Chapter 7
Cici
I take a deep breath and blow it out slowly. I can’t believe I just invited Covey to come to my house! I must be insane. That’s really the only explanation.
When he sent the picture of him in the hot tub, I couldn’t help but look at his body to see if he has any tattoos other than the one that peeked out of his sleeve the other night. It looks like he has something on each bicep, but I couldn’t tell what it was in the lighting and the angle.
I close my eyes and lean my head back against the side of the tub. I need to at least appear calm, even if anxiety is taking over and spreading through my body.
The gate opens and shuts a few minutes later. I fight to keep my eyes shut and to look like I'm relaxing.
“Hey, beautiful,” Covey’s deep voice rumbles as he steps over the side of the hot tub.
I open my eyes just in time to watch him slowly lower himself into the water. He looks like he’s almost in pain while he’s doing it.
“Are you ok?”
“Yeah, but got a bit cold on my walk over here.”
“That’s why I didn’t want to come to you.” I grin.
“How hot do you keep this thing?”
“As hot as it will go.” My grin widens even more
“Jeez, my body is going to hate me. Charlie told me to do an ice bath when I got home, then the hot tub. My body doesn’t know what to expect now. There have been so many temperature changes for it tonight.”
We’re both quiet for a few minutes. I don’t know what to say or how to keep the conversation going. I'm mentally exhausted.
“I'm sorry, I'm mentally exhausted. I probably shouldn’t have invited you over. I'm not going to be good company.” I drop my chin and stare down at my hands under the water. I don’t want to meet his gaze and see disappointment staring back at me.
The water sloshes against the sides as Covey moves to the seat next to me.
“Hey, it’s ok. I'm mentally exhausted too. Your dad sent me home early today because my head isn’t in it.”
He tugs me into his side and presses a soft kiss to the top of my head.
“Do you want to talk about whatever is bothering you?” He asks softly.
“It’s just some guy at work who keeps trying to flirt with me. Uncle Parker stepped in and put an end to that, so now he’s being difficult.”
“Did you tell Parker? I’ve met him and I wouldn’t want to mess with him.”
“I told Uncle Luke. He said he would handle it and let me know how it went, but I haven’t heard from him. I was going to stop at his office before I came home but I lost track of time and he left before I did.”
“Do you want me to beat him up?” He grins down at me.
“Somehow I don’t think that would help the situation.”
“Maybe not, but I’d still do it for you.”
He holds me a little tighter against his side. I curl into him, enjoying the feel of his arms around me. I’d give almost anything to make this a daily thing.
“Are you falling asleep on me, beautiful?” Covey tips my chin up until I'm gazing at him.
“No, but this is the most relaxed I’ve been in weeks.”
“Is that my doing or the hot tub?” There’s a hint of vulnerability in his tone.
“That’s all you,” I whisper.
We’re quiet for another ten or fifteen minutes before Covey breaks the silence again.
“Do you want to go in and go to bed? You look exhausted.”
“No, I don’t want you to leave.”
“Yeah, but I don’t want you falling asleep in the hot tub.”
“Do you want to come inside?” My voice comes out as barely a whisper.
I don’t know if this is smart or not, but I feel like Covey and I could be amazing together. I just need to convince him to take a chance on us. To risk upsetting my dad and brother.
He glances at his watch before turning his attention back to me.
“I can come in for a little bit… but my bathing suit will be wet.” He wrinkles his nose.
“I have a few sets of clothes that Cord left here. I'm sure you’re about the same size. We could throw your bathing suit in the dryer while we watch TV. Then you can change into them until you leave. Cord never needs to know you stole his clothes.” I grin, trying to tease him.
“Sounds like a plan.”
Covey rises from the warm water first. He grabs his towel and wraps it around his waist before he grabs mine off the table and holds it out for me. As I step towards him, he closes his arms around me, wrapping me up in the fluffy fabric.
But he doesn’t let go of me.
He tugs my body into his and stares out at the backyard. We stay like that for a few moments before Covey leads me inside. I could get way too used to letting him take care of me like this.