Chapter 5
Chapter Five
QUINN
I t’s impossible not to stare at Rhodes. In the space of a few hours, my crush on him has bloomed beyond control. Not only is he handsome, but he’s sweet and caring. The best part is that I see the way he thinks about others and not himself first.
“How are you single?” I blurt out before I can think better of it. “Crap, that was rude.”
“You can ask me anything you want, sweetness.”
That’s the third time he’s called me that. Yes, I’m counting. I’m not sure why, but I am.
“So?” I hedge, wanting to know.
“It’s a small town, and once upon a time, I was a runt.”
“A runt?” I laugh. “As in small?” I can’t picture Rhodes as anything other than gigantic. I would have guessed him to be a ten-pound baby.
“Shocking, I know.” He pats his stomach like he’s got a beer belly, which he doesn’t. I don’t think he has washboard abs, but he’s built. Rhodes is more barrel-chested and thick everywhere. “Didn’t really start filling out until around freshman year. By then I was jaded.”
“Jaded at fifteen? That’s rough,” I tease.
I’m not one to judge. I've felt that way about men practically my whole life. Both my mother and I have a way of attracting the wrong kind of men. Though I won’t end up like my mother did. I’m determined to break the cycle.
Too bad trouble is always chasing after me no matter how hard I run. That might be the problem. I need to face it head-on, but it’s really hard when I’m up against a man twice my size. Plus, no one wanted to listen, let alone believe anything I had to say.
"It stings when the girls don't give you the time of day. Then all of a sudden you grow a couple of feet, and now they want something to do with you."
"Ouch. That sucks, but I understand what you mean. It happens a lot to girls when they lose weight."
“Yeah, it’s really shitty,” he says and then shrugs. “By the time the girls came around, they’d already dated all of my friends. Which was something I wasn’t interested in.”
“Oh crap, I never thought about that. I was thinking more along the lines of having to see someone you used to date all the time.”
“That too, I suppose.”
I’d made sure I would never run into my ex. If anyone could really call him that. We’d gone on a handful of dates, but several were forced. He would show up and present it as if we just happened to cross paths. I began to quickly realize that it was complete bullshit.
"So we both haven't dated much?"
"You haven't?" he asks, and I shake my head.
"Not really."
Us being on the same level puts me at ease. I'm not sure what’s happening between Rhodes and me, but it's nice to know I don't have to be awkward and out of my comfort zone alone. However, there’s something about Rhodes that brings me comfort nonetheless.
The cabin of the truck falls silent, but there isn't a need to fill it. I relax more in my seat while giving Boss pets. Every now and then, Rhodes will reach over and give him a couple too.
I smile when Rhodes's house comes into view. I wasn’t surprised when he told me he built it.
I bet the man can do anything with his hands.
My mind goes to somewhere that it shouldn’t as I think about how rough his hands would feel with a few calluses.
I’m willing to bet his touch would still be gentle.
“Stay put for a second.”
My eyes snap away from Rhodes's hands on the steering wheel. Did I really get lost in a haze over hands?
“What?”
“Stay in the truck. Got it?” he asks, and I nod.
Rhodes opens the truck door, and he hits the lock as he steps out. The door closes behind him, and all I can think is, what the hell? My eyes follow after him to see he’s headed toward my van. That’s when I notice all my tires are flat.
“Oh shit.” I reach for the door handle but stop myself from opening it. My heart pounds in my chest as Rhodes circles my van and then disappears for a couple of seconds. When he comes around the other side, he tries to open the van door, but it's locked.
Rhodes heads for the porch next and goes up the stairs.
I’m holding my breath as he unlocks the front door and then once again disappears from my sight.
This time he’s gone longer, and I hold Boss close.
The seconds tick by, but eventually Rhodes comes back outside, and I'm flooded with relief. I hit the unlock button when he gets to the passenger door, and he’s there, opening it for me.
"Hey now." One of Rhodes's hands cups my cheeks. My expression must say it all. "Everything is okay. You’re safe."
"Your hands are rough but gentle." Oh god, I said that out loud. "That's not what I meant to say."
"Have you been thinking about my hands?" The corner of his mouth pulls up into a smirk.
"Maybe." Heat rushes to my face. Looks like I’m busted.
"Come on out now." He holds out his hands, and I let Boss jump down before taking them.
"All four tires don't go flat at once."
"No, they don't." Rhodes threads his fingers with mine. "I cleared the house, and I'll show you the alarm later. Can I get the keys to your van?"
"They're in my bag. I forgot it in your truck."
"Are you okay with me going into your van and getting all your stuff? I want to bring it in the house."
"I can help."
"What I'd like is for you to take a seat and a few deep breaths." I want to protest, but his eyes are leaving no room for argument. "Can you do that for me?"
This man is being so good to me, how could I possibly say no?
"Yes, I can do that for you."
"Thank you, sweetness." Rhodes slowly leans in, kissing the top of my head before heading back out the door. Boss follows him, so he leaves it open while I sit on the bench in the entryway.
It only takes Rhodes a few trips to bring all my stuff in, and once it’s done, he surveys my things. "You're well organized."
Boss comes trotting in, and Rhodes closes the door behind him, flipping the lock.
"You have to be organized when living in a van," I say absently. My van might be neat, but my thoughts are a mess.
"I suppose so." Rhodes stuffs his hands in his pockets, and although he’s not asking me anything, I'm sure he wants to.
"My tires?"
"They appear to be slashed."
I nod, steeling myself. “I’m sorry you carried all my things inside. I should leave.”
As soon as I get to my feet, Rhodes folds his arms over his chest. “That’s not happening.”
“You can’t keep me here.”
“Your tires are slashed, sweetness.” Rhodes drops his arms, softening his tone.
“And I don’t think you truly want to leave.
” His green eyes stare into mine. “That’s fine if you would rather not admit that.
I can be the asshole and say I’m making you stay.
But I’m not taking you back to town tonight. ”
“You’re not an asshole,” I whisper.
“But I will be if that’s what you need.” He steps closer. “What is it that you want? Tell me,” he encourages.
“I want to stop running.”
“I think that’s a smart idea. When you’re here, you’re not alone.”
My eyes burn with tears. “I don’t want to pull you into this mess. He’s out of his mind.”
“You’re not pulling me into anything. I’m getting into it all on my own.”
“Why, Rhodes? Why would you want to be anywhere near this mess?”
“I don’t want to scare you, Quinn. I’ve barely gotten you to agree to stay.”
“Tell me,” I whisper, needing to know.
“You feel like you’re mine.” He’s so close it’s like I’m surrounded by him. “And you feel that too, don’t you?”
“I do,” I agree and then huff a laugh. “Saying that out loud sounds ridiculous.”
“I’d say after having all your tires slashed, we’re a little past that.” He touches my chin, and then I feel his thumb graze over my chin. “Now let’s get you two settled in.”
With that, he takes a step back, and I’m already missing his warmth.