But...Max.
Stupid Max. He ruined everything. But maybe he didn’t have to ruin this?
Yeah, and how was she going to have something with Kent with all the other shit in her life? It wasn’t fair to drag him into that. Even though she longed to tell him it all. She still felt sick from her encounter with Max then the man in the parking lot.
“I just...I’ve got a really bad headache right now and it’s making it hard for me to take this all in.”
“Oh, baby. I’m so sorry. Why didn’t you say?” He reached around to rub her neck and immediately the tension in her head eased. Even as tension grew in other areas. Oh hell, she had to get rid of him before she did something crazy and invite him inside.
“Could you give me some time? I just need some time to myself to think this through.”
He stared into her eyes. It was intense
. And she got the feeling he could see through her layers to the truth below.
Crap, she hoped not.
“You’re sure there’s nothing else going on? Macca said you were acting strange before.”
“I’m fine. I just...you know...bras everywhere,” she said lamely.
“Abby,” he said warningly.
“I’m just really tired,” she told him truthfully.
“You still have my card?”
“Yes.” She winced as she thought of Max hiding out in her house. She thought Kent would probably consider that something she should have called him about.
“Good. This is what I want you to do. Go inside, get into your pajamas. Take some pain killers and a big glass of water than have a nap. When is your bedtime?”
She shrugged. “Oh, anytime I feel like it.”
“Not anymore.” He continued to rub her neck as he spoke and it felt so good. “I’m going to give you some time to think this all through. Do some research. Really think about what you want. Because there is something between us. I want both parts of you. And I think this is worth pursuing. But I’m not going to leave you completely alone. One, because I’m worried you might talk yourself out of this with too much time to think. Two, because I want you to have a small taste of the sort of relationship I’m talking about. I can also give you Charlie or Ellie’s number if you want to speak to them.”
“They’re Littles?” she whispered.
“Yes. But that’s something private, understand?” he said sternly.
“Oh, I would never tell anyone.”
“Good. So, here’s what’s going to happen. You’re going to give me your phone number. I’m going to call you each night at nine. I want you in your PJs, teeth brushed and ready for bed. I’ll tuck you in over the phone and say goodnight.”
“What? Nine? I can’t go to bed at nine. Most of my shows don’t start until eight-thirty or later. Even when I’m not working a late shift, I don’t usually go to bed until at least eleven.”
“Your shows?”
She bit at her thumbnail. “My ah, T.V. shows.”
He appeared slightly amused. “Just how many T.V. shows do you watch?”
Now that was a question she didn’t want to answer. She shrugged.
“Hmm. Well, you’ll just have to record any shows that you can’t miss to watch the next day,” he told her. “Because nine is your new bedtime.”
“And is that your bedtime?”
He ran his thumb across her lower lip. “You’re adorable when you pout. And no, it’s not. But I’m not exhausted from working too much and going to bed too late.”