Chapter Fourteen
Elizabeth stared down at the paper in front of her, not really seeing it. She was trying to decide what she wanted to keep from her apartment and what to get rid of. What she wanted here in the house and what she wanted to put into storage.
“How many bedrooms does the house have?” she asked Kevin. They were in his office of Savage Rides. She was curled on the old sofa in the corner while he sat behind his desk and worked on whatever it took to run a mechanic slash body shop.
“Four, but only our room and one other have beds right now. I’ve got one set up as a gym and the fourth is just storing random shit right now. Why?”
“I’m thinking about furniture and what to do about it. I don’t want to take away your gym. What kind of equipment do you have in there anyway?”
“Weights, a weight bench and a treadmill. That way I can run even when the weather’s nasty or it’s miserably hot out.”
“Would you mind if I used it too?”
“Not at all. Tell me what you need, and I’ll be happy to help set things up or even spot you, if you want.”
“I hadn’t thought that far, but thank you.
I’ll let you know. Right now I’m more into the treadmill, it at least will keep me moving and hopefully not gaining too much weight.
” She wasn’t looking forward to having to lose the extra weight after the baby was born, not that she’d put on any yet, but the thought was there in the back of her head.
“Is there any chance we can clean out the room you’re using for storage and make it into a nursery?
” She winced internally, hoping Kevin wouldn’t lose his shit that she asked to move his stuff.
“Of course. We’ve got some storage facilities in town, I’ll have my shit moved over there. We can use the same place for anything you want to keep but aren’t ready to put in the house yet.” He glanced up and smiled at her. “That list about done? I can send the prospects over whenever it is.”
“I’m getting closer.” She looked down at the paper, wondering if she should say what she was thinking.
“Spit it out, sugar.”
“I was just thinking…” she trailed off not sure she should actually say it.
“You know you can tell me anything. Spit it out.”
“Well, I’m not sure I want the prospects packing up my place.”
“Why not?” He scowled. “I’ll tell them to be super careful and that they have to replace anything they break.” He got up and moved to sit beside her on the sofa.
“It’s not that,” Elizabeth said with a shake of her head. Her face heated and she looked toward the small window high on the wall, hoping Kevin wouldn’t notice.
“What is it, Elle?” He sounded concerned.
She rolled her lips in and bit them. “I don’t want strangers, or worse someone I’ve only just met going through my unmentionables.”
“Sugar, that ain’t a problem. Firstly, because they know I’d chop off their hands for touching your underwear.
But if you’re worried about it, I can have them move your dresser with the drawers in it or I can pack it up for you.
I know you don’t want to risk running into Anderson at your place.
I’ll find a way you’re comfortable with to get this done. ”
Elizabeth turned and looked at him.
“You would do that for me? Go and pack my things? The ones I don’t want anyone else seeing?”
“Sugar, I’d do a hell of a lot more than that for you.
And not just because you’re carrying my kid.
” He covered her hands with one of his. “There’s more between us than that, Elle.
I want you to feel safe and comfortable here.
I want you to be at home, if it takes me going and packing a few things so you aren’t embarrassed, I can do that. ”
“Thank you,” she said her voice barely more than a whisper as she leaned against his arm, letting her head rest against his shoulder.
She loved that he didn’t mind when she leaned on him, either physically or emotionally.
The more she thought about it, the more she realized that it wasn’t new.
It was something Kevin had always done for her.
And something Michael never had.
The contrasts between the two men were glaring and the more she looked at it, the more obvious it became to her that Michael cared for no one but Michael. Maybe his parents, but she couldn’t even be sure of that.
“Tell me what you need me to pack and I’ll do it.”
Elizabeth nodded. “I’ll make a second list, just for you. It’s not much but there are somethings that are private.”
“Do that. When you’re done with the list, I’ll take you back to the house before we leave. I’ll post someone outside again, just to be safe. Don’t feel like you need to invite them in or entertain them. That’s not what they’re there for.”
“Won’t they think I’m rude?” she asked, frowning.
“No, sugar. They’ll think you’re mine and they’re doing a job.
Things are different than you’re used to around here.
We know how to behave when we need to, or at least most of us do, but we don’t stick to the rules of polite society, especially not polite southern society, when it’s just us.
It will take a little getting used to, but I think you’ll like it here.
” Kevin wrapped an arm around her shoulders and held her for a moment.
After the moment passed, Kevin kissed the top of her head and stood. “Want something to drink?”
“I could use some water if you don’t mind.”
“Sure. Let me know when you get hungry. We’ll figure out what sounds good and I’ll send someone to get it.” He handed her a bottle of water from a small fridge in the corner then went back to his desk and sat, shuffling papers for a moment then went back to whatever he was doing.
Elizabeth opened the water and took a sip before going back to her list