Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 27808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 139(@200wpm)___ 111(@250wpm)___ 93(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 139(@200wpm)___ 111(@250wpm)___ 93(@300wpm)
I get to work right away, pulling off the old door and installing the new one. I work quickly and as quietly as possible. The new door is a steel one and heavy as fuck, but I manage to get it into place, using the existing hinges as guides. Bell doesn’t appear, not even a curious peek around the corner.
That feels odd to me, so after I finish screwing in the deadbolt, I go hunting for her. The house is a basic one, much like my sister’s, with a living room at the front, a kitchen behind it, a small eat-in space, and a bathroom. The stairs leading to the second floor are narrow and dark. I make a note to install another hall light for her.
“I’m coming up, Bell,” I holler as I take the stairs two at a time. There’s no response, but when I reach the landing, I hear the sound of running water. My girl’s taking a shower. I have to pause because a vivid picture of her wet and naked appears in front of me. The hot water would’ve reddened her skin. Her nipples could be erect from her washing her titties. Does she take the shower head and put it between her legs? Does she rub her pussy or pluck at her tits while she presses the wand against her clit?
The images floor me, and I force myself to take several deep breaths so I don’t go barging into the bathroom, throwing her slick body onto the tile and plowing into her so hard and strong that her eyes roll to the back of her head. When I’ve gained an ounce of self-control, I cross to the bathroom and knock my fist against the wooden door. “Bell, it’s Jackson. I installed a new door for you.”
The water stops. I hear a rustling noise and then, “Jackson?” she squeaks. “What are you doing here? I’m n—not ready to see anyone.”
She was going to say naked. I swear to God, she’s trying to kill me. “Which is why you needed a new front door. In the state it was in, anyone could’ve walked in. While you were showering.” I’m trying not to shout at her. I don’t think I’m succeeding.
“You are the reason the door is busted, remember?” She has no qualms about yelling at me.
“It doesn’t matter who is at fault for the door. It was broken. You shouldn’t be showering while you’re vulnerable like that.”
There’s no immediate response. Finally, her voice comes through, only this time it’s soft and a little trembly. “Did you see something? Or someone out there?”
I gentle my own tone. “No, Dollface. I watched you all night, too, from my sister’s place.”
“Your sister? That was your sister?”
“Yeah. The one with the chickens.”
“Oh, I thought it was your girlfriend.”
“Can we talk without the door between us?”
“No. I only have a towel on.”
My irritation comes speeding back. “You’re only wearing a fucking towel with your door wide open?”
“It was closed, and stop yelling at me!” There’s a quaver in her voice.
I immediately feel regret. “Sorry. Don’t cry.”
“I am not crying,” she yells, but her tone sounds watery.
Fuck me. I drag a hand down my face. It’s because I’m tired. The only way to solve this is get some shut-eye. I wrench open the door, grab her hand, and haul her down to her bedroom. “What are you doing?” she cries and tries to pull away.
“Dollface, I spent the entire night watching your front door and the last hour installing a replacement. I’m tired as shit and need to sleep.” I push her down onto the bed, toe off my boots, and drop to the mattress. I throw an arm over her chest. “Don’t move. I only need a couple hours and I’ll be better.”
One thing you learn in the military besides how to salute is how to fall asleep in an instant. I close my eyes, and it’s lights out.
CHAPTER 6
BELL
What in the jingle bells is happening here? Jackson pulls the blanket over us before he wraps me in a tight hold in his arms. I’m still only in my towel, but he makes no move to try and cop a feel.
The only thing he does is keep me tucked close, burying his face in my neck. Am I supposed to go to sleep? I only got up thirty minutes ago. I am quite tired.
I spent all night tossing and turning. I know my agent reassured me everything was fine, but my sense of safety has slipped away from me. I’d finally given up on trying to sleep and made myself get up and take a shower.
The warmth of Jackson’s body against mine and the safeness I feel in his hold has my body relaxing, my eyes growing heavy. The lack of sleep from last night and all the anxiety that I’ve had bottled up inside of me slips away. For the first time in a long time, I’m safe. I can rest easy knowing no weirdo is going to show up here with Mr. Hulk holding me in a bear hug. Before I know it, sleep pulls me under.