After tossing and turning for a few hours, I finally fell into a restless sleep. Just the memory of her in my clothes last night and her fragile body wrapped in my arms would keep any man awake most of the night.

I can’t imagine what this girl has been through at the hands of that asshole, but there is no doubt in my mind she’s done with it. Ready for a fresh start, but the idea has to be overwhelming. I won’t deny the attraction I have toward her. However, the last thing she needs is my old ass pining after her. I’ll help her get back on her feet and then send her on her way, that’s it. Rosie palm and I will become reacquainted with one another until she leaves.

Climbing out of bed, I head toward the attached bathroom, blasting the hot water. The room quickly fills with steam and thoughts of my house guest once again fill my mind. I make a mental list of all the dirty things I would love to be doing to her right now as I palm my cock.

After handling business, I turn off the shower to reluctantly start my day. Wrapping a towel around my waist, I head toward the kitchen to start the coffee. I stop short when I notice Emma cooking, coffee already going.

She’s so focused on cooking that I can take stock of her appearance. Her bruises look worse than last night, and I’m sure she feels like shit, causing my need to protect her and fuck her senseless to be at war with each other. At this point, I’m not sure which one would win.

“Emma, I didn’t expect to see you up so early.” I try not to startle her as I walk further into the kitchen.

“I… um… I couldn’t sleep. So when I heard you, I figured I would make myself useful.”

As she turns from the stove, I notice she’s making pancakes, my favorite. Damn, I can't remember the last time someone cooked for me. “Thank you for breakfast, pancakes are my favorite. Did you make enough for one more? Katie said she would be here sometime this morning, knowing her, she’s going to just show up.”

Emma refuses to look me in the eye, I made sure I covered everything up before I left the bathroom. She seems more nervous than she was last night.

I watch her fidget in place. She opens and closes her mouth a few times, unable to speak

“Just spit it the fuck out, it’s not like you’ve never seen a naked man before.”

Every time I’m in the same room with this girl, I’m either yelling at her or trying to fuck her. I need to get her out of my house and quick. This is not going to end well for either of us.

Emma just points at me before turning her head in the opposite direction.

“What the fuck are you pointing at?”

It’s then that I look down and realize that I have a hard-on the size of a baby's arm while wearing only a towel. “I’ll be right back.”

I’ve never wanted someone as bad as I want Jimmy right now. I try to ignore the ache between my legs and focus back on finishing breakfast. I can’t get the image of the drops of water trickling down his taut abs. I wanted to lick them off his skin with my tongue and beg him to take me right here on the kitchen counter. This can’t be normal, what the hell is wrong with me?

“Get it together, girl. He probably sees you as nothing more than a child anyway,” mumbling to myself, I continue to put the finishing touches on breakfast.

There has to be something there, especially after seeing that impressive hard-on he was sporting in the kitchen. Man, what I wouldn’t give to have my lips wrapped around that. Just the thought of it has spit pooling in my mouth.

I shake these thoughts out of my head and carry breakfast to the table. There isn’t much I can do, but cooking is one of them. It’s the least I can do and judging by the contents of his fridge, home cooking would be a great way to repay him. I’m just placing everything else on the table when he reappears, I have to stop myself from drooling.

Everything about him says sex, from the smirk on his face to the swagger of his hips when he approaches me. I want to climb him like a tree.

He must have noticed because he has a knowing smirk on his face as he takes a seat at the table. Cocky Bastard.

“Is there anyone I can call for you? You probably only called me because of the time.”

I’m not ready to deal with him and all of this just yet. Nowhere is safe right now, at least not until Justin gets back.

“Please, can I just stay here? At least until my brother gets back. You do own a bar, right? I was a waitress back home, I can help.” I don’t want to beg, but I will.

I try not to panic, I don’t know what I am going to do if he makes me leave. I know Javier is going to find me, I may end up dead. I feel like the walls are starting to close in around me,

“Breathe with me, Emma,” Jimmy whispers in my ear, the scruff of his beard rubs against my cheek.

I breathe in his scent, whiskey, and leather, as I turn my face into his shoulder. We breathe together in and out until the panic begins to subside. As I begin to pull away, Jimmy places his hand against my cheek. I snuggle into his palm and close my eyes, taking in the sensation.

“Better?”

Without a word, I nod ‘yes.’

“Since you’ll be here for a while, we should probably get to know each other,” he says without moving a muscle.

Just like that, he agrees to let me stay. I sigh in relief.

“If you don’t want me here, I can go. I know I just freaked out, but there are other places I can stay. You said something about Katie, right? I guess I can go there if it isn’t too much trouble for her.“

I have no desire to go to Katie’s house, I want to stay here with him. The thought of leaving him takes my breath away, but I can’t expect him to put me back together. I got myself into this mess, and now I have to figure out how to get myself out, with or without Jimmy around.

“That’s not what I’m saying, Little Bit. I think it’s a good idea to get a feel for the person I’ll be spending so much time with.” He smiles at me.

“I guess that’s fair, nothing special about me.” I have no desire to see the look of pity in his eyes, but I meet his stare head on.

“I’m sure there’s something, no need to be embarrassed.”

“Seriously, I came here for college because my parents figured I can’t be trusted without a babysitter. I guess they were right.”

“I’m not looking to be your babysitter, just want to get to know you. What you like and don’t like. Your brother won’t be home for a while, the better for us to be friends than enemies don’t you think? Just remember, if I didn’t want you here, I’d kick you out.”

He’s a no bullshit kind of guy, that makes me smile. He reminds me a lot of my brother. I think the two of us are going to get along just fine.

“I appreciate that, but as much as I enjoy sleeping in your clothes, I’m going to need to get some of my own,” I say, embarrassment staining my cheeks.

“When you feel up to it, I’ll have Katie bring some things over for you. I’m sure she will have something you can wear.”

“Thanks.”

“Do you want to talk about it?” Fear and surprise make my breathing speed up at his question. I barely manage to shake my head ‘no’ as I try to calm down. I know logically he only wants to help, I’m sure anyone in my situation would need to talk to someone about what happened, but all I can think is that he will hear about my stupidity and look at me differently. I can’t take seeing that look of disappointment, even if it is from someone I barely know.

“If you want to talk about it, I’ll listen.” The look of sympathy in his eyes is evident, but he says nothing as I get ready to share my story...