Chapter 9
Chapter
Nine
West
Dry humping during an ice storm wasn’t on this year’s bingo card, but I wouldn’t change a single thing about this night. Or even the last twenty-four hours or so. I’m not sure what happened, because she’s right—it usually takes a bit more to get me off.
But it’s been over a month since I had sex.
And I’ve avoided redheads like the plague since Briar and I broke up, so being with one now is a huge aphrodisiac for me.
Having her in my arms is nice too.
I’ve had more than my fair share of one-night stands, but that’s not what this is. I’m not looking for anything serious, but there’s something relaxing about her. She’s not looking for anything either, so it’s perfect.
Would she be into a friends-with-benefits arrangement?
I wouldn’t word it quite that way, but we could have fun together.
And I’m happy to pay for babysitters so we can go out and have adult adventures.
It sounds like she doesn’t have nearly enough fun in her life and it might be good for both of us to enjoy something casual.
Or am I being selfish?
I guess I’d need to ask her.
But not now. Right now, I just want to enjoy this.
“Do you need to, uh, clean up?” she asks after a while.
“I do,” I admit. “Good thing I have a clean pair of boxers in my bag. I didn’t need them last night since I’d showered right before I left the house, but now I guess I do.”
“We can wash the ones you’re wearing now by hand,” she says.
“Hopefully, the electricity will come back on before we have to do that.”
“Okay.” She starts to move, but I tighten my hold.
“Let’s just sit here a little longer,” I suggest.
She settles right back into my arms and it’s…nice. Better than nice but I can’t come up with the perfect word to describe how I’m feeling.
Content seems too tame.
Sated seems more related to sex, and while that’s part of it, that’s not what I’m feeling.
In fact, if I didn’t have to clean up, I could happily doze off just like this.
There’s something fun and strangely intimate about not having intercourse. Hell, I barely touched her. The skin of her stomach. Groping her through her clothes. It was all very PG. But it felt like a lot more.
What the hell is wrong with me?
I shift, gently patting her ass. “Okay, now I need to clean up.”
She moves to the side and sinks into the cushions of the couch. “You go first. Take one of the candles. There’s no light at all in the bathroom.”
“Thanks.” I get up, grab my bag and go into the bathroom.
I do my best to clean up using the ice-cold water, change into clean boxers, and ball up the dirty ones, stuffing them into an outside pocket of my duffel.
I really don’t want her to have to wash them by hand.
I suppose I could do it myself but that’s one thing I’ve never done—washed an item of clothing by hand.
We would be so much more comfortable at my place.
But we also wouldn’t have this…intimacy. The chance to get to know each other the way we have been. We’re in this private, quiet little bubble that’s going to burst the moment the weather lets up. And then we’ll both be thrown back into our lives and responsibilities.
She’s waiting when I come out of the bathroom, avoiding my gaze, and I reach for her.
“Hey.”
She lifts her gaze to mine and I lightly press my lips to hers.
“You okay?”
She nods almost shyly. “I was thinking… Why don’t we go stretch out on the bed tonight? The couch can’t be comfortable for you and even though it’s colder in there, I have plenty of blankets.”
“That sounds great. I’ll grab everything from the couch.”
She disappears into the bathroom, and I gather up the blanket and pillows.
Padding into her bedroom, I note that her bed is smaller than my California king but a hell of a lot bigger than the couch.
I stretch out and sigh happily. So much better than the couch.
And sleeping next to her, well, that will be a nice change from her squeezing into my side with us sleeping in uncomfortable positions.
I’m already starting to drift off, but I wait for her to come in. She leaves a candle on her dresser, which gives just enough light in case we need to get up in the middle of the night, but it’s still dark enough to sleep.
“Get under the covers,” she instructs, holding the blanket from the couch.
I do as I’m told, watching as she spreads the second blanket on top of the first.
“There. That should keep us warm.”
“I’ll keep you warm,” I say, holding out my arms.
She smiles and crawls into bed, sighing happily as she moves into my arms.
“Good night, West.”
“Good night, angel.”
“Mommy, I’m hungry.”
The sound of Joey’s voice rouses me, and I realize it’s light outside. Serena jumps, immediately sitting up and rubbing her eyes.
“What time is it?” she murmurs.
I reach for my phone.
Holy shit.
“Uh, 9:45,” I say in surprise. I can’t remember the last time I slept this late.
