Page 105 of Rooster

"I was distracted."

"I know you were, " I say as he dresses, pulling on a pair of sweats and a clean t-shirt from his dresser.

"Better," I tell him as I approach and run my finger through his unruly hair.

He leans forward, mouth prepared to take mine, and I have to pull back at the last second because as much as I want to spend every second kissing this man, I'm starving.

"Food," I say, pressing my lips to his cheek.

He gives my ass a rough squeeze before taking my hand and pulling me from the room.

"It's early afternoon, but I'm still craving breakfast," he says as we make our way down the stairs.

"I'm not the best cook," I confess.

"Breakfast is the one thing I can cook."

"Good," I say with a wide smile. "I was going to ask about delivery if you offered another Hot Pocket or something similar."

His laughter draws the attention of everyone in the kitchen when we clear the bottom of the stairs, and I feel like I'm under a microscope as the guys look in my direction.

Yesterday was so hard for me, and knowing they've all seen me victimized doesn't make me entering the room any easier. Robert tightens his grip on my hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze as we walk up to the kitchen island.

"Good afternoon," Ellis says, prompting Kaylee to turn from the stove.

"Hey," she says with a wide smile, her eyes searching mine as if she trying to figure out if I'm really okay.

"Good afternoon," I manage as Robert releases my hand and makes his way to the fridge to get supplies for breakfast.

"You okay?" Bandera asks.

I give him a little nod. "Thank you for asking."

"Can we talk?" Kaylee asks, and I don't miss the way she runs her hand along Ellis's back before walking toward me. A few weeks ago I would've questioned her sanity. I would've wanted to know what was so special about any man that made a woman need to touch them before stepping away from them, even for a few minutes. Now I fully understand, and it slams right into my chest, the knowledge that I'm madly in love with Robert Stewart.

I lift my eyes, finding him across the room, grinning at me as if he can read my mind. He gives me a little wink before Kaylee grabs my hand and pulls me from the kitchen.

"Are you really okay?" she asks as she pulls me down beside her on the sofa.

"I mean," I begin, knowing that there are compartments of my life that aren't great. "Some parts are okay."

"Do you want me to ask about the okay parts or the not-okay parts to start with?" she asks, giving me a gentle smile.

"Robert is great," I say, making the choice on my own. "We're together now."

Her smile grows wider. "I knew you guys would end up together. That man watches you like you hung the moon."

I dart my eyes toward the kitchen. We can still see the guys chatting because of the open floor plan, but I know they can't hear what we're saying.

"The not-okay parts?" Kaylee prods. "If you can talk about them right now."

"I don't want to leave," I confess. "And I don't mean in a stay in bed all day and make love to him sort of way, even though I feel that as well."

"In the you're scared you're not safe if you leave the house sort of way?" she asks, giving me a sad smile when I nod my confirmation. "I completely understand that. So don't leave."

"I have work," I argue.

"You hate your job," she reminds me. "You have enough skills and connections to find something that's work from home anyway."

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