Page 53 of In Full Bloom

“First of all, you’re not driving anywhere right now, let alone with Lady Sadie in the car. Did you see the painkillers they gave you?”

Dallas scowls at me this time. “My daughter needs picking up. What else do you suggest I do? Leave her at school?”

“No,” I say, folding my arms across my chest. “Stop being a jerk, it’s not my fault you hurt yourself. If you gave me a second I’d tell you that we can wait in town and head back after we pick her up.”

Dallas blinks at me. “Don’t you have things to do?”

I peer at him. “You’re the boss, you tell me.”

He cracks a small smile at that. “You’ve wasted a whole day babysitting me because of my own stupidity. I don’t want to waste more of your time.”

“I get the afternoon off, what part of that doesn’t sound great to you?”

He laughs properly this time. “Okay. What did you have in mind for us to do with this time off?”

“Well, first we need to feed you, because you shouldn’t be on painkillers like that without decent food in you. And also, I’m hungry. Then we can do whatever, but I suggest hanging out at my place, because then I can have a nap. You can watch TV or whatever.”

“Do I get a nap too?” His gaze connects with mine and it causes my heart to do that weird hitching thing I’ve been feeling way too often around him. His eyes are dark and intent on mine.

I clear the block from my throat and shrug. “Sure, if you want.”

“Alright, sounds good,” he says, his voice rough and low.

Goosebumps skitter over my skin and I turn away, pulling the keys from my pocket.

“Hey, princess,” Dallas says, reaching out and snagging my wrist. I twist back to face him and try to ignore the way he’s tracing his thumb across my pulse point, sending more shivers my way. “Thank you,” he says.

I shrug him off, trying to pretend I’m not affected by him in the slightest. The truth is, I am. Constantly. He’s always on my mind and I can’t seem to stop touching him.

I want his hands on me again, rough but gentle. I want his mouth on mine and his scent filling my nose. I want to feel him shiver as I trail my fingers across his skin. I want to relive every moment of our night together, and more.

But I shouldn’t want that. And we definitely shouldn’t go there again.

We climb into the ute and I drive to the centre of town. We grab filled rolls and danishes from Sugar, the best cafe in town, then head back to my place to eat them.

I let us into the house and immediately regret suggesting we come here.

So far, having Dallas in my house has only led to bad decisions and awkwardness.

It confuses the boundaries that are already so blurred they’re virtually non-existent. I don’t know where we stand anymore and bringing him here, into my own space, with no one else around to be a buffer is asking for trouble.

We eat in silence but the moment I swallow my last mouthful I know I have to deal with the fact Dallas is in my house … again.

“Do you want a shower?” I ask, my voice coming out hoarse.

Dallas shakes his head. “Nah, I’m good. I’ll just maybe have a sit on your couch.”

“You can lie down in the bedroom if you want,” I say and when he raises an eyebrow I can tell he’s thinking about my bed and the last time he was in it. “The spare room has a good bed,” I choke out. “I’m going to shower.”

I flee to the bathroom, wanting to shower off the sweat from this morning’s work, and the stench of hospital that’s still clinging to my skin. I only waited until after lunch because I was starting to think I’d pass out if I didn’t eat immediately.

I enjoy the heat of the water sliding down my body, easingaway the tension of the morning and the anxiety over Dallas’s wellbeing.

But, I can’t stay in here for the next hour. I need to be able to be around Dallas—even in my house without a chaperone. We’re definitely friends at this point. I should be able to be near him, have a conversation with him.

I shut off the water, dry myself off, and pull on a pair of leggings and a worn t-shirt.

Towel drying my hair as I walk, I head towards my room at the front of the house. The door to the guest room is wide open, as usual. I assume Dallas hasn’t made it to lying down yet, until I glance in and stop in my tracks.

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