“You’re very welcome.” I brought my mouth to hers and kissed her deeply. “Hang out, do whatever you want, but don’t answer the door or go outside just in case he decided to track my vehicle yesterday. If he’s desperate, he might go house to house. And I’d take you along, but I don’t think you should be around town just yet. Not until I hear back from my friend, at least. Call my cell phone if you need me.”
She brought her lips to my ear and kissed my lobe, then she whispered, “I need you.”
“Mm. I’ll try to hurry back. Don’t go anywhere. I left you those clothes. They’ll be huge on you, but at least you’ll be warm. You’re welcome to use my washer for your clothes.” I hated leaving her there alone, but I knew it was for the best.
“I’ll be waiting.” She closed her eyes and kissed me, her pouty lips moving softly against mine.
I hurried downstairs and got my package and then headed down to UPS. While I was on my way, I looked everywhere for Nick’s car but didn’t see him anywhere. Once I had the leg safely shipped off, I went to Liza’s and found her sitting on her porch, a cigarette dangling from her mouth. She quickly snuffed it out when she saw me coming.
“Sorry, I don’t smoke often, and never in my house, but this shit with Dream’s ex has me on edge.”
“I understand, and it’s okay. We all have our vices, I suppose. I like a good bottle of bourbon now and then.” I followed her into the house where a little boy was sleeping peacefully in this playpen.
“Brady wore himself out, and he’s missing Dream like crazy. Tell her he sends his love. And I just want to thank you for taking such good care of her. She’s a good girl, you know. I know it’s not my place, but I think maybe all this is happening for a reason.” The woman was much more animated than I’d ever seen her and I was sure it was her nerves. “I think the two of you were made for each other; kindred spirits kind of stuff.”
“I won’t disagree we are pretty good together.”
“Well, you just take good care of her, you hear me? If her ex finds her, things could get ugly and she doesn’t deserve any more of that.”
I agreed with her wholeheartedly, and if I had my way, it would never come to that. I went in and gathered Dream’s things and tossed them in my truck before heading back home. I couldn’t wait to see what she looked like in my clothes. Or better yet, what she looked like out of them.
CHAPTER 14 – DREAM
Things had been great when Chance had come back with my clothes on Saturday, and he’d even bought me a new phone. After he’d shown me how to use it, he’d stripped his clothes off me and fucked me in nearly every room of his house. Even now, I couldn’t walk into the kitchen without blushing at the memory of almost breaking the table. The rest of the day was spent with him in his workshop while he explained to me how he made the prostheses and showed me the one he was working on at that moment. I was in awe of his innovation and his attention to detail.
Just before dinner, an order for a new limb that they wanted Chance to design came in. It had been exciting seeing him in action—how enthusiastic he was, how professional. I could see that he really cared about his work and the people he worked for while he spoke to the customer in a down to earth way. He wasn’t arrogant about his talent, or self-absorbed as Nick had been.
And at the end of the phone call, he’d made a promise to meet up the next day. He’d gone to bed early, hoping to be rested for his long Sunday drive, and lay there next to him, trying my damnedest not to touch him.
The next morning, he hurried to dress while I made breakfast. “I’m sorry, it’s the name of the game. I need to go down and make a casting of their leg. They’re on a tight schedule, and I try to accommodate whenever possible.”
“I understand. It’s your work.”
“I’d bring you along, but— ”
“You don’t have to explain or apologize. I’m fine.” I didn’t want to be a bother to him, and I knew he had obligations. He was already doing so much for me. “I tell you what, I’ll tidy up; dust the furniture, throw out some of the science experiments in the fridge, wipe the place down, sweep and vacuum, and then cook you a big dinner for when you get home. It’s the least I can do.” I wanted to earn my keep.