Chapter 13
EVIE
I’m standing with my back resting against the door as Rhett apologizes.
Only when the cold becomes unbearable, and I’m shivering uncontrollably, do I open the door slightly. I’m relieved to see that Rhett is not in the room as I pick up the sweats. I close and lock the door before I let the water run so it can warm up first.
Stripping off my clothes isn’t easy as it sticks to my skin like glue. When I’ve finally undressed, steam fills the bathroom. I step into the shower and lean my forehead against the tiles as the warm water chases the chill from my body.
My mind turns to everything that’s happened today. For five months Rhett has basically ignored me, and now this? I don’t understand any of it or his weird behavior.
The man stripped down to his boxers in front of me!
My face flushes as I remember every muscle and inch of golden skin that my eyes got to feast on.
I’ve never had a crush on a guy before. Hell, I was too busy surviving to think about the opposite sex, or dating for that matter.
But whenever I get to see Rhett, my hormones sit up and notice while my heart swoons.
I know nothing can ever come of it, but it sure doesn't stop me from hoping.
I should be angry with Rhett for tossing me over his shoulder like that, and for bringing me here instead of taking me home, but I can’t.
A smile plays around my mouth because I liked it a little too much when he turned all caveman on me.
And the two slaps to my butt.
My stomach flutters and my skin tingles just from remembering what it felt like to have his hands on my body, even if it wasn’t meant to be sexual.
Sigh, I reach for the soap and start to wash my body when I remember how harsh he spoke to me. All the good feelings evaporate into the steam, and my heart grows heavy.
The only reason I didn’t argue with him about showering here is because he said the last thing he needs is me getting sick. He thinks it will cost him more money should I ever get ill, but he’s wrong. Now that I have a job of my own, I’m going to start taking care of myself. Soon I’ll be able to tell Rhett he doesn’t need to pay for anything else, and I’ll be in a position where I can begin to repay him everything I owe.
When I’m done showering, and my body is warm, I quickly dry myself off before stepping into the sweats. They’re a bit too big, and I have to roll the waistband over a few times. When I pull on the shirt, it falls to my butt.
I glance down at myself and pull a face at the unflattering sight. Picking up my wet clothes, I hope I can use Rhett’s dryer, that way I won’t have to stay in this oversized outfit for too long.
∞∞∞
I feel out of place as I go in search of Rhett. I haven’t seen any of Rhett’s friends since he started helping me and I’m hoping that I don’t run into any of them.
Walking through the living room, I hope I’m heading in the right direction.
When I get to the kitchen, I’m relieved to see that none of the other guys are here. With a little luck, none of them are home.
My eyes find Rhett where he’s drinking coffee while staring out the window. He’s still shirtless, and the view of his muscled back sends tingles racing through my body. Even though he was rude to me, I can’t be angry with him.
My eyes drop to his butt, and I let out a breathy sigh. He’s got one hell of a sexy behind. I should know. I had a close-up view of it earlier.
He turns around, and my eyes dart up to his face, hoping he didn’t catch me gawking at him.
“Come get some coffee,” he says.
I take a few steps forward before I remember the wet clothes in my hands.
“Do you have a dryer I can use?”
He sets down his cup, and the movement draws my gaze to his chest. I wish he would put on a shirt because it’s way too distracting to have him running around without one on.
“Yeah, sure.”
I follow him into the laundry room that’s twice the size of my kitchen. I wonder if the guys even do their own laundry.
I shove my clothes into the dryer and set the timer. When I’m done, I wipe my hands on the sides of my pants and turn to face Rhett. He’s standing much closer to me than I expected, and I take a step backward, only to bump into the dryer.
Feeling out of sorts, I tuck some wet strands behind my ear before pointing to the kitchen.
“Coffee… ahh… I’ll make some.” Ugh, I’m an idiot for getting all flustered just because there’s a half-naked man in front of me.
I squeeze by him, and when my arm brushes against his, it sends electric jolts darting from my arm to between my legs. It’s nothing compared to what I felt when he placed his hand on my butt, but it’s enough to jumble my emotions.
I’ve known Rhett for six months, and I still don’t have a clue how to act around him. Whenever he’s close by, it feels as if I’m standing on a piece of wood that’s being tossed around by waves. Everything becomes wobbly, especially my emotions.
When I see that his cup is empty, I glance at him.
“Can I pour you another cup?”
He comes to stand right by me and leans against the counter with his hip. Crossing his arms over his chest, he says in a rough voice, “Yeah, thanks.”
I devour his bulging biceps before I have to tear my eyes away. I’m grateful that I have something to keep my hands busy, even if it’s just for a few seconds.
I slide his cup closer to him, then take a sip of my own. I keep my eyes glued to the counter in front of me.
“How’s school?” he asks.
This is good. It’s safe. I’m used to Rhett asking me questions about school.
“It’s good.”
I want to ask him how his classes are, but I’m scared he’ll think I’m referring to his blowjob session with Josie. Instead, I drink my coffee.
“Tell me about yourself,” he says, which makes me swallow hard on the mouthful of coffee.
“Myself?” I say, my voice sounding croaky from the sip which almost ended up in the wrong hole.
“Yeah,” he says, and hearing the smile in the one word, I glance at him.
“But you know everything about me,” I say lamely, hoping we can move off this topic. I hate talking about myself.
“No, I don’t,” he argues. “Have you always lived in North Carolina?”
I nod and use the cup as a buffer to hide behind. Too quickly my coffee is finished. I rinse the cup before walking to the laundry room. I don’t care if the clothes are wet. I’ll only have to wear them until I get home.
“It takes more than ten minutes for clothes to dry,” Rhett says.
“I know,” I mutter, feeling a little irritated that he pointed it out. “I have to get home.”
Before I can reach the dryer, an arm slips around my waist. Rhett’s chest presses against my back as he lifts me off my feet.
Instinctively I grab hold of his forearms. “Put me down.”
Rhett chuckles as he walks through the kitchen, never letting go. Only when we reach the living room, does he set me down in front of the couch.
“Sit. We can watch a movie while your clothes dry.”
I scowl at him as I plop down on the couch. “Yes, Sir,” I say wryly. He’s so damn controlling.
When heat flares in his eyes, I regret being so snippy. I quickly look away as I scoot into the corner and bring my legs up to my chest, wrapping my arms around them.
Rhett sits down next to me and teasingly says, “Only women tied to my bed call me sir.”
My mouth drops open as my eyes dart to him. I can’t believe he just said that.