Page 19 of Secret Admirer

“Oh God, I guess I didn’t explain myself well enough earlier,” she laughs for a second. Her whole body relaxes, losing the tension I hadn’t noticed it was holding. “I can’t imagine what you must have thought.”

I shrug feeling stupid that I hadn’t realized the town did it for a reason. “I thought it was a little overboard, but in a good way. It’s…cheerful in a way. Makes the city as a whole seem homey. Welcoming. At least that’s the way it makes me feel.”

“Oh,” she smiles, “that’s the way it should be. Is that what made you stay?”

“Part of it.”

Coco’s gaze travels down my torso and stops. Looking down, I realize that the robe she provided me is laying open, and she’s stuck on my very tiny pair of underwear. I can’t remember where I found them, but they fit so I wear them. They’re men’s bikini briefs with polka dots on them. Not very manly, but beggars can’t be choosers. I pull the robe closed and once again lean back against the wall.

“You’re a beautiful man, Bodhi. You shouldn’t hide yourself.”

10

Coco

Holy fucking shit!Bodhi’s body is banging. Who knew he had such an amazing physique underneath his clothes? I knew he wasn’t in bad shape and on more than one occasion, I’d checked out his tanned muscular legs, but that was just a peek. Now I’m seeing the whole enchilada. Well, almost everything. I desperately want to see what he’s packing without the polka-dotted underwear hindering the view.

Holding his robe closed after he tied it tightly, I watch as his cheeks pink up—at least I think they do. It’s hard to tell with all his hair, but with the way he keeps his eyes trained on the floor between us, it’s a pretty good bet. It’s cute. I can’t remember the last time a guy blushed around me. Maybe middle school?

A shiver wracks my body and Bodhi immediately sits up straight. “You should probably get out and I should…go. You need your sleep.” He stands as if ready to bolt out the door. I appreciate the way he hasn’t ogled my body even when he had the chance, and in turn, I feel safer with him here.

When I start to stand, he turns around so quickly the robe flies out. “Bodhi,” I call, wrapping a towel around myself. It’s nice and warm from the warming rack giving a false sense of security.

“Yeah?” he asks, examining his toes.

“Do you think you could sit with me for a while? I could turn on a movie or something. The cable is hooked up. I’m…scared to be alone right now. Every time I close my eyes—”

“Say no more,” he interrupts, his voice rougher than normal. His hand flexes on the door frame.

“Thanks. I’ll be out in a few minutes,” I say to give him a reprieve. I can’t understand how a man that big is so shy, but he is, and I find it extremely endearing. As much as I want to know Bodhi’s full story, I won’t push him.

I quickly dry off and run a towel through my hair before slipping on another pair of sweats. They’re big and oh so comfortable as I drown in the soft fabric.

Padding down the hallway, I spot Bodhi on the couch looking down at the remote in his large hands with furrowed brows and his lips turned down.

Shit. I totally forgot that it took me almost two months to figure out how to work that damn remote.

“Do you want anything while I’m up?” I peek at him from over my shoulder as I make my way to the kitchen to get a bottle of water for myself.

“Uh…” He’s wide-eyed as if I just asked him to save the Earth. He tightens the robe around him looking uncomfortable. I wish I had something else for him to wear so he’d be more comfortable, but I don’t mind seeing so much of him and secretly hope the robe falls open again. “If it’s not too much trouble I’ll take a water.”

“Of course, it’s no trouble. Do you care if I turn on the fireplace? It makes me feel…safe in a way.”

With sad eyes, he replies, “Like home.”

Where’s home for Bodhi?

After retrieving the water, I sit down on the couch as close to Bodhi as I can without making him uncomfortable, I can’t help but trail my eyes up his toned and tanned legs. Hell, even his feet are sexy.What the hell is wrong with me?You’d think I’d never been this close to a man. Bodhi has an amazing body that on any other day, I’d have no problem licking every inch of, but the scraggly hair that reaches past his shoulders and the unkempt beard are too much. All I can see are his eyes, the tops of his cheeks and his scrumptious lips, and with a body like a Greek God, underneath all that hair he’s gotta be ugly. Why else would he be covering up his face?

“I couldn’t figure out this thing.” He fiddles with the remote and I realize I’ve spent too long staring.

Trading his water for the remote, I sink back into the cushions and pull a blanket onto my lap. “What are you in the mood for?”

Bodhi’s so quiet that I finally look over at him to find him staring down at his water bottle. How insensitive can I be? Who knows how long it’s been since he’s watched TV?

“I haven’t been sleeping the best lately and I’ve been binge watching Friends. Have you ever watched it?” I don’t try to hide the hopeful tone in my voice.

Shaking his head at me, he wrinkles his nose. “I’ve caught it a time or two, but it seemed like a chick show.”

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