Page 2 of Take Her from You

I intertwined my fingers and crossed the living room to join her. The bunkhouse, a structure made out of shipping containers and stowed under the cover of the huge aircraft hangar, was a blessing compared to where I’d been.

It had a wood-burning stove which crackled with a merry flame, teal-coloured couches, and even a bookcase. There were two dorms with six bunkbeds in each, one of which was all mine, and I’d never felt so relieved to be somewhere as right now.

“It’s perfect,” I breathed. “I can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done.”

My new boss cupped my elbow, giving me a soft look. “It’s nothing. I’m pumped to have you come work for me, but I’m also thankful because at the interview, I was worried for you. But you made it. You’re here.”

I’d told her I needed to get away from our living situation. I’d also asked her to put me on the books under a fake name so I couldn’t be traced. When cleaning clients’ homes, I was Megan, but I was still the real me, Mia Walsh, on my payslip where I couldn’t avoid it.

Daisy watched me for a moment, presumably wanting me to say more.

I used to pride myself on being a good judge of character. When Daisy interviewed me, I instantly liked her. She was an American, like me, settled in the UK, and about the same age. Her Californian tones had me missing my mother so badly it hurt.

But I’d learned that first impressions weren’t all they were cracked up to be.

“I’m more grateful than I can say,” I mumbled.

She exhaled, letting me keep my secrets, then finished the tour, showing me out of the bunkhouse and across the hangar.

Engines roared and tools clanged, sparks flying from where someone in a mask welded metal. Behind what appeared to be an office unit, a fair-haired woman approached a guy, whispering something in his ear with an expression that was decidedly sexual. She backed up, and he followed with a predator’s stalk, and my jaw dropped. I was so out of touch with the adult world that even two people flirting had the power to shock me.

It also drove home another truth. This was no place for a little girl to live. As horribly as I already missed her, Tobi was better off with my friend.

“This is the rec room,” Daisy told me.

We entered a bright and slightly warmer space. There was a shiny coffee machine and basic breakfast facilities. No real cooking would be possible, but that was fine. My stay here would be short-lived—it had to be as I couldn’t be away from my girl for more than a few days. My next priority was getting an apartment or even a small house and bringing Tobi home.

We were exiting the rec room when a deep voice hailed us.

“Daisy, wait up.”

We both turned. Shower God crossed the space, hands up to dodge a group of men and women in jumpsuits, some of whom hailed him with smiles.

He’d dressed, which was a shame but probably sensible, as out here, a frosty blast swept through the hangar from the wide-open frontage, and he’d tied that gorgeous black hair up in a man bun with a leather strip.

Fresh lust descended over me.

What the heck was up with my nervous system? It had gone haywire.

His gaze danced my way, something teasing in his expression. “Hey, I’m Valentine. Ye must be my new roommate.”

“This is Mia,” Daisy introduced. “I’m sorry we were early. I hope you didn’t get a shock when I showed her around.”

His curious gaze slid to me.

I jumped in fast. “I briefly opened the door on you in the bathroom. You had your back to me. I apologise.”

Valentine exhaled, his amusement returning fast. “Right. The lock’s broken. I’ll fix it this afternoon.”

His eyes twinkled. Warmth swarmed in me.

Daisy asked him something, but my brain blipped out. Being so close to such a fine specimen of man was doing something to my head.

I’d never seen a dick as big as his.

My mental image retained all the details—a throbbing vein, a thick base that disappeared into dark hair, his firm grip with his big hand, the way he’d stared at me…

The guy was my new roommate, and we’d already crossed a boundary we really shouldn’t have. Maybe I didn’t care.

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