Page 46 of Entangled
Her enthusiastic greeting makes me smile. “That’s me.”
“How are you? How was your day at work? I take it you got a new phone?”
“Good. Work’s shitty, but that’s nothing new.” I rub my aching lower back. “Yeah, I got another one. Same number thankfully.”
“That’s great.” A rustling noise reaches my ears. “Move it, Eugene. This ismybed.”
“Did I wake you?”
“No. I was just lying here reading, but he thinks he owns every surface in this house, my pillow included.”
I want to tell her I’m jealous the tufted-eared fucker gets to be in bed with her right now. “How was your day?” I ask instead.
“Lonely and boring.” She sighs, and the sadness in that little gust of air tightens my chest. “But, to borrow your words, that’s nothing new.”
“Thank you again for letting me stay over last night. I’m sorry if I freaked you out.”
“You’re welcome. You didn’t freak me out. I hate that you suffer every night, and I wish I could comfort you all the time.”
Me too, Princess.
“Thanks.” I reach for the water bottle on my nightstand and twist open the cap. “How are you…uh, feeling?” I ask, taking a much-needed swig.
“Are you inquiring about my vagina?”
I choke on my water, coughing violently to clear it from my lungs. I didn’t think she’d see through my veiled question. Although it shouldn’t shock me because she’s nothing if not intuitive. Besides, what the fuck else would I be referring to? Either way, her bluntness threw me for a loop. Looks like she’s full of surprises.
Since last night was her first time—and the gentleman inside me knows I was far from gentle—I want to make sure I didn’t hurt her.
I finally stop sputtering and clear my throat. “Well, I, uh—”
“Because if that’s what you’re asking, I’m wonderful.”
Yes, you fucking are.
My dick twitches as visuals from her kitchen—and studio—taunt me. She felt so perfect in my arms. I’d give anything to hold her again. Kiss her. Fuck her. Hell, she’s even the kind of woman a man could make love to.
“Happy to hear that you’re all right.”
“I’m going to see you tomorrow,” she murmurs.
“Yeah?” I never know my stops until Joe hands over the list each morning.
“I placed a grocery order.”
“What if it doesn’t ship that fast?”
“Oh, it will. I paid for express delivery.”
I smirk at her matter-of-fact tone. “Why would you do a thing like that?”
“Because I’d do just about anything to spend more time with you.”
My chest tightens. Chelsea never wanted to deal with me after I returned from overseas—not that I can blame her—but this sweet, beautiful woman saw the ugliest parts of me and didn’t run away screaming.
“Really?” I need to make sure I heard her correctly. It doesn’t seem possible she’d want to shroud herself in my darkness.
“Yes, really. And just so you know, I’ve ordered a bunch of stuff for next week, so you’ll probably be here every day. I’d apologize for making you drive all the way up here, but I’m not sorry.”
