Total pages in book: 38
Estimated words: 36019 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 180(@200wpm)___ 144(@250wpm)___ 120(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36019 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 180(@200wpm)___ 144(@250wpm)___ 120(@300wpm)
He definitely was. I’d never felt more at ease in a strange place, which should’ve been impossible given everything I’d been through. But being near Reid had anchored me in a way nothing else had. Even sound asleep.
I didn’t know what to make of that since we just met each other yesterday.
“I did,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. “Thank you.”
He didn’t say anything right away, holding my gaze as he let the silence stretch. It wasn’t awkward, just weighted with something that made my breath catch.
Reid tilted his head toward the door. “You hungry for something heartier than that light shit Blade had you stick with yesterday?”
I thought about it for a moment before shaking my head. “Actually, I think I’d rather shower first, if that’s okay. I figure hot water will help with the soreness.”
His jaw flexed, the muscles ticking as his nostrils flared. “Of course. I’ll get you some ibuprofen, too.”
He stood in one fluid motion, my eyes trailing over every inch as his tall frame unfolded. Gray sweatpants hung low on his hips, and his butt looked great in them. After he grabbed a similar pair in black and a matching T-shirt, he strode toward my side of the bed, and I realized the front view was even better.
I finally understood why there were so many memes about guys in gray sweats. And the need for a cold shower…because it was very hot in here all of a sudden.
It took me a second to shake myself out of my stupor when he held a clean T-shirt out to me. “This should work for today.”
I briefly considered letting him know that I had a change of clothes in the trunk of my car for when I got dirty in the field, but I preferred the idea of wearing his clothes instead. “Thanks.”
Our fingers brushed when I reached out, and a jolt passed between us.
We looked at each other. And for a second, it felt as though the world had narrowed to just that single point of contact.
Reid was the one to break it. Clearing his throat again, he took a step back, and his hand fell away.
“There are towels, soap, whatever you need in the bathroom.”
I nodded, clutching the soft cotton clothes to my chest. “Thanks.”
Every line of his body was taut with tension as he turned away. I stepped into the bathroom and shut the door behind me with a firm click.
After turning on the shower so the water could heat, I caught my reflection in the mirror as I peeled off the borrowed T-shirt I slept in.
My shoulder was bruised and still a little swollen. I was only a little tender in a few other places. But still alive.
Because of Reid.
I took a deep breath and stepped into the shower, wincing a little as the spray hit my shoulder. The water was already warm, and steam curled around me until the world outside faded away. I leaned forward, pressing my forehead to the cool tile, and let the heat soak into my skin.
Maybe it was the shock of everything that happened yesterday finally wearing off. Or the silence.
But all I could think about was Reid.
I squeezed my eyes shut, water streaming down my face. I was trying so hard not to read too much into things and get ahead of myself. But when a man looked at you as though he’d burn the world to keep you safe, it was hard to stay grounded.
I’d hoped the shower would help me get my head on straight, but using his toiletries only made it worse. Now I smelled like him.
After I dried off, I put Reid’s clothes on and felt even more surrounded by him.
My breath shuddered as I dragged it into my lungs, my pulse racing.
This wasn’t just gratitude. And I didn’t think it was only due to hormones either, though those were definitely in play.
My reaction to him was too strong. He’d pulled me from the rubble, but now I was in way over my head in a different way…and I didn’t want to climb out.
7
WRECKER
Steam curled from the bathroom door when it creaked open, drifting in lazy ribbons through the cooler air of my room. I looked up from where I was seated at the end of the bed, boots planted wide, arms braced on my thighs.
Peyton stepped out barefoot, and I froze.
Her hair was damp against her shoulders, and my shirt hung from her frame like a fucking gift-wrapped fantasy. The fabric swallowed her, the hem brushing the tops of her thighs, the sleeves too long, and the collar slouching off one delicate shoulder to reveal her smooth skin and a teasing strip of collarbone. She looked fresh, and her skin was flushed from the heat. Or maybe she’d been thinking about me. Either way, my cock noticed before my brain had a chance to issue a warning.