Her Rock (Rocky Start)

****

The sun peeks through the curtains, waking me out of my warm sleep. Whit’s strong arms are banded around me like steel with his muscles corded as if he’s afraid that I’ll disappear. A moan escapes my lips and echoes so loudly that I whisper, “Oh shit.”

“Good morning, sweet girl.”

“I’m not sweet at all.”

“I beg to differ. That honey between your legs is the sweetest thing I’ve ever had.” I blush, but since I’m still not facing him, he can’t see it.

“Are you hungry?”

“No. I just need a cup of coffee.”

“At your request, ma’am. Although I am hungry, so I’m gonna start some breakfast.” He releases his grip and heads out of the room. Since he didn’t give me a tour, I’ll have to follow my nose. Slipping on his shirt again, I look for my panties and can’t find them, so I go to the bathroom and rinse off in the shower before putting on a clean pair. His shirt goes back on me because I’m not ready to part with it just yet. Finally, I make my way out of the bedroom to the main hallway. Looking and sniffing the air, I follow my nose into a large gray and granite kitchen. It’s gorgeous, something out of a display model or something. I could get lost in this baby all day, but it’s the man facing the stove that draws my attention.

It takes him a second to turn around. “Wow, I just love seeing you in nothing but a tee shirt.”

“I have panties too.”

“Damn it. Still sexy as hell. Have a seat and I’ll pour you a cup of coffee.”

I pull out a stool along the island and sit down facing him. He grabs two mugs from a cabinet and fills them. “I only have milk and sugar.”

“That’s fine with me. I only need sugar.” He slides over his sugar jar that’s absolutely adorable.

“Where did you get this?” I ask, holding up a little pig with a badge.

“It was a gag gift at the station and well, I could use it, so I have it out.”

“I’m surprised.”

“We don’t get offended here about things like that.”

“I like that. So are you an expert cook?”

“No, but I’m not bad.”

“I’m fairly good in the kitchen myself. Maybe I’ll show you one day.” I wink at him and then take a drink of my coffee. “Wow, this is so good.” It’s brewed just right and a hint stronger than I would make it, and I might just have to ask his scoops-to-cups ratio. I live on coffee.

“Thanks. So tell me a little bit about yourself,” he says, turning his hash browns.

“Well, I’m a data-entry employee at a medical board.”

“Do you like it?”

“No, but it helps pay the bills,” I remark, feeling inadequate. He’s so established, and I’m just getting started in life.

“Do you want to be anything else?”

“A lot of things, but I’m not ready to share that just yet.”

“Fine, keep your secrets for now. I’ll wait. I’m a very patient man.” Yes, he’s proven that. A virgin who only gave and didn’t receive.

We spent the morning sharing his breakfast because although I said I wasn’t hungry, he made extra, which I’m grateful for because the smell of the sausage woke up my appetite. After washing the dishes together, he takes me on a tour of the house. It’s so pretty and well-kept for a man who lives alone. It raises suspicions in me, but I don’t ask because he hasn’t given me any reason to doubt him other than a natural distrust of men.

Chapter Four

Whitaker

This day has been the best I’ve ever had, and we’ve only kissed, eaten together, and watched movies as rain pelted the roof for several hours. As we sit on the sofa, I pull apart just slightly so I can look her in the eyes and say what needs to be said. “Lydia, I need to tell you something before this goes any further between us.”

A shiver runs through her. “I don’t like the sound of that. I have a feeling I’m not going to like what you have to say.”

I intertwine our fingers and bring them to my lips, kissing them softly before I add, “It’s not that I don’t want to be with you, but I want you to know something.”

She pulls one hand free and brushes it down my scruffy jaw. “What is it, Whit?”

“So I told you that I was in a hostage situation, but I never said who held me captive. It was my mother.” Her eyes widen, but she doesn’t say anything, so I continue. “One day, she learned that my father was having an affair and he had asked for a divorce to be with this woman. Unable to handle it, she killed him and debated on killing me. I managed to call the police before she shot me.”