Chapter 7
Grace
I gawk at the giantof a man standing in the doorway. I’d wondered if he’d gotten help to carry me out of the building. I’m no tiny girl. What I lack in height, I make up for in tits, hips, and ass—my bitchy sister used to remind me of that all the time. She wasn’t wrong. Seeing Rowan now, I can tell he had no problem hauling me out of there on his own.
He’s built like a god, as I’d imagined. And holy crap, is he gorgeous. I thought his hair was black from the glimpse I got, but it turns out to be a dark blonde. The stubble lining his jaw makes his classically handsome features look sexily rugged. And his very presence oozes alpha male. I think I feel my ovaries shimmying.
Mentally slapping my forehead and picking my jaw up from the floor, I find my wits and my tongue. “Hi, Rowan.” I’m a little breathless because I’m stunned by his visit. I thought I’d never get to put a face to my hero. “Come in, please.”
He steps inside and closes the door.
“Have a seat.”
My eyes are glued to him as he walks over. He’s graceful for such a tall man. I can’t believe the super-hot firefighter who saved me is here, and I look like a bedraggled cat with my tangled hair. The hospital gown I’m wearing does me no favors, either.
Self-consciously, I brush my hair back as Rowan takes a seat in the chair Ashley had pulled closer earlier. At this proximity, his lake blue eyes are turning my insides to mush. His stare is so intense.
I’m reminded that not too long ago, I had another one of those erotic dreams I keep having about him. He’s always hidden in the shadows in my heated visions, but knowing what he looks like now... Jesus. My sex dreams are only going to get more colourful.
“You’re actually here.” My nervous giggle makes me cringe on the inside. I must sound like an idiot.
“It’s good to see you, Grace,” he says. “I’m glad you’re okay.” He takes in the tubes inserted into my arms. “You are okay, right?”
“I’m doing much better. Luckily, I have no complications from the smoke inhalation, but I’m still under observation.”
“That’s good to hear.”
Rowan hasn’t cracked a smile since he walked in and I wonder if he’s always so serious. Studying him closely, I extend a hand. “It’s really nice to meet you, Rowan. Face to face, that is.”
He stares at my outstretched hand for a moment before taking it into his bigger one. The contact has me hot and bothered, but I can’t tell if he’s affected. Even when his eyes lift from our connected hands to collide with mine, I get nothing. He’s really guarded.
“I didn’t get to thank you for saving my life since I was unconscious and all. So, thank you. I don’t feel like those words are enough.” I gulp because he’s just looking at me. Why can’t I ever just be cool? I hate that I babble when I’m nervous.
“That’s not why I’m here,” Rowan says. “Seeing you alive is thanks enough.”
“That’s sweet.”
He still doesn’t smile, just quirks one eyebrow and pulls his hand away from mine. He sure is a solemn man. Awkwardly dropping my hand into my lap and trying to figure out why heat just shot up my arm and through my entire body by his touch, I gaze at him. He stares right back, unwavering in his assessment, and I feel like I’m about to burst into flames.
“So, how’s your puppy... Dog?” It’s the only thing I can think to say right now to break the silence. It wasn’t an awkward silence, it was just really intense, and I couldn’t stand it.
Rowan’s lips twitch and then curl into a smile, which develops into a deep chuckle. My lips part on a quiet gasp. He looks younger, relaxed, less guarded. He’s like a different man when he laughs.
“She’s fine. Still peeing on everything. I really should stop calling her Dog,” he says.
Smiling, I nod. “If you’ve decided to keep her, a real name would be nice.”
As he laughs, I admire him. A gorgeous face for that incredible voice. I’m more infatuated with the firefighter than ever, but I know it won’t lead anywhere. He’s most likely taken—I mean, look at him. And I have to focus on rebuilding my life.
“Thanks for coming, Rowan. It means a lot to me.” Two visitors in one day. It’s two more than I expected.
That reticent air comes over him again and he lifts one shoulder. “I always check up on rescues. The more serious cases. You didn’t look so good, last I saw you.”
Of course, he checks up on others. My heart sinks a little. I don’t know why I felt the least bit special. “That’s nice of you.”
My eyes move over his face. Though I’m disappointed, the little detail tells me a lot about Rowan. It means he isn’t as aloof as he seems. I’m confused because he didn’t sound indifferent when he was rescuing me.
He clears his throat. “What are the doctors saying? Will you be out of here soon?” He pauses. “If you don’t mind me asking.”
Is he kidding? The man risked his life to save mine. Sharing a few medical details isn’t a big deal. “Of course not. I’ll be out soon, unfortunately.” His frown makes me smile. “Only because I’m pretty much screwed when I leave here.”
“How so?”
“Well, I’m already worried about the medical bill I’m going to get. I wouldn’t be so concerned if I had a job, but I lost it two months ago.” I’d blown through the meager savings from my part-time job while I unsuccessfully searched for another. “I already might have to drop out of school, and now this...” My mouth clamps shut, and heat infuses my face. “I’m sorry. That’s not your concern.”
“It’s fine. Is that why you mentioned hating your life? Because you lost your job and everything else?”
My eyes fly back to his. “You remember that?”
“I remember our entire conversation.”
I stare at Rowan, wanting to throw the white sheet over my head and hide. That means he remembers my other confessions.
“Everything?” I croak.