Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 27475 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 137(@200wpm)___ 110(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27475 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 137(@200wpm)___ 110(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
“I-I’m sorry. I should have knocked. I wasn’t thinking,” I blurt out.
I know I should avert my eyes, but I just can’t. The thin towel straining to cover him moves, and I find myself staring at the tent his manhood has created. Oh god, he’s getting an erection, and I don’t know what to do. I look up at his face and find him smiling at me. I’m sure he thinks I’m some kind of a pervert, and now my face is on fire.
“It’s alright. No damage done, right? Mom isn’t here right now. She just ran to the market. Should be right back soon.”
“Okay. Should I wait for her or should I go?” I must sound like an idiot.
“Why would you go? Don’t be silly. Have a seat and wait for her. I’ll go put some clothes on…unless you’d rather I stay like this.”
“Oh! Yeah, sorry. You must be chilly dressed…not dressed…like that I mean.”
“No, baby girl. Cold makes me shrink, not grow.” He winks at me, then strolls past me.
Without thinking, I spin around to watch him from behind. His broad muscular back and toned butt are exactly what I expect to see. What does a man have to do to grow muscles like that? I know one thing—the boys from the football team spent a lot of time in the gym when I was in school and none of them ever came out looking like Torin.
I sit down on the sofa and try to calm myself, but I’m a bundle of nervous energy. He’s going to come back out here, and I can’t be freaked out like this when he does.
“Just act normal. You’re a grown woman,” I whisper like a mantra as I fan my face and neck with my hand.
Torin returns wearing a pair of khaki cargo shorts and a forest green t-shirt. His dark hair is combed back, showing his big, brown eyes. He sits down in the chair across from the sofa and leans forward with his hands clasped together on his knees.
“Did you sleep alright last night?” he asks.
“Yes, fine. Thank you again, by the way. I felt much more at ease when I left here.”
“No problem. I’m glad I could help. If there’s ever anything else I can do for you, just say the word.”
“Like what?”
He reaches over and takes my hand. Bringing it to his lips, he softly kisses it. “Anything, sweetheart. Anything.”
My heart beats so hard I think I may hyperventilate. He holds onto my hand, stroking my fingers, and I try not to squirm in my seat as a new sensation starts to stir in the pit of my stomach and work its way down between my legs.
“I don’t…I mean I’m not sure what you mean.”
Just then, the front door opens and Marta steps inside. Torin rises and takes the brown paper grocery bag from his mother’s arm.
“Thank you, son. Tess, you’re early. I’m sorry if I kept you waiting.” She smiles at me.
“Oh, I think I kept Tess entertained for you, Mother.” Torin looks at me as he kisses his mother’s cheek.
“Just put that down in the kitchen,” she tells Torin and comes to sit with me so I can tell her what I’ve been working on for the school’s holiday program this year.
I do my best to maintain a level of enthusiasm as I tell her what each grade will be doing for their community service and the school pageant, but I can hear Torin in the kitchen and find myself scanning the room to catch a glimpse of him. I’m so distracted I can barely keep up with the conversation.
“Tess, is there something on your mind? You seem to be a million miles away.”
No, just ten feet or so on the other side of the wall.
“I’m fine. Just a little distracted.”
“Is it about last night? Torin told me what happened. I’m so sorry. Are you alright?”
“I’m fine thanks to Torin. He saved me.”
“Well, I’m putting security in that parking lot after hours. I don’t care what the Mayor has to say about the budget. You, on the other hand, need to be out of there before nightfall from now on.”
“I will. I promise.”
“What more do we need for the pageant?”
“I need to pick up the lumber and building supplies so the art department can make the sets. I just can’t do that on my own. I’m going to need help and a truck.”
Marta’s eyes light up and she shouts, “Torin. Come here please.”
Torin enters the room, wiping his hands on a dish towel.
“What can I do for you, lovely ladies?”
“Your father’s truck is in the garage. Can you use it to help Tess make a run to the lumber yard?”
“Absolutely. I’ve already told Tess. Anything she needs will be my pleasure.”
My cheeks get hot all over again, and this time, I’m sure he’s doing this to me intentionally.