My head was pounding. All of those shots and drinks were a bad idea. Opening my eyes didn’t seem like a great idea. Laying here and dying seemed like a better one. I tried to roll over only I couldn’t. That’s when I realized that someone else was in my bed. Oh my God. What did I do? The last thing that I remembered was dancing with Sophia. Everything else was a blur. I was way too scared to turn over and risk waking up whoever was in the bed with me, but the thought of staying here with him repulsed me even more. The worst part was his arm being draped across me.

I blew out a breath that I had been holding. There were two options. Stay here with whoever this was or move and try not to wake him. I was still contemplating what I was going to do when he stirred and pulled me closer to him. I was trying not to panic and breathe through the panic attack that was starting. That’s when he spoke.

“Good morning, sweetheart.”

God I knew that voice, but was having trouble trying to place it. I knew that sexy southern drawl. It sounded even sexier being that he just woke up. I racked my brain trying to figure out how I knew it when it hit me. It was Matt. Could this get any worse? What the hell have I done? I only prayed it wasn’t what I thought it was. I needed to keep my distance from this man. It was that simple. The key word in that statement is was. Now things were going to get complicated. I could only hope that we could just leave it as a drunken mistake and go our separate ways. Please let it be that easy.

I rolled over and took a deep breath, finally opening my eyes to meet his. He was just lying there on his side smiling down at me. I could get lost in them if I wanted to, but that just couldn’t happen. I needed to remain detached from him. From everyone for that matter. I didn’t work hard at keeping myself isolated for two years for nothing. I wasn’t going to let him come into town and screw with my plans. Not by a long shot.

I took him all in for a moment. His hair was brown and was shaved close to his head like a military style cut. His facial features were strong and dominate. As I made my way down, I noticed that Sophia was right. His muscles were to die for, especially without a shirt on and his abs were solid. I needed to look away before this became awkward.

I smiled back a hesitant smile and tried to get the words out that needed to be said.

“What happened last night?”

The expression on his face shocked me. It wasn’t that of a man whose pride was hurt that I didn’t remember. It was of concern. God sometimes I hated that I could read people so well. It was a good thing in my current profession and in my past life, but now I hated it. Reading this man could be a problem that could eventually cause trouble.

“Let’s start off with the last thing you recall and I’ll try and fill in the blanks for you,” he replied.

“I remember taking way too many shots and having a few drinks. Then I remember dancing with Sophia to a couple of songs. After that, I’ve got nothing.”

He raked his hands across his hair and looked away from me. God, please don’t tell me I did something crazy. Like him. Jesus this didn’t look good based on how long it was taking for him to respond to me.

I was starting to worry, but then he lifted his eyes to meet mine. It was almost as if he was scared of my reaction to what happened next. It was no worse than the thoughts going through my head at the moment. I was about to state just that when he started to speak.

“I was people watching waiting for Mason and my neighbor Jeremiah to show up, when I noticed you on the dance floor. You looked completely different than what I’d seen before. So carefree and alive instead of closed off and distant. I watched you and Sophia dancing and then a guy came up behind you and started dancing with you. You seemed fine with it until he put his hands on your hips. You tried to push him off and he didn’t seem to care. When he whispered something in your ear, you went completely still and turned pale. I knew then that you didn’t want him all over you so I came over to where you were and told him to get his hands off of you. He didn’t like being told what to do so I punched him. You were in some sort of catatonic state because you wouldn’t answer Sophia or me, so I picked you up and carried you outside. I told her I’d drop you off at home and she gave me your keys and your purse.”

He proceeded to tell me everything that had occurred once he had arrived back at my place. I can’t believe that I was so out of it that I didn’t remember.

“Nothing else happened. I’m not the kind of guy to take advantage of a girl in the state of mind you were in last night no matter what you might think of me.”

Holy shit. He was a gentleman and I was having all of these crazy thoughts going through my head. Things were just getting worse. I didn’t want to see him as a gentleman. I needed to see him as a guy who took advantage of me because that gave me the perfect out. Now with this new revelation, I had to think of a reason to stay away from him. Clearly avoiding him might not work because now he would probably seek me out as someone who needs saving. I closed my eyes before taking a deep breath so I could respond to him. Before I could think of a good way to explain that we couldn’t see each other anymore, words started flowing out of my mouth.

“That makes me feel better. I was thinking the worst when I was trying to figure out who was in my bed and how the hell he ended up here. I started to feel a little better when I noticed that it wasn’t some random person and it was you. But, I do have to admit the thought did cross my mind that you might have taken advantage of my weakened state. I’m not insinuating that I think you’re that type of guy. I’m just saying that that’s where they headed because I couldn’t remember anything. Thank you for saving me and being a gentleman about the whole situation. I’m just glad some other asshole didn’t get the opportunity to take advantage of the state I was in last night.”