“Sorry, baby. Mommy was up late taking care of the fire.”
That’s a lie, but Joey doesn’t seem upset about anything except the fact that he’s hungry.
“Are we having oatmeal?” he asks.
“I have bagels that are going to go bad,” she says, getting up. “I’m going to see if I can toast them using a frying pan.”
“Give me two minutes to use the bathroom and I’ll help,” I say. I’m still under the covers because like every morning, I’m hard as granite. She gives me a knowing wink and ushers Joey out of the room.
True to my word, I freshen up quickly and meet her in the living room where she’s got two bagel halves face down on a frying pan that she’s holding over the low flames.
“It’s cold,” Joey says.
“We’ll make the fire hotter in a minute,” she says.
“We’re out of wood again,” I say. “Let me walk over to ask Rudy.”
“Thank you.”
I pull on my windbreaker and sneakers, and head outside.
It’s not raining or sleeting anymore, and I navigate the icy walkway that leads from Serena’s driveway to the main house. Rudy must see me coming because he meets me on the porch.
“Morning.” He nods. “Need more wood?”
“Yes, please. And I’m happy to pay you for it.”
He frowns. “No. Serena pays rent and this is part of it. She’s a great tenant, so we’re happy to make sure she and Joey are comfortable.” He pauses. “You two serious?”
Oh, fuck.
How do I answer that?
The last thing I want is to make her seem like the kind of woman who invites strangers into her home and bed. Not that I give a shit, but this is Georgia, and out here in the rural areas, people can be a lot more conservative.
“It’s new,” I say instead. “I wouldn’t have stayed over if not for the storm.”
He nods. “She’s a good girl. Joey’s daddy did her dirty—don’t hurt her, okay?”
I’m taken aback.
I don’t even know this guy.
But it’s nice to know she has someone looking out for her. Even if he’s not her person.
No, that’s me, apparently. It was kind of a joke when I said it, but in retrospect, I meant it.
“No plan to hurt her,” I say casually.
“Good, good.” He clears his throat, as if embarrassed by our conversation. “Anyway, I don’t think we can get to that tree today. Still sleeting and, to be honest, I’m too old to go slipping and sliding down the driveway.”
“No problem. Just tell me when.”
“Thanks. Uh, Gemma and me, we’re gonna grill some burgers and hot dogs tonight. Tell Serena ya’ll are welcome to join us. Gemma has some potatoes she’s going to try baking on the grill too. We’ll see how it goes. But some of the food in the freezer is thawing so we need to eat it.”
“I’ll talk to Serena, but I’m sure she’ll be grateful. As am I.”
“There’s dry wood in the barn.” He points to a smaller building behind the house. “Take what you need.”
“Thanks.” I slip and slide over to it, grab as much wood as I can carry and make a handful of trips. If we’re going to eat with them later, I can get what we need for tonight then.
For now, I’m curious how she’s done with the bagels.
“Hey.” She looks up when I come in. “I think toasted bagels are going to happen.”
“Excellent.” I relay the dinner invitation to her.
“Oh, that sounds fun. And it’ll be nice to have something grilled.”
“I wonder how long the electric will be out.” I pull out my phone, grateful that it’s still at fifty percent.
I do a search but the news isn’t good. The power company is overwhelmed.
Half of the Metro Atlanta area is without electricity, and there’s now no timetable on when it will be fixed in our area.
Damn.
I don’t know what’s going to happen with hockey either.
There’s supposed to be a game tonight but I saw the notification that the game is postponed, new date to be determined.
Usually, when this kind of thing happens, they add it to the end of the season, but it can get complicated with the playoffs.
That’s above my pay grade, though.
I send a quick text to Bodi.
WEST: Hey! I don’t know how much longer I’ll have battery on my phone. So, I’m staying off of it as much as possible. Can you try to keep me updated on things with the team?
BODI: Absolutely. You sure you don’t want to try to get home? The generator is still going strong and there’s plenty of fuel in the garage.
I explain about the tree in the road blocking my exit, realizing I’d forgotten about it.
Almost as if I don’t want to leave.
Which makes no sense.
My house would be so much more comfortable, and it wouldn’t be a big deal to bring Serena and Joey with me. I could probably get us there safely if I really wanted to.
Instead, I’m content to hang out here in this tiny, chilly apartment with a redhead who dry humped me on the couch last night.