“Honestly, I didn’t know anyone lived here. I was seeking shelter. I promise I’ll leave. I’m going to call my—”
I can’t let her finish and say his name, so I interrupt. “You’re not leaving yet. It’s storming out there. Besides, you’re soaking wet.” Taking her hand, I drag her toward my bedroom, but then she nearly stumbles, and I remember her injured knee. Swiftly, I scoop her up in my arms.
“Oh my goodness. You don’t have to carry me.”
“You’re hurt, sweetheart.” I set her on the vanity and pull out the first aid kit from the drawer under her legs. “How did that happen?” I ask as I wipe her scrape with an alcohol swab. She pauses to answer because I’m sure it stings. “I’m sorry. The antibiotic cream won’t hurt.”
She smiles at me, and that does something to my insides. Little miss has me so wrapped around her finger and she doesn’t even know it. “I’m Cassandra, by the way.” Cassandra. Perfect.
“I’m Jamison Cain. Tell me what happened to your beautiful leg?”
“On my way to the beach I was knocked down by a bike messenger and then mugged by another man.”
“What?” I’m shaking with anger, squeezing the tube a little hard. “Son of a bitch. I’m sorry.” I jump up and grab a washcloth to try to clean up the mess that landed on the floor.
“It’s okay.”
“No, it’s not,” I growl. The thought of someone hurting her, making her feel violated and vulnerable, sends violent thoughts through my head. I grab a fluffy towel.
“Can I take a fast shower? I know I shouldn’t during a storm, but I haven’t showered since this morning. Damn it, I don’t have my suitcase either.”
“Where’s that?”
“Lost, according to the airport.”
I press a Band-Aid to her scrape, followed by my lips. “My mother always said a kiss makes it better.” She turns pretty pink again and I choke on my need, swallowing it before I give in and taste her lips. Clearing my throat, I add, “I’ll get you something to wear and leave it on the bed while I get dressed.”
“I can’t believe how wonderful you’re being to me after I broke into your home. You’ve made my terrible day so much better.”
Her genuine happiness and vulnerability hit me hard. “Okay. Jump in the shower and I’ll get everything set up out here, and don’t worry. There’s a spare bedroom.” She blushes so prettily that I regret mentioning it because she belongs in my bed for the rest of my days. This sudden fascination tripled the second I held her in my arms and has only amplified with every change in her expression. Her face is extremely expressive and beautiful.
“Thank you.”
I help her down and then leave her to shower, needing another one for me turned all the way to arctic cold.
Quickly, I slip on some shorts and a tee before grabbing her a pair of my boxers and my favorite tee, which I’m sure are going to float on her, but the vision of her in my clothes is tightening my shorts to the point of pain. I adjust my cock that doesn’t want to walk away from the beauty in my shower. I force myself to go in the living room and grab the food she brought in. I set it up on the coffee table because I want the excuse to keep things intimate on the sofa.
Gathering silverware, I come back and set it down. My bedroom door opens, and I brace myself for her appearance. “Jamison, can I say that I love that shower?” Fuck me. My dick jerks hard.
I turn around, and I’m nearly floored. She looks like a dream, a wicked fantasy, in my clothes. “I’m glad you enjoyed yourself, Cassandra. Take a seat, dig in before it gets cold, and I’ll get us something to drink. I have wine, soda, or water.”
“A water would be great.” I gingerly walk into the kitchen, trying to get my cock to relax, but I don’t think he’ll go down until he gets some relief between her legs.
When I come back, I do my best to avoid looking at her and set the water down.
“Thank you,” she says after chewing her food. Damn, Cassandra’s cute while she’s eating as well. We eat in silence for a few minutes, although, I can’t say I tasted anything. My focus has been on her lips, feeling irrationally jealous of the food she’s consuming.
“Do you normally have so much food delivered?” she asks after swallowing another bite of her cheeseburger.
“No, but I hoped you’d come knocking on my door,” I confess. I hadn’t meant to be so honest, but I don’t think I can lie to her.
“What?” She sets down her food and looks at me with an air of suspicion.
“I have security cameras that are activated when someone crosses the private property line. I saw you taking a nap under my favorite tree and decided to make sure I had dinner for two.”