Chapter 9
CHAPTER 9
NATE
Looking up from my tablet when I hear footsteps shuffling across the hardwood floor in the hallway, I listen as a door shuts. A glance at the microwave from my spot at the island tells me it’s not even six o’clock in the evening. I’m surprised that Savanna’s already awake, but Jordan isn’t home from work yet, so there’s no one else it could be.
We were both wiped when we got back to my house this morning, and after a quick tour we took showers and went to bed. I was tired after the long shift, but I know my fatigue didn’t compare to Savanna’s.
Despite my exhaustion, sleep eluded me. My mind wouldn’t shut down, replaying the last few hours over and over.
Anyone who knows me knows that I’ll help anyone in need. It’s part of my DNA. That doesn’t generally include asking a stranger to stay in my guest bedroom, though. I couldn’t help but wonder what the hell had gotten into me, but there was no stopping the words that came from my mouth. Am I crazy? No. I’m usually pretty level-headed. I have to be. But something about Savanna stirs an instinct deeper inside of me than just wanting to be helpful. It isn’t about wanting to help. I need to help.
Savanna couldn’t say no fast enough. I appreciated that I had to convince her. She’s independent and wants to take care of herself, but she also wasn’t closed off to accepting the help once the logic was laid out for her.
I like that.
Not needing more than the six hours of sleep I managed to finally get, I woke up a half hour ago. I’ll be dog tired again by midnight, but between now and then, I have a few boxes I want to get through for the accountant. If Savanna goes right back to bed like I suspect she will, I’ll be gone and back home, and she’ll be none the wiser.
But when the bathroom door opens again, I don’t hear her door close. Instead, footsteps pad down the hall, and a second later she appears in the entryway to the kitchen, bleary eyed and disheveled in a borrowed pair of my sister’s pajamas.
And holy hell, she takes my breath away as she gives me a sleepy smile, rubbing one of her eyes with the back of her hand.
The blue checkered pants hang low on her hips, revealing an inch of her stomach which looks just as tanned as the rest of her. The black t-shirt is so worn it should probably be thrown in the garbage considering I can tell she’s not wearing a bra. How could she be? I know for a fact her underwear are in the wash along with some of my clothes and the scrubs she wore from the hospital.
The blonde beauty in her sleepy state looks perfect in her rumpled condition.
It’s not the first time I’ve had to say “down boy” to my cock. When Savanna and I touched earlier, the heat between us shot straight to my dick and made him want to come out and play. Unfortunately for him, once we got home, the only thing he got was some five-finger action in the shower.
“Is it six in the morning, or six at night? I feel so disoriented,” she says, her voice raspy, the product of smoke and sleep.
The sound goes down my spine, doing nothing to help the situation in my pants. I can’t help but lick my lips, forcing my eyes to stay locked on her face rather than travel to her breasts like they want to. The blonde braid that falls over her shoulder is like an arrow to the succulent peaks.
“Evening,” I tell her, clearing my throat. “Why don’t you go back to bed? No reason you need to get up yet.”
“If I keep sleeping now, I’ll be up in the middle of the night, and it’ll be a horrible cycle,” she says, turning to eye the coffee pot. “Besides, there’s coffee, and it smells amazing.”
“Help yourself. Cups are by the sink.”
She turns to look at me, eyebrows furrowed, then looks at the cupboard near the sink before looking back at the coffee pot. “Why do you have the cups way over there?” she asks, walking over to grab one.
I shrug. “Used to keep the coffee maker over there, but switched it around a while ago.”
“You should really switch your mugs then.”
“That’s a lot of work.”
“But at least it would make sense and be organized.”
“And then I would be so confused when I got up in the morning, went to that cupboard to get a mug, and it wouldn’t be there,” I say, pinning her with a mock serious look. “Then I’d have to blame you, and I just don’t think I can have that.”
That earns me a roll of her eyes along with a chuckle as she pours herself a cup, making herself at home as she finds the sugar above the coffee and the milk in the fridge. I watch with interest as she meanders through my kitchen, locating a spoon to stir, not once asking for help. It’s like she belongs here, and I would be lying if I said I didn’t like it, which seems ridiculous given we’ve just met and nothing is going on between us.
But man, I’d like it to be.
“So,” she starts, leaning over the counter towards me with her cup of coffee in both hands.
She takes a moment to sip the warm liquid, and the look that comes over her is seductive, though I don’t think she intends it to be. My imagination runs wild, though, picturing the way she looks when she comes, and it looks damn similar to her expression thanks to that coffee. I swallow hard to keep from drooling all over the counter, reminding my cock that now is not the time.
“Oh god, that’s so good. So freaking good,” she mumbles, taking another sip, and Jesus, I don’t know if I’m going to survive while she makes love to her coffee, especially when her tongue peaks out and runs along her upper lip.
“So,” I prompt, and as if this couldn’t get worse, I swear to God my voice cracks like a teenager. I clear my throat, but when Savanna’s eyes pop open and she gives me a perplexed look, I know she heard it. She must see something on my face that tells her exactly what’s going on because she suddenly straightens and puts the mug down, clearing her own throat.
