“Let me get you something to wear.” He turns, leaving me alone in the bathroom. The second he’s out of my sight, a rush of panic hits me.
Mateo comes flying back to the bathroom. “What?” He checks my inner thigh, and I realize I’m whimpering.
“Sorry.”
“You say that far too much.” He tucks a piece of my hair behind my ear. “Why are you upset?”
“Got scared,” I mumble, feeling pathetic.
This is the last thing this man needs. He probably thinks I’m the weakest, most needy human he’s ever met. I’m sure none of that is helping my cause. I’m sure me being like this is only making him regret saving me from those awful men.
“I promise you’re safe here,” he reassures me. “Let me get you something clean to wear and then you can rest. Sleep will do you good.”
“Thank you.”
He nods before leaving the bathroom again.
“This will have to do.” He returns with a shirt in his hand. I take it from him, bringing it to my nose. It smells of laundry detergent and him. “I’m sure it will fall to your knees.”
“Since it's yours, I’m sure it will.” I grab my hoodie and pull it off. Mateo’s eyes widen before he spins around, giving me his back.
“Sorry.” Jeez. He really doesn’t want to see my boobs. That shouldn't bother me, but it does. He’s just being a gentleman. That’s a good thing. Ugh, what is wrong with me?
“There’s that word again.”
“I have a bra on.” It’s a sports bra. The least sexy thing in the world. It gives me a uniboob. Probably why he doesn’t want to see them. Great. Why didn’t I wear something cuter? Cause you don’t own anything cuter. Duh.
I pull the bra off since I’m going to bed before putting his shirt on. As I start to slide down off the counter, Mateo turns back around, and his hands go to my hips to help me down.
“You good?” he asks.
I nod and try not to wince at the pain.
“All right. Let's get you tucked in.” His hand wraps around my wrist, and he leads me into the bedroom. He pulls the covers back for me. I lift my knee to crawl in, but before I know it, I’m lifted up and placed gently on the bed.
“Is this your bed?” I ask, glancing around the room. It’s decorated in masculine colors but still remains pretty basic. He doesn’t have anything personal. No photos or anything that can give me some insight.
“Yeah,” He pulls the blanket over me.
“Are you, um, sleeping here too?” I run my hand over the other side of the bed.
He clears his throat. “Got a few things I need to check into before I can go to sleep.”
“Oh.” I chew on my bottom lip, not wanting to be left alone. He’s a stranger, and I know I should be focusing on stranger danger, but he saved me. I flash back to those men who grabbed me, and I can feel the fear rising up my throat.
He must see my distress. “Why don’t we keep the bedroom door open? I’ll only be in my office. Not far at all. You’re safe.”
“You’ll come back later?” I ask, hoping he isn’t planning on leaving me alone in this strange house for the night. “You have to sleep.”
“I’ll come back when I’m done.”
“Here?” I tap the other side of the bed to make sure we are clear.
He glances at the sofa along the far wall beneath dark windows.
“Please?” God, I’m so needy and foolish. But I can’t help it. He saved me. He’s the only thing that’s keeping me calm right now, making me feel safe. I want him close.
“If you’re okay with that.” He lifts a brow.
“It’s a big bed, and it is your bed.”
“All right,” he agrees.
I lie back, making myself comfortable.
“I’m going to turn this light off, but I’ll keep the hallway one on. That work for you?”
“Yes.”
“If you need me, just call my name. I’ll come.”
“Promise?” Jeez, could I be any needier?
“Promise.”
I relax, finally letting my eyes close. To my surprise, sleep finds me quickly. So do sweet dreams of my very own warrior.
5
Mateo
This is what I get for pulling a job in my own backyard. Everything’s been shot to hell, and now I have a woman in my bed who’s as mysterious as she is beautiful.
I linger in the doorway to my bedroom until I hear the even sound of her breathing. She fell asleep quickly. I hope she can rest for a long while. Her body and mind need to recover from the trauma.
Scrubbing a hand down my face, I keep watch for a few more moments. Her chest rises and falls evenly, and she looks like an out-of-place angel in my bed. Even so, I like her there. And worse than that, I like the way she asked me to sleep beside her. She’s clearly in shock still. That’s the only reason she’d want me in bed with her. But I couldn’t say no. Not to her.