Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22708 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 114(@200wpm)___ 91(@250wpm)___ 76(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22708 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 114(@200wpm)___ 91(@250wpm)___ 76(@300wpm)
"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.
Chapter Six
RHODES
When we walk outside the next morning, I see the way Quinn looks back at her van. I can’t imagine what’s going through her head, and I don’t want to push her to talk about things she isn’t ready to discuss.
Last night, I helped set up Boss’s litter box in the laundry room and then showed Quinn where she’d be sleeping. While I made us dinner, she unpacked, and it wasn’t until we were eating that she realized she was going to be sleeping in my room. She tried to protest, but I explained to her she’d have a private bathroom in there and I usually fell asleep on the couch most nights anyway. Eventually, I had to promise her I’d order a bed for one of the spare rooms since I hadn’t gotten around to it yet.
After that, I was able to distract her by showing her how to set the alarm. I also gave her access to the safe where I kept my hunting rifles. They are only accessible by fingerprint, but I went through the process of adding her to that as well. When she tried to object, I explained that her having the knowledge, even if she didn’t have to use any of it, would give her a sense of personal security. I could tell as we went through everything step by step that she became more confident.