Page 29 of Lily

He’d spoken to her as if they were now a couple, and he intended to be with her, but she knew in her head that wasn’t realistic. He would need to go back to work. She would also need to get a job. She was going to exasperate him with her neediness.

Roselia had known even at twenty-one that she’d been unworldly. She’d spent so much time with no one but her mother that she hadn’t had many of the experiences girls her age had. She hadn’t dated or gone out with friends in high school. She’d studied hard and taken care of the apartment so that her mother wouldn’t have to when she got home from a long day cleaning someone else’s house.

Now? Now, Roselia had experienced things no one should ever experience. A wild assortment of exposures that confused her and made her see the world through a new lens.

She was scared. Damaged. Too much trouble for Stefano.

For now, she had no alternative but to rely on him for help and be grateful he was willing to do this for her. Had he really just left town with no intention of ever returning to his job? That was mind-boggling.

A knock on the window made her jump. Heart racing, she glanced up to see Stefano, and she scrambled to reach for the lock button.

He climbed in as she crawled out from under the glove compartment.

He held up a set of keys. “We’re set.”

She grabbed his hand. “I can’t thank you enough,” she repeated.

He cupped the back of her head and kissed her forehead. “You don’t have to, sweetheart.” When he released her, he put the SUV in reverse and backed out of the small lot. Five minutes later, he pulled up to a cabin.

If she’d been in her right mind, she was sure she would have been excited. The cabin was quaint and inviting, but Roselia was in such a panic she couldn’t appreciate it.

“Let’s get you inside. The owner said there’s a wood-burning fireplace. I’ll get it going. We’ll pile you under blankets and get you warmed up. You haven’t stopped shivering since I pulled you out of bed.”

“I’ve been shivering for months,” she murmured.

Stefano jumped down from his side and rounded the vehicle to help her out. He took her hand and led her to the cabin. As soon as he had it unlocked and open, he bent to examine the lock. “It’s not ideal, but not the worst,” he muttered.

She followed him inside. It was chilly.

Stefano hurried over to the thermostat, and seconds later, the heat kicked on. “It will take a bit to warm up in here.” He pointed toward the sofa. “Sit. I’ll grab our things.”

She stood rooted to her spot, taking in her surroundings. It was truly the cutest place she’d ever seen, obviously meant for a comfortable, romantic getaway. The walls were dark wood, meant to look rustic. The furniture was all browns and dark greens. The living room and kitchen were all one space.

There were two doors on the right. They were both open, and she could see one was a bedroom and the other a bathroom. She was secretly relieved to see only one bedroom. The thought of Stefano suggesting she sleep alone in her own room made her stomach tighten. She would be too scared to do that.

“Rose?”

She jerked her gaze to his as it occurred to her that he’d told her to sit. “I’m sorry.” She hurried toward the sofa.

Stefano beat her there and stepped in front of her, preventing her from sitting. He lifted her chin.

She was scared out of her mind.

“Sweetheart, I was only worried about you. I didn’t mean to imply you had to sit. You never have to do anything you don’t want to do, and certainly, you don’t have to obey me.”

She swallowed. That had been exactly what she’d been thinking. He’d given her an order, and she hadn’t complied. She leaned her head against his chest.

He rubbed her arms. “It’s okay. We’re going to figure it out together. Sit if you want. Stand if you want. Scream if you want. I will not judge you.”

She drew in a breath. “Not gonna lie. The idea of screaming sounds appealing.”

He smiled. “Maybe go do it into a pillow. I’m not positive how close we are to the next cabin, and we don’t want anyone to call the police.”

“Good point.” She glanced at the couch. “I’ll just sit.” She hadn’t sat on a piece of furniture for eight months. It was going to feel strange. She perched on the edge, telling herself it was because her backside was on fire in some places. If she sat carefully and didn’t move too much, she would only irritate two of the welts.

She felt odd sitting, as if she was breaking the rules.

Stefano worked quickly to get a fire going in front of her before he ran back outside and made a few trips getting their things into the cabin. He took most of it to the bedroom.

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