“Oh, by the way, did you kill my mom?”
As Kit starts up the truck, I let out a long sigh. He looks over at me with concern.
“Are you alright?” he asks. “We could go to town and grab some food if you like?”
“No, thanks,” I answer. “I just need a shower and bed for now. It’s been a long day.”
“It sure has,” he agrees. “Would you like to talk about it?”
Yes.
“No,” I reply. “At least, not now. I know there’s a lot of ground to cover between us, Kit. But we’re just going to have to take it slow.”
I notice that his fingers are gripping the steering wheel, and his jaw looks tight, as if he’s holding back a whole ton of words. I’m curious, but I’m also afraid of what he might say.
Not now, for the love of God. I can’t deal with any more fear tonight.
When we get back to Kit’s townhouse, I follow him up the path. As soon as we get inside, I tell him I’m going for a shower and hurry up the stairs. Slamming the door behind me, I lock it and brace myself against it with my arms wrapped around myself.
What the fuck am I doing?
To my frustration, tears leak down my cheeks again, and I wipe my nose angrily. Hurrying to get my clothes off, I turn on the shower and get in to wash the tears from my cheeks with the rush of hot water.
I kissed him.
Even with all the ugly shit circling around in my brain, this thought has the most impact. I start to tremble, and it gets worse when my body throbs. My nipples harden as I wonder where that kiss might have led us.
I lean against the wall, letting the rush of water flow over my chest as I run my hand across my breasts. I don’t want to letKit in again, but I’ve suffered for so long, I forgot what it was like to feel good.
And Kit makes me feel very good.
Sniffing to get my tears under control, I wash myself over quickly, not daring to linger in case I awaken my lust again. I rub myself dry with a towel and put on a robe that’s hanging on the back of the door. It’s way too big for me, so it has to be Kit’s.
Just a hint of his scent rises from the fabric. I close my eyes, savoring it.
How am I supposed to go to sleep, completely wrapped in his scent, with his body right next to mine, close enough to touch?
When I get to the bedroom, Kit has his back turned to the door, the blanket wrapped around his body. His breathing is slow and even, so I assume he’s asleep.
I’m touched to see the cookies and cocoa on the nightstand, just like the night before. It’s such a small gesture, but it really makes me feel cared for. I eat the cookies slowly, washing them down with the rich cocoa.
Even though I was worried about being able to sleep, the second I curl up under the covers, a wave of exhaustion flows through me, loosening my muscles and clouding my thoughts. Stress and conflict fade, leaving only the imprint of Kit’s mouth on mine. Fantasies of what comes next drift through my mind.
I’m surprised when I wake to a bright, sun-filled room. Even with the curtains drawn, I can tell it’s at least mid-morning. I can’t remember the last time I slept this late, or this well.
Father would never let me sleep in, and I was lucky if I got four hours a night.
Even better, I don’t remember having a single nightmare. I haven’t had a night free of bad dreams since the day I saw my mother’s body and Father dragged me to Grace’s Fall.
I can hear Kit downstairs. I get up to join him, wrapping the robe around me a bit more tightly.
I can’t put on yesterday’s clothes—they’re filthy. I’ll have to take up Kit’s offer about breaking his credit card.
Kit’s money and status never meant anything to me. For the first time in my life, I realize what it means to have a rich husband, and how different my life is really going to be.
I used pots and pans without handles because we couldn’t afford to buy new ones! Forget things like appliances or new mattresses and pillows—you just get used to the bed bugs.
I’m still thinking about going down in my robe—and wondering if I have the self-control to not flash Kit at least once—when I notice the bags by the door. A quick inspection shows me they’re full of clothes.
