I was relieved that, after meeting two days before, she didn’t find it creepy and agreed to let me take care of her. Besides the fact that I simply didn’t want to stay at that old house, I wasn’t going to leave her alone. Technically, the doctor did tell me she shouldn’t be alone, even though I think those instructions probably expired after she woke up from her little nap.

The night was a little chilly, so I built a small fire outside in the firepit, and cooked us some steaks on the grill. I couldn’t wait until the whole outdoor kitchen was done, but that would have to wait for now. Normally, I’d have come home from work by now and be working on it, but tending to her was far more important. I wrapped her up in a blanket, and Remmington took to her immediately, his big head resting on her lap while we laughed and talked outside, simply enjoying each other’s company. That dog was the best. He was a golden labrador, and the goofiest dog in the world; I knew he’d love her. Who wouldn’t?

I kept trying to fight the fact that I was so into this chick after such a short period of time. But it was like she walked into my life, right when she needed me; yet, at the same time, I didn’t know I needed someone like her in it. She let me cook for her and dote on her, which I absolutely loved doing. Even though she kept trying to get up and help, and I kept telling her to relax and rest. After dinner was cleaned up, she took her drugs, and I could see she was getting sleepy. I was pretty tired myself after the day we’d had. I wanted to do a more thorough runthrough of her house the next day, and a good night’s sleep would be good for both of us.

“Come on, let’s go to bed.” I pulled her by the hand.

“To bed?” she whispered.

“Yes, let’s go to bed, babe.”

“Together?” She seemed surprised.

“Yes, together. We’ve been through this. That train left the station yesterday, Jacinda. I have a nice, big, comfortable bed that your grandmother has not slept in. I won’t touch you if you don’t want me to,” I said, hoping she’d let me hold her all night.

“You raise a valid point, sir.” She smirked, and got up.

“How are you feeling?” I asked, pulling her close to me.

“Like I could sleep for a week, to be honest,” she giggled.

“Haha, alright. Come on then.” I kissed the top of her head and led her to my bedroom. At the top of the stairs was my master suite, which was the size of much of the downstairs, and it had floor to ceiling windows. I just wanted it to be open, and I wanted to be able to lay in bed and watch the snowfall in the winter, or the sun rise, when I wanted to.

She stood hesitantly in the doorway, scanning the room. “Flynn, this house is absolutely stunning. That view is incredible.”

Sharing it with her felt special. “Come in and look.” I walked to the window and waved her over.

We stood in front of the windows, taking in the view. I pulled her into me, her back resting against my chest, and I wrapped my arms around her. “This is beautiful,” she whispered.

“You’re beautiful,” I whispered back.

Slowly, she turned to face me, placing her hands softly on my chest . Her touch ignited a fire within me, kickstarting my heart, which was pounding against my ribcage. As she lifted her eyes to meet mine, the crystal blue was highlighted from the glow of the moon and the stars outside the window, and I leaned down to kiss her gently. Reciprocating my every touch, she ran her hands down my chest, wrapping them around my back, pulling me closer to her. It was the softest, most romantic, kiss of my life, and if I could have done nothing more than kiss her like that every day of my life, I’d die a happy man.

Part of me, of course, wanted to ravage her again, but I didn’t. She needed to rest, and I wanted her to know that I didn’t bring her to my home for sex, but to be cared for. I begrudgingly pulled away, surprising her.

“Is something wrong?” she asked me.

“Dear God, no baby.” I pulled her to me, hugging her tightly. “I didn’t bring you here for that. I brought you here to rest, and so I could keep an eye on you.”

“I know, but…” She seemed confused.

“There’s plenty of time for that. Come on, I’m going to give you a t-shirt to wear, and we’re going to lay down and get some sleep. You’ve had a hell of a day.”

She stuck her lower lip out and pouted. “But...I’m fine.” That lip. Fuck. I wanted her so bad, and I was not gonna do it. I was gonna behave, even if it kept me up all night.

“Come on.” I pulled her over to the bed and sat her down, then walked to the dresser and grabbed her my favorite Nebraska State football t-shirt. Not only was it my favorite, but I knew she’d look sexy as fuck in it. “Here you go, baby. The bathroom is right over there, and I should have anything you need. But if I don’t, tomorrow, we can get you whatever we’re missing.”

“Tomorrow? I’m going home tomorrow, aren’t I?” She took the t-shirt, hugging it to her chest.

“We’ll see what we find at the house. I’d rather you stayed here with me. The thought of you staying way out there by yourself bothers me, especially since you like to answer the door for strangers, wearing nothing but a towel. If you’re here, I know that won’t happen,” I said jokingly, even though I was quite serious. There would be no more of that; she was mine. I admitted it. I just had to convince her of it.

I changed while she was in the bathroom, but when she opened the door, my jaw dropped. She stood in the doorway, wearing nothing but my football t-shirt and a smile. Her dark brown hair flowing around her shoulders, the light of the bathroom behind her casting a halo around her sexy figure. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Be the good guy. You can do it. I gave myself an internal pep talk while ogling her.

“Jesus Christ, Jacinda,” I muttered.

“What? Is something wrong?” She looked down, inspecting herself to see what I was staring at. It was her, and she had no fucking idea. God, I couldn’t get enough of her.

“No,” I chuckled, running my hand through my hair. “Nothing is wrong at all, baby. Come here.” I pulled the covers down for her to climb in, and caught a glimpse of her bruise. It covered what looked like her ass and went up her back and down her leg. “Fuck baby. Let me see.” I lifted the shirt up, and it looked awful.

“It’s not as bad as it looks,” she said.

“It looks like it really hurts.” I touched her gently.

“It does, but not bad. Those pills are great.” She laughed. “Good thing I ate first this time, though. Who knows what crazy stuff I would have said.”

I helped her crawl into my king-sized bed, then slipped in beside her. “I don’t know; they were kinda like little truth pills. We should save some,” I teased her.

As we settled in, and she did what I’d hoped, snuggling into me. I wrapped my arms around her; she was a perfect fit. I wished, in that moment, we hadn’t had our first intimate moments at that damn bar. She deserved to be treated like a princess; hell, she deserved to be treated like a queen. My queen.

I sighed heavily, relaxing into the moment. “Is everything ok? Am I squishing you?” she asked.

“No baby, you’re not squishing me. I don’t remember the last time I was this comfortable, actually. Now get some rest.” I kissed the top of her head, and she kissed my chest, where she rested her head. The last thing I remember was smelling that sweet honeysuckle scent of hers before I drifted off to sleep with her in my arms.