Ava
Ifeel like I’ve just gotten onto the back of his bike when he’s stopping. He only went a short distance down the road, and now he’s stopping outside of a one-story rancher. The moonlight is bright here in Texas, and there are a thousand stars in the sky.
My mind is racing, and the first thing I think of is that we’re completely alone out here. I follow him through the house, and he shows me the spare bedroom, kitchen, living room, and bathrooms.
When we make it to the living room again, he stops. “You look like you’re about to fall on your face. You want a bed or shower first?”
“Shower, definitely.” I was on a train for over twenty-five hours. I feel a whole new level of filth at this point.
He leads me down a hallway and to a bathroom. He pulls out a drawer, and there’s random girl stuff in it. “Anything you need, feel free to use it.”
He shows me where the towels are and hands me a shirt.
He backs out of the bathroom, and as soon as he closes the door, I start to undress.
I grab a few things from the drawer and start the water, turning it all the way to hot. I shower, and even though I intended to be in and out, the feel of the hot water on my weary body has me staying in way longer than I should have.
When I’m out, I search the girly drawer and find a hairbrush. I pull it through my hair, wondering about the woman that left her stuff here. I don’t know why it bothers me, but it does. It’s none of my business.
When I’m dried off, I put on the shirt he handed me, and even though it’s clean, it still smells of him. I hate the idea of sitting around without underwear, but there’s no way I am going to put the ones I’ve been wearing back on. I walk out of the bathroom and find Tank sitting in the living room.
He jumps up and reaches for the dirty pile of clothes in my hand.
I try to pull back, but I’m not quick enough. “Uh, I can wash them. My underwear is in there.” I barely resist smacking myself on the head. Why did I say that?
“It’s fine. I’ll just drop them in so you’ll have something clean to wear tomorrow.”
He walks down the hall toward the laundry room, and I curl up in a ball on the couch, pulling his oversized shirt over my legs.
I hear his heavy footsteps coming back down the hall, but I stay in my cocooned position, not even lifting my head.
He stops as soon as he sees me and then walks quietly into the room. “There’s a spare bedroom.”
I feel like I can barely keep my eyes open. “This is fine.”
Tank comes over and squats down next to me. “Ava, you’ll be more comfortable in a bed, honey.”
“I’m fine—" I start, but before I get the words out, Tank is sliding his hands under me and lifting me up.
I put my arms around his neck, and he stares straight ahead. “You’re exhausted and need sleep. No one will bother you here.”
He holds me in his arm, using his raised leg to help support me as he pulls down the bed with his other hand. He lays me down and covers me up, tucking the bed covers around me. I grab on to his hand, wide awake now. “Is there anyone that would be mad about me being here?”
He’s gruff. “It’s no one’s business that you’re here.”
I don’t stop, though. “I mean, your girlfriend, is she going to be okay with it?”
His eyes meet mine, and he shakes his head. “I don’t have a girlfriend.”
I swallow hard. I was thinking that he was off limits. I’m not one that would go after a man that was already involved. Knowing that he’s not taken has a tremble go through my body. “Oh, I just thought with all the stuff in your bathroom...”
I let my voice trail off, and he continues, “Nope, that’s stuff my sister leaves here when she comes. I’ve never had a woman here before.” He tilts his head to the side, looking at me. “Are you warm enough? I can get you some more covers or turn the heat up.”
I release him then and let the newfound news settle over me. “No, I’m warm enough.”
He raises up and starts to leave me, only stopping when he hears me call his name. “Thanks, Tank. Thanks for taking me in. I’ll be out of your hair soon. I just need to rest.” I let my eyes close then, and even though I’m exhausted, I’m pretty sure I already know what’s going to be filling my dreams.