“I didn’t have anything of value.” She looks down sadly at her plate.
“I’m sorry” is all I can think to say.
“Thank you.”
“Heidi, can I ask you something?” She looks up at me through her lashes and then nods. “Why were you staying there? I gave you enough money to pay for an apartment for months if you needed to.”
“I have to use it for school.” She shrugs like it’s not a big deal.
“Why didn’t you take out student loans or get a credit card?” I’m thinking of all the different scenarios that led her to where she is, and I don’t understand how she ended up at that shitty motel.
“I don’t have any credit, and I wasn’t approved for loans. I don’t have any family that can help me either.” She volunteers the last bit of information like she can read my thoughts.
“I see.” I nod and try not to think about her working at Heaven’s Door, but I can’t help it. “How long have you been working at, uh—”
“That was my first night.” Her voice is barely above a whisper, and her eyes stay on her plate.
“You don’t need to go back.” My words come out sharper than I intend, but I mean them all the same. “Since you have a free place to stay now.” It’s a pitiful excuse, but it’s reason enough to keep her out of there.
“I’m too tired to fight you right now, but I’ll figure something out soon. Thanks for letting me stay here while I do that.” I press my lips together just as she places her fork down on her plate. “I can’t eat any more. I was starving, but it’s been a long day, and I’m exhausted.”
“All right,” I agree and stand from the table. “I’ll show you to your room.” When I hold out my hand, I’m relieved that she takes it easily and comes with me. “I’ve had the room cleared for you and your things.”
“Where will you be sleeping?” she asks as we climb the stairs.
“There’s a spare room next to the master. It’s got a bed, which is all I need.”
“So you’ll be close if I need anything?” She glances up at me shyly and then back at the floor.
“Are you scared to sleep here?” I squeeze her hand as we approach the bedroom door.
“I don’t know this place, and I don’t really know you.” She looks down at her feet as she comes to a stop. “I’m always nervous in a new environment, but—” She looks around and then shrugs like that should explain everything.
When I move my hand toward her face, I do it slowly so I don’t startle her. Brushing the back of my knuckles along her cheek and jaw, I look at her and wait for her to meet my eyes. It doesn’t take long, and when she finally does, my insides melt.
“I’m here to take care of you, nothing else.” I nod to the door behind her. “That room is safe for you, and I won’t go in without asking.” Moving just a little closer, my body presses into hers. “Not without you asking me to.”
“Okay.” Her voice is soft, and her lips part.
I nod to the door behind me. “My room is right there, and you don’t need permission to come in.” Her breath catches in her throat as I trail my fingers down the tender skin of her neck. “The next time I kiss you…” I lean down just a little so I can feel her breath against my mouth. “I won’t pay for it.”
With one last look in her hooded eyes, I open the door to the master bedroom and wait for her to walk inside. She hesitates for half a second before she goes through and turns to look at me.
“Good night, Heidi.”
“Good night, Reese.”
Closing the door and leaving her in my room alone might be one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do, but I know right now she needs to trust me. Even if that means staying awake all night and imagining her in my bed, in my sheets, all soft and warm.
The guest room next to the master is bare bones, but there’s an attached bath with a shower. I take a quick one, ignoring the throb in my cock because I know there’s nothing that can be done about it. Even if I jerk off, it won’t go down. I’ve learned that lesson already.
By the time I get into the small bed, it’s late, and there’s a storm beginning outside. Thunder in the distance is loud, and it’s getting closer. There’s a flash of lightning, and the lamp beside my bed flickers. The rain is heavy against the windows, and all I can think is that the outside world matches the storm going on in my heart.