Page 27 of West (The Moral Compass 1)
Oh, no. Scrap that, I need my nice ones.
Dumping all the stuff on the counter, I head back to the bedroom and search for my new sets of undies. I bought these on the off chance I might, at some point, meet someone and have the opportunity to wear them. I’m not the type of girl who normally matches her bras and briefs, but I think I may just have to start, and today will be the first day.
Everything is positioned where I need it. I sit on the chair in the shower and turn on the water. I’m braced, ready for the blast of cold water you always get at the beginning, but I’m pleasantly surprised when the water comes through at a beautifully hot temperature.
Wow, so this is what money does. You don’t have to wait a good two minutes for the water to get warm. Don’t get used to this, Sutton, it’s only temporary and for a few weeks max. You’ll be back to the mediocre showers sooner than you think.
The water washes over me, and the troubles and pain melt away. For the first time in months, I can feel myself starting to relax. My shoulders release, and my elbows relax.
Oh, this is the life.
I sit in the shower for what feels like hours with the water rolling over me. A shower for me is usually a quick in and out; I do what I need to do, get dressed, and move on with life. But today? This is heaven. I never get time to just sit and relax, even on a weekend. I’m suitably washed, cleaned, and trimmed. I’m relaxed and chilled.
“Sutton, you okay in there?” I hear West call from the bedroom.
“Yeah, I’m fine. I’m just getting out now,” I reply.
“Don’t get out on my account, Sutton. If you need to stay in there for another three hours, feel free.”
At first, when he called, I was a little agitated. All my life, I’ve been bossed around and made to feel guilty for any pleasure I had, but his second call was completely unexpected. He wants me to be happy. Wow, even Kara can sometimes push my buttons and make me feel guilty for wanting something for me. She doesn’t mean to, and she usually has my best interests at heart, but still… This feels strange.
Okay, Sutton, time to spruce yourself up and get yourself going. Sitting around all day either on the couch or in the shower is not going to keep your brain occupied.
Aunty Sarah used to say “idle brains make work for the devil.” In other words, you get into trouble or make trouble if you’re bored. And, at that moment, I have an idea.
Chapter 22
West
God,thisgirlisgoing to give me a heart attack at this rate. The injuries, the slipping with the crutches, the panic attack, and now, choking on fresh air. I can’t help but laugh, though. She is such a fighter, but the fact she tried to get my attention by coughing instead of just shouting at me is fairly sweet. She didn’t know I was on the phone with my sister. Because she doesn’t know about my family yet. It’s not that I don’t want to tell her. I will, but she needs to be a little more together to understand our dynamics and our history.
I don’t tell everyone I meet about me and my family, and I don’t fully understand why I feel I can tell Sutton, but I do, and if she asks, I won’t lie to her. I just hope she gives me enough time for her to get to know me before she starts with the questions. She’s not a shy girl, so I know they will come, but I’m hoping for a little more time before they do.
How long can one woman take in the shower? She’s been in there for over two hours. I’m not one to complain, but it’s past lunchtime. Add that to my unexpected mid-morning workout, and I’m hungry. I’m not going to rush her, though. I have a feeling she needs the time and space.
I hear the clacking of the crutches on the tiled floor before I look up and see her. Her lips are moving as she’s walking, but I can’t hear a word. Her face is animated and she is smiling, but I just keep looking at her. Her lips, her hips, her cleavage which is now displaying a tiny hint of those amazing tits, her legs that go on for miles.
She’s dressed in tight skinny jeans and a tight fitting jade-green blouse. I can see every curve of her body as if she was undressed. The sight of her naked body earlier will be burnt into my memory forever and now, even as she is dressed and standing in front of me, the memory is flooding back.
“What do you think, West?” I finally hear words.
“Sorry, Sutton, I didn’t hear what you said. I was miles away. Thinking of work stuff.”
“Oh, that’s great. It was what I was talking about. As I’m here for the next few weeks before starting work, I’d like to start learning more about the business. More about the products, the people, and also the background. You know, the stuff you can’t find on Google. It will help me hit the ground running and show that I’m your favourite for more than one reason.”
A big, broad smile crosses her face, and then she winks. She fucking winks at me. I’m done for. I don’t have favourites at work or at home. I don’t even have a favourite sibling, but she is very quickly becoming my favourite person on the planet, and I don’t know why. She hasn’t even been here a full day, but she is under my skin, and I feel like she is becoming part of me already.
You need to stop thinking like this, West, or you’re going to do something you will not be happy with.
I try to talk to myself in my head, but I have conflicting conversations going on in that headspace of mine. MaybeIneed to go and sit in a shower for a couple of hours.
“Sounds good, Sutton, but first we need to eat. I’m starving and you must be too.”
“Well, I am really hungry, actually, and I could eat anything you suggest. What do you fancy? I can try and cook you something, but you might need to help pass me things.” She looks down at the crutches, and I understand the predicament.
“It’s fine, Sutton, I’ll just order something in. What do you want?”
“Really, West? It’s lunchtime. I’m not ordering takeaway for lunch. I’m sure you have stuff for a sandwich or a pizza in your freezer?”
