Chapter Seven
She pressed her head against the door. God, she wanted to believe him so much, but she was tired and afraid to put any faith in anyone because she just ended up being disappointed.
“Baby, open the door. I’m sure you know I could get in in less than a minute. This place isn’t secure at all.”
Yeah, she did know. That was why she couldn’t get any sleep and why she was working as much as she could so she could move into a better place.
She sighed as she moved the chair out of the way to unlock the door and open it. Just like every other time, her first glimpse of him set her heart to racing and desire built.
He shut and locked the door, then studied her. She was still in her jeans and t-shirt from work.
Kyla inhaled sharply when he cupped her chin and raised her head.
“God, sweetheart, you’re exhausted. Let me take care of you.”
“How?”
“I’m going to get you bathed, fed, and into bed. We’ll head back tomorrow.”
“And if I don’t want to go back?”
“Tell me what you have here that surpasses everyone who cares for you at home?”
She shrugged. “I’m still not sure anyone cares. I think you all feel guilty for some reason, and it’s silly.”
“Maybe there is some guilt involved, at least on my part, but it is mostly love. I don’t think you realize how many people care about you. But tonight, let’s get you taken care of.”
She showed him where her tiny bathroom was. It only held a small pedestal sink, toilet, and a cramped shower that she had difficulty washing in, even with her small size.
Duncan started the shower, then turned back to her and started lifting her shirt over her head.
“Hey, wait.”
“Sweetheart, you need to let me help. I can see you sway as we speak. You’re lucky I’m not stripping down so I can get in there with you to help. Now let go of the shirt. Trust me, baby. Everything’s going to be okay.”
She exhaled and dropped her arms until he needed them raised to pull off the shirt.
“That’s a good girl. Now the jeans and underwear.”
Before she knew it, she was standing in front of him naked, and he ushered her into the shower.
“Try to hurry and keep your hair up for now, so it doesn’t get wet.”
Kyla had her hair in a high ponytail that she went to work with every day. She washed quickly and turned off the water.
“I’m right here with a towel.”
“All right.” She was too tired to argue about anything, so she let him take over.
****
He wrapped her in a towel as she stepped out. She stood docile while he dried her and then pulled her into the bedroom and slipped a nightgown over her head.
He gritted his teeth. All she had was a mattress on the floor, and she used boxes to store her clothing. Besides that, there was no other furniture. He’d only glanced into her living room because his focus was on her, but he’d seen the same lack of anything besides a chair that looked like it came out of a dumpster and a chipped lamp that sat on the floor.
How could she have lived like this for two weeks?
“Why don’t you lie down, and I’ll check and see what food you have here.”