Chapter 5 #3
“I’m going to get you a fresh one of these.” He picks up the ice pack from the table. “And I’ll make us some. What do you want to drink?”
“I have some tea still.”
He nods. “Be right back.”
I must be in some kind of alternate universe. I don’t understand why he’s still here or why he’s hell-bent on staying around. He knows he’s not getting laid tonight, or at least he should.
“Here.” He places a fresh towel and ice pack over my ankle.
“It’s too early for these, but I saw them in the cabinet and wanted to bring them to you so you didn’t have to get up for them later.
” He sets a bottle of Advil and a bottle of water on the table beside me.
Before I can thank him, he’s back in the kitchen and returning with two more bottles of water and a huge bowl of popcorn.
That’s how the rest of our night goes. We watch the rest of the movie, and he starts another. By the time it’s over, I’m exhausted and ready for bed. “I’m going to clean up.” He stands and picks up the bowl and the now-empty water bottles. “Then I’ll help you to bed.”
“I can manage.”
“I’m sure you can, but you don’t have to since I’m here.” He walks off.
Who does he think he is? Yes, he did me a solid today, and I appreciate it, but I can manage just fine on my own. Standing, I begin to hop down the hall to the bathroom to wash my face and brush my teeth. I stop about halfway, even though my hallway is not all that long, to take a breather.
“What are you doing, Tess?” Strong hands grip my hips, and his hot breath caresses my ear.
“I’m getting ready for bed.”
“Not without me,” he says, and I swear he leans in just a little closer.
“I can manage. Thank you for everything. Will you please make sure the door is locked on your way out?” I ask, dismissing him.
“Right after I put you to bed.” I squeal when he lifts me off my feet, just from his grip on my hips. “Which room is yours?” he asks from behind me.
“Put me down.”
“I can do this all day, Tess. Which room is yours?”
“I need to brush my teeth.” I give in. There is no use fighting with him.
“We can do that.” He carries me to the end of the hall and doesn’t put me on my feet until I’m standing in front of the sink. “Do your thing.” He motions to the sink as he lowers the lid on the toilet and takes a seat.
“Are you kidding me right now?”
“Nope.”
“Landon, just go. I’m fine. I don’t need you here in my house, packing me around like I’m a toddler. I can handle it. I appreciate you wanting to help, but I can manage on my own.”
“And I can stay until you’re ready for bed.”
“You’re not going to be here in the middle of the night or in the morning when I’m getting ready. I’m a big girl, Number Eighteen. I can manage.”
“Maybe I should stay,” he muses.
“No! You are not staying here.”
“Then do what you need to do, let me tuck you in, and you won’t have to see me again until tomorrow morning.”
“Gah! You are so damn frustrating.”
He nods. “So I’ve been told.”
Needing this day to be over, I rush through washing my face and brushing my teeth. I don’t tell him I’m done. Instead, I turn and start to walk—well, hop out the bathroom door. He slides up to my side, places his arm around me, and lets me lean on him as we make our way to my bedroom.
“Which one is yours?”
“This one.” I point to the door on the right side of the hallway. The door is open, and thankfully, my bed is made, and there is nothing in plain sight that shouldn’t be, at least from a quick glance. We make it to the bed, and I sit down.
“Where are your pajamas?”
“I can get it, Landon,” I say, exasperated.
“So can I. You can change while I go get the meds and a bottle of water. Then I’ll go. Promise.”
“Top drawer.” I point to my dresser. Just as he opens the drawer, I remember that’s where I put the card from the flowers. Silently, I cross my fingers, hoping it’s slid to the bottom and he doesn’t notice it.
I’m not that lucky.
“Aw, you kept it.” He holds up the little white envelope between his fingers, and of course, those damn dimples appear.
“I don’t know how that got in there.” Lies.
He smirks. “You should use it, you know. My number.”
“No, thanks. I’m trying to get rid of you, remember?”
“I’m not going to go away that easily. In fact, you should give me your number so I can check on you.”
“You’re still here.” My voice is raised. I’m not yelling, but the irritation he’s causing is definitely showing through.
“I’ll leave, but I want your number. I want to be able to check on you. You live alone, and I feel bad leaving you like this.”
Something about the look in his eyes tells me it’s more than that. But I find myself relenting just to get rid of him. I need him out of my space. “Fine. It’s in your phone. I didn’t delete the call. Don’t be blowing me up.” I huff, and he grins. I hate that I like that he’s concerned.
He pulls out some pajamas and makes a show of shoving the little white envelope back into the drawer.
He tosses the clothes to me, where I sit on the bed, and leaves the room, shutting the door behind him.
I glare at the handle, wishing there was a lock.
I’ve never needed one before now. Hell, knowing his cocky ass, he’ll just take the door off the damn hinges.
Not wanting to be caught with my panties down, literally, I quickly slip out of my bra and slide the pajama shirt over my head.
I leave my leggings on. I can slip those off after he leaves.
I’m sliding under the covers when he knocks on the door.
“Ready or not, here I come,” he sings-songs and slowly pushes the door open.
“Gimme, and go.” I hold my hands out for the bottle of Advil and the water.
“So testy,” he taunts.
“Landon,” I growl. I actually growl. That’s what this man has brought me to. Growling at him like some wild animal, and not from pleasure, I might add.
“Here.” He shakes out two tablets, screws the lid off the water, and hands them to me. I toss them back and watch him as he plugs my cell phone into the charger and places it on the nightstand. “You need anything else?”
“No. Just go home.”
“All right. I’ll see you in the morning. You get to the shelter at nine, right?”
“How do you know that?”
He shrugs. “Autumn.”
“Yes,” I say through gritted teeth. She’s on his side, so I know her coming to pick me up in the morning is a long shot. One more encounter with him and then I’m done. He’s testing my patience and has me horny as hell all at the same time. My body and mind are at war with one another.
“I have to be at the field at nine, so I’ll have to drop you off at eight-thirty. That all right with you?”
“Fine.”
“Need anything?” he asks. This time, his voice is softer, and it reminds me of how he was treating me when I first fell today.
Kind.
Gentle.
“No. Goodnight, Landon.”
My breath stalls in my chest when he leans over and kisses the top of my head. “Night, Tess. I’ll lock up.”
And just like that, he’s gone. I listen as his heavy footfalls carry him to the front door, and I hear the door close. The handle jiggles as he tests the lock. Finally, I fall back onto my pillows just as my phone pings with a message.
Unknown: Night, Tess. Door’s locked.
I save his number. I have a feeling I’ll need to know who’s calling or texting me in the future and reply.
Me: Thanks.
I don’t want to give him the idea that we’re going to be texting back and forth all the time.
I’ve thanked him several times today and this evening.
He knows I appreciate it. It’s done. Time to let it go.
Placing my phone back on the nightstand, I turn off the bedside lamp and surprisingly, fall right to sleep.