Page 27 of Secret Admirer

“I wasn’t thinking. I only wanted to get to you before you were too far gone.” I bite the inside of my cheek. “Probably not the smartest thing to do when someone was out here last night.”

Keeping his eyes on the house, he pulls me along. “You stay out here while I check inside.”

Now that I’m thinking clearly, I don’t want to stay outside. What if he comes back? What if he came back while the house was open and is inside waiting for Bodhi?

Stepping inside, I call out to him when I don’t see him. “Bodhi?”

“Still checking. Go back out until I know everything is fine in here,” he yells from what sounds like upstairs. He might be sweet and sensitive, but he can also be bossy it seems. I don’t mind though since it’s for my wellbeing.

Since I haven’t lived in the house long, I go sit at the pool. I have yet to use it, but I plan to rectify that starting now. Pulling my sweatpants up to my knees, I hang my feet in the water. The cool water feels great on my sticky skin after chasing Bodhi down. Leaning back, I tilt my head up to the sky wondering if Bodhi came back to the house with me because he wants a ride back or for another reason. I’d like to think it has something or everything to do with me.

“You were supposed to stay alert and outside,” he huffs, sitting down beside me.

Slipping his shoes and socks off, he sits down beside me and lets his long legs dangle in the water. “The house is safe in case you were wondering.”

Turning to look at him with my hand shielding my eyes from the sun, I see a smirk on his handsome face. Seems like he’s forgiven me.

“I figured otherwise you’d be dragging me off and calling the cops.”

Shaking his head, he smiles down at me. “I’d be in there fighting to the death if someone was in your house to hurt you.”

I giggle. He’s more like an angel with the sun around him, blinding me. “Are you my knight in shining armor?”

Wheeling back to face the pool, Bodhi hangs his head. “I’m no one’s knight. Not even to myself. Don’t put too much stock in me or you’ll wind up disappointed.” The dejected tone in his voice kills me and I know I need to figure out a way for him to believe in himself again.

“I beg to disagree. You saved me twice last night.”

Bodhi opens his mouth, but I hold my hand up. I don’t want to hear his disagreement and I want to talk about earlier.

“About earlier when you left…I’m sorry. I was thinking about how sweet and caring you are. It's not a trait you find in most men or, at least, none that I’ve known. I’m sorry I was so lost in my head that you felt the need to leave. I’m glad you came back with me.” I smile shyly up at him. “And I’m happy to know it's been you leaving me flowers every day. It was you, right?”

I’d feel like an ass if it wasn’t and I just assumed because he brought me flowers this morning. Maybe he was just trying to cheer me up after a less than spectacular day yesterday.

Shit!What if I had this all wrong?

“It was me. The first time I saw you, you were crying, and I wanted to do something to make you feel better.” Bodhi runs his hands down his shorts. “I had nothing, but I thought maybe a flower would cheer you up, and then I saw your smile when you found it. After that moment, I couldn’t stop bringing you a flower each morning.”

I’m near to bursting with happiness on the inside, but I keep it to myself. He seems almost embarrassed by his actions. “They brightened up each day, and I looked forward to getting one from my secret admirer. That’s what Trixie started calling you. I tried to envision who would bring me flowers…it was a very pleasant surprise to know it was you all along. Thank you.” I lean up and kiss him on the cheek.

Bodhi’s body tenses and I quickly draw away.

“So,” I draw out the word, “I was thinking while you were inside that I haven’t had a chance to enjoy the pool since I moved in and today’s the perfect day to lounge around and soak up the sun. What do you say?”

Kicking his feet in the water, he leans back on his forearms. “You want me to stay and swim with you?”

Leaning back like him, I tilt my head to him. “Why wouldn’t I? I think it will be nice and if you’re worried about making it work, don’t be. I promise to get you back in time.”

“If you don’t mind me hanging out in my underwear again?” He laughs looking down at himself.

If it was up to me, I’d have Bodhi in only his underwear all the time, but I’m not sure he’s ready for that.

I shrug and give him a smug smile. “I don’t mind if you don’t mind seeing me in my bikini.”

Bodhi’s Adam’s apple bobs and I want to cheer. He likes me, but something is holding him back. From my experience with men, I’m sure me living in this palatial house is intimidating, especially when he’s living at a homeless shelter. If I had brought him back to my old apartment, maybe he’d feel differently, but I’m unsure. The only thing I can do is try to make him feel welcome and show him I don’t care about how much money he has. I just hope he lets me.

* * *

A couple hours later and I’m nice and bronze. Bodhi now has a deep tan that makes his Caribbean blue eyes pop. I swear his hair has lightened in the short amount of time in the sun. He watches me from his raft, one long leg drifting in the water, eyes glued to my breasts like they have been for the last hour.

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