Sienna wrapped her head in the towel, quickly pulled the white shirt on, and buttoned it up to the top before going through her backpack for one of the few pairs of underwear she brought. She smiled at the mirror. The shirt hung down to her knees, making her look like she was playing dress-up.
She rolled up the sleeves the best she could, brushed her teeth, and then finger-combed her hair. There was no way she could’ve brought a blow dryer, so she decided to just ask because there was no way she’d be able to sleep with wet hair.
The breath caught in her lungs when she spotted Kane. All he had on was a pair of loose shorts, and it looked like his hair was wet.
“Did you shower?”
He looked up at her and smiled. “Damn, woman, you are beautiful. And yes, I did in the other bathroom. I put some supplies in there for you, but we’ll have to get some more feminine ones for you.”
“Oh.”
“Did you need something, baby?”
“I … yes. Do you have a blow dryer I can use?”
“Sure.”
She moved to the side to let him pass and then watched as he opened one of the drawers, pulled something out, and set it on the counter before coming to stand in front of her and cup her chin.
“I want you to feel at home here. You don’t have to ask to go through anything in this house.”
Sienna exhaled as he caressed her cheek with his thumb. While she desperately wanted to believe him, her whole life, she hadn’t trusted anyone, not even her mom. It was going to take some time. She had to admit she’d never felt so safe in her life. Staring up at him, she nodded. “Okay.”
He helped redo the sleeves of the shirt he’d given her, so she’d have more mobility, and then kissed the tip of her nose. “Take your time.”
He closed the door behind him, and she stood and stared at it for a long moment. She’d heard and read about desire, but she’d never come close to ever feeling it until she’d met Kane. She also hadn’t realized it would make her ache with an intense passion, filled with need.
Sienna quickly dried her hair, washed out her panties, and hung them over the tub. She would have to ask where the nearest Walmart was because she would need more clothes. The fact she’d left everything but another pair of jeans and shirt started to make her angry. Her things weren’t in great shape, but they were hers and she worked hard for them.
She just prayed the people from the neighborhood she’d left would leave her alone to live her life. After taking a deep breath, she opened the door and turned off the light.
Kane stood by the bedroom door. “Come on, baby. I’ll take you to the other bedroom.” He held out his hand.
“I … yes.” She knew having her own bed was the right thing to do, but a secret part of her wished she were sleeping with him wrapped around her, to make her feel cherished and safe.
She swallowed and took his hand.
He pulled her toward a door next to his bedroom and opened the door.
“You’ll be comfortable here. If you have any problems or questions, come and get me.” He whipped the blanket back so she could slide in. “Come on, get in.” He covered her up and then turned off the bedside light. “Good night, baby.”
“Good night.” Sienna watched him leave, and she instantly felt lonely.
She wished Riley were there beside her. Her friend had always given her strength and self-confidence. She’d ask Kane if she could call her in the morning, and maybe they’d be able to see each other.
Several minutes went by, and she couldn’t seem to relax, tossing and turning before she could get comfortable. She realized this was the first night she’d been in bed and not heard a thing. Back at the apartment, it had been angry voices, babies crying, and souped-up cars passing by.
At camp, the sounds had been owls, crickets, the wind through the trees, and the girls in her cabin moving around in their beds and snoring.
Finally, she could feel herself start to fall asleep, and her last thought was of Kane.