Why the hell did I just say that? Damn my mouth for reacting before my brain could stop it. Now he’s probably going to get the wrong idea. I needed to get away to collect my thoughts. I also had to figure out a way to get him the hell out of my house. I’ve become used to it just being me and I’m starting to feel claustrophobic. His movements broke me from my thoughts and I noticed that he’s looking at me with this intense look on his face and has propped himself up on his elbow.

“I’m not that man. I saw that you needed help and offered it. There were no ulterior motives. I hate that even for a moment the thought crossed your mind, but you don’t know me well enough not to assume that I’d do something like that, so I’ll just let that go.”

Yep. I had to get away before he sucked me in with those eyes and that accent. Not happening. Not in this lifetime. I pushed away from him trying to get some space between us. Managing distance was something I could do; however, I don’t know how to handle whatever this is between us. This connection that we seem to have without meaning to. I’ve only ever read about it in romance novels. I never in a million years thought that I could have that type of bond with someone. Especially him.

“I need to use the restroom,” I admitted. It was the truth on one hand, but on the other it was just a way to escape. So I did what I do best. I ran to the confines of my bathroom to hide from him. Even if it was just for a few moments. I needed to figure out how to get him away from me and fast, but he didn’t look like the type to back down without a fight. Hopefully luck would be on my side and he would just take whatever excuse I came up with and walk away. However, it didn’t seem like it would turn out that way. Especially if he was the one who saved me last night.

* * *

I can’t believe I slept in the same bed with her last night and that I’m here this morning. What the hell is wrong with me? I could have just kept walking down her hallway last night and gone out the front door. But no. I had to stay and see what was wrong with her. I couldn’t take that look in her eyes when she pleaded with me to stay. My head is telling me to just get my things and leave. That I need to get as far away from this woman as possible. My gut, on the other hand, is telling me I need to hang around. She obviously needs someone even if she doesn’t admit it. Does that someone have to be me though? I came here to get away from everything and everyone that reminded me of what happened. So far it’s worked. Even though she doesn’t remind me of anything, I know that eventually the question will arise as to why I moved all the way here. I can’t talk about that with anyone. Especially her. EVER! I let out a sigh. Oh, the predicament I’ve gotten myself into. Everything about this woman draws me in. The pain she thinks she hides so well, her badass persona at the range, and those damn eyes. They show all of her emotions even though she thinks she has them hidden deep inside. I can see them. I want to help her. I really do. But at what cost? Can I help her without getting too attached? That’s the big question.

When she ran away, I was glad. Otherwise, I would have definitely done something stupid. Like kiss her or ask for more time with her. I needed to figure out my next plan of action before she came back. Unfortunately if she didn’t come out soon, I was going to have to figure out a way to relieve myself because my bladder couldn’t hold itself any longer. I decided that I would just knock on the door and see what happened.

I took a deep breath before gently knocking and waited for a response.

“I’ll be out in just a second,” she responded quietly.

I leaned up against the opposite wall and waited. A moment later, she came out and just stood in the doorway. Her eyes met mine and she gasped. Why would she do that?

“Can I get in there now?” I asked, needing to break our gaze fast.

“Sure. There are extra toothbrushes in the drawer. Feel free to use one of them.”

“Thanks.”

As we tried to move past each other, our arms touched. I swear I felt the electricity from the contact. I had to be imagining things because that just didn’t happen. It was a myth in romance novels. No one really reacted that way towards someone. Did they?

After I had finished, I made my way into the living room and retrieved my tennis shoes from my bag. I zipped it back up and put them on. I was just going to tell her goodbye and walk away. That was the plan that I needed to follow through with. I don’t know how much more I could take being around her without giving in and wanting to stick around.

Walking towards the kitchen, the aroma of coffee was in the air. She was leaning against the counter with a cup near her lips, blowing on the hot liquid. God, those lips are sinful and should come with a warning label. STOP. Just stop. I can’t think things like that. Not right now. Possibly not ever.

“I’m going to head out. Are you okay to be alone now?”

Stupid me. I just had to ask that question. I wasn’t sure I could walk away if the answer were no.

“Thanks again for helping me. It means a lot. I’m fine now. It was just a crazy night.”

“Glad you’re better now. See ya around.”

Walking out of the front door, I made my way out towards my truck. Thankfully she didn’t say she wasn’t okay. I would have stayed if she wasn’t and that wouldn’t have been a good thing. I didn’t need to form a bigger connection to this woman. I could ignore it now because a bond hadn’t been formed. All I did was help her out. That’s it. Nothing more.

The only problem was I couldn’t get those words she had screamed out of my head and the fact that she said she needed to feel safe again. Why didn’t she feel that way? What was her dream about? I shouldn’t be thinking these things because I couldn’t get close to her and not reveal the things she’d want to know. I’d be safer if I just stayed away. The only question that remained in my mind now was could I stay away?