Page 21 of Laying it Bare on the Run

“Not smart enough to not be caught in the crosshairs of Waik and his goons.” She frowned around her own crispy slice.

“Monster scum like Waik don’t care if you’re rich, smart, young; it doesn’t matter. If they feel as if you are in their way or a problem, they don’t discriminate. They are equal opportunity fuckers.” I rubbed the backs of my fingers along her cheek. “You’ve been very smart and have done everything right, especially coming home with me.” I gave her a crooked smile in the hopes to lighten a very dark situation. “I’m sorry I keep making you sad because our conversation somehow always keeps circling around to this topic. We should talk about something else. Something fun or happy.”

“What are your plans for today? Don’t let me keep you from them. I can lazy around here if you had stuff planned. I don’t want to disrupt your day.” She stood from her seat and carried her dishes to the sink to rinse. “I’m sorry I just left my dishes in your sink yesterday. That was rather rude. I’m a guest and should be helping out. I wasn’t really paying attention.” She loaded her dishes into the dishwasher.

I circled the bar and joined her at the sink. “It’s no big deal. You’ve had a lot on your mind. It didn’t take much to place yours in there when I was cleaning up. I thought nothing of it. And as for my plans for the day; they were to spend it with you. Actually, I really didn’t have any plans other than to relax and now that I met you I want to do that with you. Is that okay?”

“I’m not sure I know how to relax anymore.” Her lips pressed into a thin line as she shrugged. “But I will say this much, last night was the first in a long time that I didn’t have a nightmare. At least not one that I remember.”

“Well, we won’t sit around and do nothing. That will give you too much time to get inside your head and think about things we don’t need to worry about at the moment. We’ll do some fun and relaxing things. Trust me.” I gave her my most engaging smile.

“I can do that. Guess I should go put on other clothes.”

“Yes. And then we need to order you some things. I’ll meet you in the living room in like ten minutes.” I waited until she started down the hall before following her to my own room.

Less than ten minutes later, I was sitting on the couch, computer on my lap, the site opened and ready for us to select items to order.

Harper walked in about five minutes later dressed in another pair of gray yoga pants – since my sister had stayed with me for about six months, I was well versed in women’s clothes – and a pink t-shirt. Her hair hung in loose blonde waves and she didn’t have a stitch of makeup on, but she was stunning.

I patted the seat beside me. “I know you don’t want me buying you stuff but you need some things. And we can pretend you are putting them on your credit card to pay on later if that makes you feel better.” I smirked at her.

Her returning smile was gorgeous. “How do you manage to make me feel better about things I shouldn’t?”

“My winning personality?”

She raised an eyebrow at me.

“I was going to say my rugged good looks. But I didn’t want to come across as too cocky. But it’s okay if you think that too.” I teased.

That comment got me an eye roll from her. I loved it. “Let’s get this over with before I talk myself out of it again. Although I’m sure you’ll talk me back into it.” She plopped down beside me.

“No doubt.” I clicked around the site while we discussed getting her a couple pair of shorts, some tops, another pair of jeans, and some more yoga pants. I even talked her into a couple sundresses and a pair of sandals. “You are more than welcome to keep my sister’s shoes. If she didn’t take them it meant she didn’t want them. But if you want your own pair, we can do that. It’s up to you. Oh shit, how could I forget bras and panties?” I swallowed loudly as I handed her the laptop. “You take care of that part. I don’t know if I can handle witnessing that.”

“Why? Because you don’t want me to get any or so you don’t end up imagining me in them?” She slapped a hand to her mouth and her eyes grew wide as her cheeks turned a gorgeous shade of pink. “Why does my mouth spew that shit around you?”

I loved it. But I wasn’t going to tell her that and I wasn’t going to admit to her second guess either. However, I would definitely be imagining her in them. And out of them. I mentally shook my naughty thoughts away.Patience. Don’t come on too strong. “It’s okay to let loose and have fun. I’m glad you’re comfortable around me.”And soon I hope to have so much more of you.

“I think it’s more than comfort.” She mumbled and rolled her eyes again.

Not sure if she had meant for me to hear that last bit, I ignored it. “If you get chilly and need a sweatshirt or something, I have some you can borrow, unless you want your own.”

“I can borrow one of yours; that is fine.” She clicked around on the computer before handing it back to me. “All taken care of.”

“When we are finished here, should I look into ordering a bed then? Or did sleeping in mine meet your expectations?”

She gazed at me with a look as if I had asked her to solve a difficult scientific computation, her expression serious for several minutes. “You don’t have to buy another bed. I’ll sleep in yours. It really wasn’t that bad.” She smirked at me.

Thrilled she was on board with sleeping in my bed, I tossed her reaction aside for now – I couldn’t get too excited, I needed to take things slowly with her – and shifted my attention back to my computer. After a few more taps, I had our order submitted. “Your clothes will be here in two days. I can wash a load of clothes today so that you have some things until then. Did you find any shorts in Kaylie’s drawers? I wanted to walk outside for a little and get you some fresh air but I don’t want you to get too hot. Unless the heat doesn’t bother you much. Then I thought we’d bake a batch of cookies.”

She twisted to look at me with an adorable shocked expression on her face. “You bake too? Or are you just trying to find something I’d like to do?”

“I bake, but don’t tell the guys. Or I’ll just deny it. So go pull on some shorts.”

“I didn’t see any but that’s okay because I’ve been rather chilly lately, even in the heat. So I can go out like this. I’m not up for any marathons though.” She gave me a silly smile.

Her iron was probably low. But I was pretty certain I had shrimp and broccoli in my freezer. So that would be dinner tonight. And I was due to grocery shop soon anyway. I logged off of my computer, set it on the coffee table, and then stood and stretched my hand out to Harper. “I want to show you my property. So let’s go enjoy some sunshine.”

She slipped her hand into mine and I tugged her up to me before walking to the front door to snatch our shoes and then leading her out back to my deck. Outside, the sun was high in the sky and heating the day well into the eighties. Although we were sure to peak into the nineties before it set later this evening. And the humid breeze blowing didn’t bring us any relief. We wouldn’t be out really long, just long enough to get Harper some fresh air and vitamin D. Besides, I didn’t mind being out in the heat even if my main reason was for Harper. The humidity was sometimes a bit to take but I loved summer and even if I hadn’t, Harper needed the warmth. The air conditioning when we stepped back inside would relieve me.

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