“Sorry. You make really good coffee, and I needed a caffeine fix,” she explains, but her cheeks are flushing as she says it. If there was any doubt that she was clueless as to where my mind was, it’s gone now. “So, I was, uh, going to ask what your plans were for the evening.”
That’s a much safer topic than where my head is currently, and I’m grateful for the change.
“I’m headed to the bar,” I tell her casually, bringing my own coffee mug to my lips.
Her voice shifts a couple of octaves higher when she replies, appalled, “The bar?”
I nearly spit the lukewarm liquid all over the place at the wide eyed, gaping mouth look she’s giving me. Shock and dismay meet my eyes, like she can’t quite believe I would be headed to a bar. Or maybe can’t believe it because I’ve got her here in my kitchen, staying in my guest bedroom.
I can’t help it, I laugh. “It’s not what you think,” I tell her, putting my cup down. “I’m not only a firefighter. I work in a bar as well. Own, I guess.”
“You guess?” she asks, the pitch of her voice still high with bewilderment.
“I’m still getting used to that part. Jordan and I inherited it from our uncle about six months ago,” I explain, gazing at her across the counter.
She hasn’t leaned over again like before, but she’s pressed against the hard surface of the island, making that tanned piece of skin on her stomach stand out. I’m finding it increasingly hard not to look at, but damn it, I am not Liam. I have restraint.
“I’ve worked there since I was a teenager, but it’s different now that it’s mine. And Jordan is more of a silent partner, so most of it falls on my shoulders.”
“Oh.” Savanna nods in understanding, bringing her cup to her lips to take a sip. There aren’t any moans or closed eyes this time, but I can tell she enjoys it just as much as the first drink she had, and it makes me want to puff my chest out for my stellar coffee making skills.
“If you plan on staying awake, why don’t you join me? We can grab a bite to eat.”
“Don’t you need to work?” she asks, eyes narrowing skeptically.
I shrug. If I’m being completely honest, the answer would be yes, I definitely do. With each day that passes I have less and less time to get things organized for the accountant. I’ve already wasted most of today, and if Savanna is joining me at the bar tonight, I can pretty much kiss that time goodbye as well.
Yet, I can’t find it in myself to care because I’d really love to spend the rest of this evening getting to know the woman standing across from me. It isn’t that I’m trying to shirk my responsibilities, or that I’m overwhelmed by the massive amount of work—at least that’s what I’m telling myself. It has to do with this intriguing woman, and the pull that I feel towards her.
Her gorgeous gray eyes are guarded, but inquisitive. She’s logical, but willing to go with the flow, though she hasn’t had much choice. There are things beneath the surface that I want to know more about, if she’ll tell me. Like why she’s been in Santa Rosé for six months and doesn’t know anyone enough to call them for a ride from the hospital.
It isn’t as though she’s unfriendly, or not personable. She’s sweet, adorable, and a little feisty when she’s worked up. All good qualities in my book.
“Nate…”
I hear the question in her tone. I haven’t committed to an answer, and she wants one before accepting my offer. I don’t want to lie, but I don’t want her to say no on account of me having things to do.
I settle somewhere between the two. “If it looks like they need help, I’ll leave you sitting at the bar and jump in.”
“You’ve already done so much for me, I can’t interrupt what you need to do,” she says hesitantly, but I can tell I’m coaxing her towards saying yes.
“You aren’t, I promise. I can take care of the things I need to do tomorrow,” I say, shaking my head. “And I swear I will help them if they need it.”
“I’m getting the impression you would help them out even if they didn’t need it,” Savanna says with a laugh, setting her mug down on the counter. “Okay. If you’re sure, then I think that sounds lovely. It’ll be nice to get out.”
“Because you don’t do that often,” I remark, and she sticks her tongue out, causing me to laugh.
After a quick back and forth on wearing Jordan’s clothes, I head to my sister’s dresser to grab something for Savanna to wear. This time I steer clear of the top right drawer—no brother should know about the things in that drawer when it comes to his sister.
Once I pick out a sky blue tank top with yellow writing that says ‘Sunshine and Coffee’ which seems to suit her, I meet her back in the hallway.
“Love it. That color is gorgeous,” she says with genuine pleasure over my pick. Taking it from my hands, she gives me a smile that has a shy quality to it. “Thank you, Nate. For everything. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you.”
My hand is moving before I give it permission to do so, and I tuck a piece of hair that’s strayed from her braid behind her ear. “The only thing I ask is that if you come across someone that needs help, you do what you can.” My eyes are soft as I gaze down at her, the pads of my fingers slowly running along the length of her jaw. I feel her shiver beneath my touch. “Everyone needs a hand once in a while.”
“Even you?” she whispers, her eyes locked on mine.
Help isn’t something that I take very often, from anyone, and it drives my friends and family nuts. I’m the guy that helps everyone else, and I hate to come across looking like I need it, let alone want it.
“Let’s get the rest of your clothes and we can both get ready. Then I’ll let you help me look good by having dinner with me when we get to the bar,” I tell her, not giving her a direct answer.
My suggestion has the desired effect though. Savanna gives me the same laugh she gave me in the hospital. The one that warmed me from the inside out and filled me with an amount of pride I didn’t know was possible.