Page 35 of Rook

That said, there was no one else I wanted to imagine as I started to tease myself with my fingers, driving myself effortlessly up.

It wasn’t long before I was needing to press my lips tightly together to quiet the little whimpers and moans that started to escape me.

But when the orgasm coursed through me, I was pretty sure there was, you know, a little sound that escaped. As well as water sloshing over the side of the tub.

“Shit,” I said, coming back down quickly and hitting the drain, then quickly drying off so I could sop up the water all over the floor.

Great start to living with the guy. Practically flooding his bathroom.

My belly twisted, old worries manifesting without warning, as I made sure there wasn’t a drop of water left anywhere, no chance for mold or discovery that the mishap happened at all.

Only then did I brush my hair and teeth, get dressed, and creep out of the bathroom.

Rook was already all set up on the couch, an arm thrown over his face, the TV still on, but the volume lower than before.

I was thankful for the sound. I would never be able to sleep in complete silence. I would be awake with each creak or blow of wind.

I tiptoed past him and into the little nook where the bedroom was located.

Feeling no small amount of guilt, I climbed into the bed, letting out a little sigh as I pulled up the covers and grabbed my stuffed animal.

Unfortunately for me, even with the TV on, I was hyperaware of how much Rook tossed and turned and grumbled as he tried to sleep on the too-hard couch.

I made a deal with myself that, whether he liked it or not, we were going to alternate with the bed.

And on that thought, I fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.

CHAPTER TEN

Rook

“Oh, fuck,” I grumbled as I tried to sit up after a night of tossing and turning on the couch. ‘Tried’ being the operative word.

I fell back as an electrical current shot up my lower back, stealing my breath for a moment, and leaving me lying there taking a few steadying breaths.

“Need a hand?” Tessa called, making me turn my head on the cushion to find her standing in the kitchen, cradling a coffee mug in her hands. She didn’t have to say it; the slightly raised brows were screamingI told you so.

“I’m good,” I said, grabbing the back of the couch to try to pull myself up, but having no luck with that either.

After another colorful string of words, Tessa put down her mug with a quiet click, then moved to the side of the couch. “Don’t be a hero,” she said, offering me two hands.

Not having a real choice in the matter, I reached for her hands, trying to ignore the way the touch sent a sizzle across my skin.

“Slow,” I demanded as Tessa started to pull.

I swear every single bone in my back popped as I folded up.

“You sound like Rice Krispies,” Tessa said, getting a choked laugh out of me that had another white-hot bolt of pain shooting down my lower back, ass, and leg.

Tessa’s hands flexed in mine as I jolted at the pain. “Want me to lower you back down?”

“No, no. Almost up now. I think I pinched a nerve or something,” I said, pulling against her hold until my spine was in a full C, but I was upright. “Thanks, babe.” I released her hands and took a few deep breaths. “Feeling real fucking old right about now.”

“Can I get you an icepack?”

“You could. If I had one,” I said, turning to lean back against the cushions, even though the firm couch underneath me was making the pain keep shooting down my leg. “I’m alright.”

“You’re kind of red. Um… how about some painkillers? I saw some in the bathroom cabinet.”

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