Page 23 of Axe-ing for Trouble
Pinning down the mystery shampoo was a strange coping mechanism after a one-night stand, I supposed. It was how I handled the utter disappointment that consumed me when she disappeared without a trace. I used it all the time, eager to relive the memories produced when I did.
Round after round, I pulled out all the stops to keep up with her prowess on the Scrabble board. We devoured an impressive amount of cheese and fought over words and spellings endlessly.
It was the most fun I’d had in months.
In the end, she beat me. I had a respectable showing, but I slyly downloaded a Scrabble game on my phone so I could practice before our next match.
After, while she brushed her teeth, I cleaned up and let Ripley out. When she returned, she arranged the pillows on the couch with her good arm, her expression still bright.
“Why don’t you just sleep in the bed?”
That stole all the light from her eyes instantly. “I’m sleeping on the couch.”
“You’re injured.”
“I’ll live.”
I shook my head. Damn stubborn woman. She’d let me wash her naked body today, yet she drew the line at sleeping in my bed?
After all these years, I still wasn’t good at reading people.
It was one of the reasons I enjoyed my solitude here. People were so confusing. Especially women. I always worried about saying the wrong thing or not saying enough.
For the life of me, I could not understand why she was passing up a very comfy bed, but it wasn’t worth the argument. Like last night, I’d wait until she was out cold, then I’d pick her up and take her to the bed.
I brought her a glass of water and her medicine.
“This was fun.” She popped the pills into her mouth, then washed them down easily. “Rematch tomorrow?”
“Yes.” I dipped my chin. “I will redeem myself.”
Her lips twitched. “I was rusty. I’ll double this score.”
“Sure you will, Trouble.”
Once she was settled on the couch, I let Ripley inside and turned off the exterior lights.
“Being stuck here,” I said slowly. “It’s not so bad, is it?”
She scrunched up her nose. “No. It’s nice. I adore Ripley, and you’re growing on me.”
I couldn’t help the smile spreading across my face.
“But,” she continued. “I’d give my left tit for some Doritos, or maybe a bag of Skittles.”
I shook my head. This woman wanted to kill me. With a couple of steps closer, I crossed my arms and loomed over her.
“Shame,” I said, biting my bottom lip. “The left one is my favorite.”
Her eyes widened in shock, and her jaw dropped.
We’d yet to discuss our hookup. We’d danced around it and ignored it, but she’d opened the door wide and let the topic in.
While she gaped up at me, a flush crept its way up her neck.
I held on to my cocky expression for another moment before laughter burst out of me.
At first, she reared back, bewildered. But she quickly joined in, laughing gently while holding her ribs.
