Page 89 of Into These Eyes
He sounds so hopeful, like it’s something enjoyable. “You don’t need to—“
“It’d make me feel a hell of a lot more useful.”
My heart swells for him. All his worth seems to be contingent on what he can contribute. Already, I know he’s so much more than that. “I’m happy for you to do whatever you want. Although the inside was renovated not that long ago, the outside’s definitely been neglected. Just let me know if you need anything.” I make a mental note to give him one of my debit cards, knowing he’d find it demeaning to ask for money every time he needs to buy something.
“Would you mind if Benny helped out?
“Of course not.” He’s so sweet, always thinking of ways to not only stay close to Benny, but make him feel useful as well. “Benny doesn’t have a job?”
“He’s not on parole, so it’s not required. But he does still need to look for one to get his government assistance payment. Problem is, he’s a twice convicted murderer and he’s sixty. It’ll be one hell of feat for him to actually land one.”
“Well, I think it’s a wonderful idea to keep having him over to help you.”
“Great. Now, get in here. Water’s amazing.”
That look in his eyes tells me everything I need to know. He’s baiting me. Putting my hand on top of his clothes, I decide to call his bluff.
“I’ll need to get changed. Should I take these inside for you?”
“Sure,” he says without missing a beat.
I stand and scoop his clothes into my arms, then pick up the towels. “And these?”
“That’s totally up to you …”
Oh, he thinks I’m kidding. I take a few steps toward the house.
“And whether you want me traipsing through the house dripping wet,” he says, the smirk in his voice all too easy to hear.
Now he’s calling my bluff. I consider the reality of being confronted with him in the house, naked and wet. Heat shoots between my thighs. It seems too real, too possible, too tempting. I quickly drop the towels on the sunbed and dash toward the house.
I don’t want to ruin what we have here. He needs my help, and I’ve discovered over these last few days that while I might notneedhis help, I desperatelywantit.
There’s something simmering between us. But I don’t know him well enough yet to figure out if he’s genuinely interested in me, or if he’s just interested because I happen to be female. Afterbeing deprived for so long, he probably looks at all women the way he looks at me.
I don’t even trust what’s going on inside my own mind and body. It’s possible that our shared connection—the shitty hands we’ve been dealt—is the reason I feel this way. To find someone who completely understands what I’ve been through is, after all, an attraction all its own.
Letting anything happen other than friendship might ruin everything. I can’t let emotion get in the way. I want to provide him with a life that doesn’t involve living in a caravan and searching for mediocre jobs only a convicted murderer can get.
Until his name is cleared, I want him to have some luxury, to know someone cares about him.
Because once I do my job, he’ll be free.
Untethered.
From me.
And already, I’m not sure how I’ll go back to the way things were.
I scoff at that thought.
The way things were no longer exists.
Chapter 28
Gavin
The moment she disappears inside, I haul myself out of the pool, grab a towel and throw it over my left shoulder, making sure it covers my tattoo. Only then do I bother wrapping the other towel around my waist. Having her see the state of my heart on the outside of my chest leaves me feeling far more exposed and vulnerable than her seeing my dick.
