“You ever race?”
“Me? Nah, I can watch but I’m not skilled enough to get behind the wheel.”
A yawn fell from my mouth. “Good, it seems exciting, but also looks dangerous.” My eyes closed again.
My breathing slowed and the hum of the car and music playing lowly filled the comfortable silence between us.
____
“I needed this walk, huh Bella girl?” I reached down and stroked the top of her head. Her tongue stuck out and she wagged her tail wildly. The weather was cool, but it felt good against my skin. A few times a week, in the morning, I liked to walk Bella on the trails not too far from my house. Since the accident I had been slipping on it, but today I woke up with the urge to get back to my normal routine. I always used this time to mentally prepare myself for the day. Now that fall was setting in, the weather was growing cooler, it woke me up and caused me to be more alert. I always enjoyed fall. The leaves changing and falling off the trees. The weather cooling down. Not to mention the earth tones it brought always appealed to me.
I had a meeting with my literary agent in an hour to go over the promotion schedule for my book. I also wanted to work on the comic book I had been procrastinating on as well. It was a little over a quarter done, and since I had cleared my commissioned work and children’s book, I planned on focusing on it more. For too long I let fear of stepping into a new lane stop me, but it was time to do away with it.
Music played through my aids as we continued through the trails. A few other people were out walking and jogging the trail as well. Every so often Bella would stop and sniff a pile of leaves or hear something that caught her attention. She wore a service dog vest so people normally left her alone whenever I was out with her. One good thing about having an aid dog was that she came trained and was good around people and crowds.
Once back at the house, I kicked off my walking shoes, removed my jacket, and took the vest off Bella who instantly went to the room her water bowl was in. I wanted to shower before my call with my agent.
Making my way upstairs, I was caught off guard when Creed’s door opened and we slammed into each other.
I stumbled back when he grabbed me, helping to steady me.
“Damn, my bad.”
“Oh no I—” My words trailed off as I focused on him. Slowly I scanned him, taking in his athletic physique. This was the first time I had seen him shirtless. He wore only basketball shorts. His abs were carved to perfection as if each one was chiseled. Small curls of hair dusted the lower part down to where his pelvis started. His chest was wide, arms thick and muscular. I shouldn’t but I couldn’t help comparing the differences between him and Rome. While Rome was in shape, it was clear he didn’t keep up with working out like Creed did. Lowering my gaze, it was hard to miss his third leg’s imprint between his legs.
Snatching my eyes back up, my cheeks reddened upon realizing what I was doing. Creed didn’t call me out for ogling him but the amusement that danced in his eyes couldn’t be missed.
“I thought you were still out or I would have put a shirt on. I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable.”
“My dick.” My eyes bucked. “I mean… I don’t. Fuck.” I cleared my throat. “I was just heading to my room.”
Not bothering to wait for his response, I quickly moved around him and hurried to my bedroom. Shutting the door behind me, I pressed my back against it and gripped the door handle tightly. Squeezing my eyes shut, I pushed a heavy breath out and knocked my head on the door a couple of times.
“What the hell was that, Nakyra?” I muttered.
Pushing out another deep breath, I opened my eyes and jumped when a knock on the door sounded.
“I’m about to go to the gym but before then I’ma stop by the hospital.” My heart stuttered. “I know my parents been shutting you out, so I’ma go see what’s up for you.”
Scraping my bottom lip with my teeth, I slowly stepped away from the door and opened it. When I laid eyes on him, he was giving me an easy smile.
“Thank you.”
He nodded. “No need to thank me. My parents are wrong. Plus the whole reason I’m in town because of Rome, so it’s about time I went and checked on him for myself anyway. I’ll let you know what’s going on once I get there.” He turned to leave. Before I realized what I was doing, I was taking in his ripped back. His back muscles were as defined as his abs. My stomach stirred and my body grew warm.
Hurriedly, I slammed my door shut. Nothing was wrong with admiring how attractive someone was. It was human nature, so why did I feel so guilty?
Shaking the thought out of my head, I pulled my phone out of my pocket to check the time. I had half an hour before my meeting with my agent, which gave me enough time to shower and prepare.
Chapter 11
Creed
“Well it’s about time you come and visit your brother.” My mom scoffed when she lifted her head and laid eyes on me when I stepped inside the hospital room. Ignoring her, I looked around, noticing my dad was nowhere to be found. Rome lay in the bed, still unconscious. I noticed the bruising he had when I first got here was barely present. The wrap on his head was also gone.
“If you’re looking for your father, he isn’t here. He’s at the office.”
I glanced at the woman who birthed me. While she was my mother, I felt no maternal bond with her. Growing up she never treated me like her child. I was more of a burden to her and my father. The two left me with nannies most of the time while Rome got all of their attention. Even now, as she looked at me, I saw no warmth that other kids received from their parents. It was something I had grown accustomed to, however. Her cold demeanor was something I didn’t take personally anymore.
