Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 71246 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 356(@200wpm)___ 285(@250wpm)___ 237(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71246 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 356(@200wpm)___ 285(@250wpm)___ 237(@300wpm)
I nod cautiously, not wanting to feel those feelings again or grant him too much space.
“I would just like to be there for you. In case you need me in the night. So, I can feel like your protector. If you want me to.”
That last bit was exactly what I needed. It has to be my choice.
“Okay. But no touching.”
“Deal.”
I place my empty water glass in the sink and then make my way to the bedroom. Lex follows at a safe distance behind, and I am grateful he is not too close. I am still too raw.
After I am under the covers on the side closest to the window, he gets in, and we settle into a comfortable silence. I’m still shaken overhearing his call with Luke, but that thought only conjures up doubts and visions of blood, so I skirt that thinking. I need something more comfortable to think about, or I will never be able to sleep, and I have classes tomorrow.
Softly, I ask, “Lex?”
“Mmm?” His tone is an equally soft whisper.
“Did you have a name for your fort?”
I listen as he quietly tells me how they ran through the alphabet before they settled on “Fortress Major” for the name.
I fall asleep, smiling, listening to him drone on about his beautiful childhood.
11
Lex
“Hey there, good morning.” Jude’s eyes lock with mine shyly, I’m speaking as softly as I did last night when I was helping her find sleep.
She sits up and puts her feet on the floor, stretching with her back to me.
Some women are all about morning connections. I have no idea what is good for Jude. What she likes or dislikes. She doesn’t give an inch.
I sit up with her and stretch my back in a slight arch, arms overhead, wondering if she wants coffee in bed or if she prefers to be left alone. I can already feel her distance, no matter how close I think we might have gotten last night, or how I slept next to her, even if I couldn’t touch her.
I wonder if she will ever let down her guard with me fully. God, she is a beautiful woman.
“Can I get you some coffee?”
She looks at me and shakes her head.
“Tea?”
She half smiles, and I do not know if that is a yes, but I will take it.
“Tea, it is.”
I amble my way down the hall and make a pit stop in the bathroom. I look in the mirror, and all I see are bags under my eyes. I didn’t sleep so well last night, although I loved being next to her. I splash water on my face and note that it is almost time for a haircut. I want to stay in here and take my shower, but it isn’t time yet. I need to give her room to take care of whatever she needs. Maybe she needs to go to the bathroom too.
Exiting the bathroom, I make my way down the hall, put the coffee on for me, and set a tea kettle with some water over a flame.
I like my kitchen. Somebody upgraded it before I bought the house. It’s the best part of the house as a matter of fact. No fancy dishes, no woman’s touch yet just clean, unbroken tile for a backsplash and a dark slate counter. My stainless silver fridge is covered in drawings from my nieces, and inside, it houses little more than my creamer.
I reach inside and pull out the creamer, adding it to my coffee, and then I hear the shower running. I know she’s got to get to school, but I don’t know what time. I’m sure she’ll let me know.
I pull out my two boxes of tea. Earl Grey and orange something that somebody brought and left here a ways back. I don’t know if either of these will work for her, but they are all I’ve got. I make a mental note to pick up some more tea if that’s what she likes.
I only have two mugs. The one for my coffee, with the Marine Corps emblem and Semper Fidelis, and the other, a UT at Austin mug, that I got autographed by Vince Young in 2005, the year he led them to the national championship.
Boy, he went to hell in a handbasket, didn’t he? Like me, he probably never figured himself out after he left college, but someday, I will figure out what I am supposed to do with my life. Right now, it just felt good to be around Jude and to make sure she is safe.
The shower goes off, and I grab my cup of coffee and walk to the door, so there will be more light in here. A kitten that had taken to camping on my porch is back. A little gray furball, too young for living on her own, but not comfortable coming close enough for me to get to her.