Page 7 of You Are My Every Reason

I don’t want to give up the comfort his sweater has brought me. I know it’s stupid, but it’s kind of like a security blanket to me now.

“You can keep it, and I’ve got plenty more.” He motions toward a door that I’m guessing is the closet. I peek inside the bag to see panties along with some sweats. “I’ll get you more stuff, but she had this on hand and said it’s new.”

“I can’t take her stuff.”

“Babe, it’s fine. Don’t stress about the money. It’s a non-issue.” He waves his hand around. I can see that they are wealthy, maybe more so than my father.

“It’s not only the money.”

“No expectations. I get that shit. My father would use money to try to control me. I won’t do that to you.”

“You don’t like him. Your father?”

“He’s dead, and the world is a better place for that.” Oh wow, we might have more in common than I thought.

“My father isn’t a good man.”

“That so?” I nod. “Noted.”

How can one simple word sound so deadly?

ChapterSix

RICH

Still no name, but at least I got an idea of who she might be running from. It helped temper some of the jealousy I’ve been having. When she fell asleep, I’d let my mind really drift, thinking up a million ideas for the reason she was on the run.

A lover being after her was high on my list. Her father should have been my first guess with how young she appears and based on the fact that I have my own daddy issues. Hell, I have parent and family issues all around.

I run my hand down my face, trying not to think about her being naked in my bathroom right now. She said her legs were sore, so she wanted to soak in the tub but wanted to shower first. I’m sure they are sore. Who knows how long she was in the water before I found her? Or how far she swam to get to shore. I’m convinced she came from one of the boats, but I don’t want to push her to tell me. I’m just grateful as fuck that I was standing on that dock. Who knows what would have happened if I wasn’t? I don’t even want to let my thoughts go down that road.

An idea sparks in my mind. I walk over to the double doors that go to my bathroom and knock. “Babe, I’m going to—” I’m cut off when she opens the door. Her hair is wet, and she has a towel wrapped around her. I see the tub filling up behind her.

“What?” She peers up at me.

“I’m going to pop downstairs?—”

“You’re leaving me?” Her eyes widen, an immediate panic setting in.

“No, shit.” This girl can slice me up with only a glance. “I was going to get those snacks I promised you and talk to my sister’s husband, King. It would only be for a few minutes, but I’ll stay.” I watch as she relaxes.

“I’m sorry, I just?—”

“Hey.” I itch to reach out and grab her, but I don’t want to see her flinch. That shit kills me. “No, sorry. I can stay. I’ll text my sister instead to drop the snacks off and talk to King later.”

“No, really; it’s fine. Just got worried for a second.”

“Not leaving the house. I promise.”

“Thank you.”

“Anytime, dollface. Enjoy your bath. I’ll be right back,” I tell her. I need to get away from her. Seeing her being wet in only a damn towel is testing every ounce of self-control I have. Thoughts that I shouldn’t be having keep racing through my mind. Such as one tug and she’d be bare for me. Fuck. My lust isn’t anything she needs right now.

“Rich.” she reaches out and grabs my arm, halting me. “It’s Fallon.” She might as well have reached out and grabbed my heart and not my arm. My girl is giving me more, and I’ll greedily eat it up until I’ve got all of her.

“Fallon,” I repeat. Leaning down, I kiss the top of her head. She lets out a little happy sigh. I don’t move an inch, not until she does. I’ll stand here forever if that’s what it takes for her to trust me.

“I’ll see you in a little.” Fallon steps back.

---