Chapter Three
Ash
The second I see the rock and the note, I know it’s from Mark. The handwriting matches what was left on the car.
“You should come stay with me for a little while.” Dodge grips my shoulders again and hums low, trying to calm me. “I can load all this up into my truck and we can be back at my place in an hour.”
I’ve never been inside Dodge’s place before, but I’ve seen his cabin from the road. It’s massive and sits on some of the nicest property in Rugged Mountain. I can’t imagine what the inside looks like given he’s a contractor who likes to build beautiful things. That said, there’s no way in hell I’m going.
“Thank you, but I’ll be fine here.”
He grins and clicks off the stove. “Afraid I’m not taking no for an answer. I’ll load this stuff up, and we’ll stop in town to grab a pizza. Once I’m sure we’ve lost this asshole, we’ll head to my place. I have security cameras everywhere. Plus… I have two empty rooms that need filling.”
“Two?”
He nods. “Actually, I have three empty rooms, but I figure two will do. One for you, and the other for the baby.”
I laugh and stand from the couch. “I’m not going to live with you, if that’s what you’re suggesting. I’m fine here. I’ve got everything I need.” I stare down at the rock that was just thrown at the door, then back toward Dodge. “Whatever stupid shit Mark thinks he’s pulling is just a ploy to scare me. That’s all.”
Dodges eyebrows narrow. “Why now? He’s had nine months to mess with you. Something is off about this, and I’m not leaving you alone.” He brushes a strand of hair from my vision. “Not to mention the fact that you’re nine months pregnant. What are you going to do when you go into labor? You’re not going to be able to drive yourself in and emergency vehicles will take over an hour to get to this location. And that’s just the risks before the baby is born. Afterwards, what if something happens? You’re isolated up here.”
I know what he’s saying is partially true, because I’ve thought about it all myself.What if my water breaks and I can’t drive myself to the hospital? What if I try to drive myself there and I crash the car? What if I have the baby, then pass out from exhaustion, and the little gremlin is left to his own devices?Most of these things are unrealistic, but with Mark adding to this stupid mess, I would love to not be alone.
“Look,” Dodge says, leaning down toward me, “the truth is… I’m lonely as hell. That house is huge. I would love some life in it… even if it’s only for a few months.”
“Months?”
“Weeks?”Dodge squints his eyes. “Whatever sounds good to you. We’ll play it by ear.”
I drag in a heavy breath and let it out slowly. Any amount of time that close to Dodge is only going to make everything harder. Even now, I can’t stop staring at him. He’s big, tall, covered in ink, handsome as hell, and the way he talks wakes up parts of me that I’ve never found before.
“It’s a bad idea,” I say, making my way back into the kitchen. “I’ll be fine here. I have a phone. I can call for help if I need it.”
Dodge squares his shoulders with mine and does that thing he does with his eyes. The look that’s both seductive and dominant. The look that drives a throb straight through me and into my panties. He cups his palm over my stomach. “If you won’t come with me, I’ll stay here.”
I smile. “You won’t stay here because I won’t let you.”
“Then I sleep outside in the truck. Do you want that? I have work early in the morning and my back is wrecked if I don’t get sleep.”
“That’s not my problem, Dodge. Now if you’ll excuse me, this day has been painful enough. This pregnant lady has to eat.” I waddle to the fridge and search for anything edible, but all I have is ketchup, a few caffeine-free colas, that box of pasta next to the stove, and a single cheese stick. Suddenly, that doesn’t sound like enough.
“I have a full fridge, and the pantry was just stocked. Like I said, we could stop for a pizza on the way home.”
Home.A real home with a comfortable mattress, a television to watch trash, a kitchen with food in the fridge, and a big handsome man to cook for. Why do I keep resisting?
I glance down at the stone and read the note from Mark again.‘This is only the beginning, you stupid cunt.’
I suppose that could be an actual threat. I only know Mark from the few nights we spent together, and they weren’t very… verbal.
Dodge stares toward me, as though he’s waiting for an answer. Lord, he’s gorgeous. I’d bet the man makes gutting a fish look hot.
“Okay,” I relent for the second time tonight. “But if I go… there are conditions.”
He raises his eyebrows. “Anything.”
“I cook dinner and take care of whatever I can in the house. I want to earn my keep. I can take on more after I have the baby. And we’ll only stay for a few weeks… just until I get my bearings.”
He grins the widest grin in all of Colorado. “I don’t want you on your feet after working all day. How about I make us dinner and take care of the house? I’m used to that anyway. All I ask is that you read to me at night. I listen to these audiobooks, but I reckon nothing sounds as good as you.”
