“The rest is upstairs,” he says. “But we’ll avoid that for now, unless you want to hobble up there. Or I could carry you.”
I grin at him. “Carry me? I don’t think—”
But before I can finish the sentence, he whips me up off my feet. I gasp, surprised, as he lifts me like I weigh nothing.
“Since you’re up…” he trails off, grinning, and carries me upstairs.
“You’re unbelievable,” I say. “Ask next time before you just pick me up.”
“Sorry. Can’t help myself. I was just trying to grab your ass.”
“I felt.”
He grins and leads me down the hall. “This room’s yours. This is another extra room but it’s basically empty right now. Don’t have a use for it. Then here’s my room.” He shows me the master bed with its big, open spaciousness, its huge central bed, and simple furniture.
“Bathroom in the hall and another attached to my room. You’re welcome to use whatever you like.”
“Thanks.”
We pause in the hallway. He stands close to me. I’ll need him to carry me downstairs but I don’t want to ask.
He puts his hands on my hips. “Should I lift you up again?”
“I guess.” I stare in his eyes. “We could just stay here.”
“Yeah? And do what?”
“I bet you can think of something.”
He gives me this look. It’s hungry and dark and it makes me want to explore him even more. His hands get tighter on my body and pull me close against him.
But my phone starts to buzz in my pocket. He cocks his head. “Interesting,” he says. “Didn’t know I could make you do that. I’m good, just didn’t know how good.”
“Shut up, idiot.” I take the phone from my pocket, grinning, but the smile fades. “It’s my dad.”
“Don’t answer.”
I slip it back into my pocket after sending him to voicemail.
He lifts me without another word and we go downstairs. He deposits me on a big, comfortable chair.
He sits across from me. “You know, you’re the first guest I’ve had in here.”
“Really? This is one hell of a bachelor pad. I’d figure you’d have… thousands of girl through here.”
He laughs. “Believe it or not, the clinic takes up all my time. And anyway, I put the playboy lifestyle behind me already.”
“Oh, yeah? You were a big player, huh?”
“Sure, back in the day. It was easy.”
“Easy?” I roll my eyes. “You really are arrogant.”
“You don’t know who I am,” he says softly.
“You’re Brent Lofthouse. You’re the cocky physical therapist that just won’t leave me alone.”
He chuckles and shakes his head. “Here’s the thing. I told you about my family… well, now it’s your turn to believe something.”
I sit there for a second and feel my breath coming in faster. His eyes are serious on my face and I want him to keep going. He opens his mouth to start talking…
But there’s a banging at the front door.
He stops dead and narrows his eyes.
“What’s that?” I ask.
“I don’t know.” He stands up. “My nearest neighbor is a few miles off.”
“Brent.”
“Stay here.” He walks to the door. He hesitates before opening it.
I hear my father’s voice, like an ice cube rolling down my spine.
“Where the fuck is my daughter?”
“Mr. Gibbins,” Brent says. “You’re not welcome here.”
“Shut the fuck up with the Mr. Gibbins shit, you fucker. Where’s my daughter?”
“Dad.” I stand up and hobble over.
“There you are.” Dad pushes past Brent.
But I can see that was a mistake. Brent grabs him by the shoulder and slams him against the wall. Dad groans and his eyes go wide as Brent gets in his face.
“Did I invite you into my house, you motherfucker?”
“I’m here for my daughter.”
“I know why you’re here.” I get in his face and sneer. “You want to kick her down some steps again?”
The room goes still. My father’s breathing stills and his eyes widen as he stares back at Brent. I let out a groan of pure fear, not sure what else to do. I feel like I can’t move, like my feet are made of anvils.
“She tell you that, huh?” Dad says finally.
“She did.”
“Well, you listen to me.” Dad stands up straight. “I don’t care what she said. That girl’s a fucking liar. And you can’t keep her here.”
“I’m not keeping her anywhere,” Brent says. “That’s your problem. You think she’s just a little toy to be kept places. But she’s here by her own design.”
Dad’s eyes move to mine. I take a step back.
“Come home,” he says.
“No.” The word comes out and it surprises me just as much as it surprises him.
“No?” He barks a laugh. “The hell you saying? You want to stay here, with this fucking… nobody?”
“He’s helping me,” I say.
“He’s your goddamn doctor. I can’t even imagine all the ethical rules he’s violating right now.” Dad turns to Brent. “I’m going to have your license suspended, you motherfucker. You’re taking advantage of my daughter. You’re her doctor, you should—”