Page 66 of Betrayed

AJ patiently coaxed the details of my nightmare out of me. It wasn’t hard; I wanted to talk to him.

It wasn’t long before I yawned more than I talked.

“Let’s get you to bed.”

When AJ stood and offered me a hand, I happily put my hand in his and let him help me stand.

He walked me to my room but didn’t come in. “I’m right next door if you need me.”

“Okay.” I nodded. I could still feel his eyes on me as I walked into the room. “Thank you, AJ. Good night.”

“Good night, Blake.” AJ pulled the door closed; but it didn’t latch.

After changing and cleaning up, I crawled into bed and hugged the second pillow, wishing I was home in my own bed.

I tossed and turned most of the night, not getting more than a few hours of fitful sleep at a time. I finally gave up as the sunrose over the horizon and dragged myself out of bed. Maybe a hot shower would help me feel better.

And coffee. Lots and lots of coffee.

Chapter 33

AJ

I’d tossed and turned through most of the night. In an attempt to calm my mind, I walked the interior anytime I woke up, checking on Blake each time. From the sound of it, she hadn’t slept well either.

Needing to disrupt the freight train of negative thoughts plowing through my mind, I called Jack.

“Sheppard. Everything okay?”

I couldn’t blame him for his concern; it was three am. “Yeah, I couldn’t sleep, so I thought I’d see if you needed anything?” I lied.

“I could use a bathroom break,” he answered. “And some coffee.”

“I’ll start a pot and throw some shoes on. Meet you at the door in three.”

“Sounds good.”

We’d agreed to switch places after ten minutes, so I took advantage of the space and walked around the front of the house to really stretch my legs and work off my nervous energy, while Jack took advantage of the modern plumbing.

The blast of cool, fresh air did me good because I fell asleep easily after my walk.

I woke up two hours later and didn’t bother going back to sleep. Instead, I did some bodyweight exercises after checking the house again.

After a quick shower, I brewed a fresh pot of coffee and started breakfast. I prepped everything I’d need to make omelets and cleaned up the living room. I couldn’t vacuum, so I read until Blake woke up.

Blake's footsteps disrupted my reading. I gave up entirely when I heard the water running.Fucking thin walls. Fantasizing about her small, curvy body in the shower, suds running down her silky smooth skin, was the last thing I needed.

I forced myself to walk through the entire house in my mind, trying to remember every detail of every room.

When Blake joined me in the kitchen, her hair was still damp.Don’t think about the fantasy. Don’t think about the fantasy.

“Thanks for making coffee.”

“You’re welcome. Want an omelet?” I asked, as if I wasn’t just envisioning her naked.

She nodded as she poured and doctored her coffee.

I let her enjoy her coffee for a few minutes while I started the sausage links on the stove. I’d cook the omelet after the links were done.

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