Page 25 of Love Over Easy

I suppose I’ll find it helpful when my kids try to pull the same thing. Stunned, I blink. Where had that thought come from?

Shy walks into the room, fresh from her bath with her hair piled on top of her head with curls hanging around her face. Her skin is flushed pink—the same afterglow as when she came on my leg—and I can smell the lavender and vanilla bath salts she used. I’ve never been more thankful for being slow about cleaning out my sister’s things as I am now.

My cock twitches. She has on a pair of sleep shorts and a white tank top. Much the same outfit as what my sister wears to sleep in, but on Shy, it looks completely different.

“What are you watching?” she asks as she sits on the opposite end of the couch and curls her legs beneath her.

“Nothing really. I was just flipping channels until something caught my attention.”

“I don’t usually have time to watch television. I do watch movies sometimes.”

I want to ask her why she’s so busy, but I don’t. She’ll tell me when she wants me to know. I hand her the remote. “Here, find whatever you want to watch.”

She takes it in her hand, but doesn’t attempt to use it. Instead, she bites her lip and stares. It’s obvious she’s debating something.

“Shy?” I prompt, hoping she’s going to let go of some of her secrets. “Whatever you want to say.”

She surprises me when she asks, “Do you think it’s a bad idea for me to open the diner?”

I see doubt in her eyes.

“Why don’t you think it’s a good idea? Your cooking is top notch. And trust me, you have absolutely no competition in town.”

A small smile plays on her lips. “I’ve heard about the café. Or rather I’ve been warned about the café.”

“Then you know folks around here don’t expect much. Your diner is going to be a welcome addition to Faire Island.”

“I’ve never done anything like this. The most experience I’ve had is cooking for my family and occasionally working in a hotel kitchen. I’ve never even had formal training. Am I crazy to even consider doing this?”

“I don’t know where you come from, but I’ve seen on your body the results of whatever nightmare you’ve lived through. Isn’t it time to do something that makes you happy?”

She pulls back at my mention of the bruises. “There’s a chance I may have to leave.”

Even the thought saddens me. Shy hasn’t been here very long and, somehow, she’s wormed her way into my life. “You mean if you’re found by whoever is looking for you?”

She nods and sucks on her bottom lip. “Yeah. That could happen and I’d have to leave.”

Can I let her leave and go back to take more abuse to her still healing body? No. I can’t. “Do you want to leave? Nobody can make you do something you don’t want to do.”

Her gaze drifts away. “It’s complicated. I really like it here. Other than a lot of men asking me out on dates, the people here are really nice. I could see myself living here. But it may not be up to me. I know you don’t understand, but if I have to leave, just know I wish I could stay.”

“Well, that’s about as cryptic as can be.” I scoot over closer and take her face in the palms of my hands. “If you want to stay, I’ll do everything in my power to make that happen. I won’t ever let anyone else hurt you.”

She wants to believe me, but the sadness I see in her eyes tells me she doesn’t. Why does she think it’s impossible? I brush her lips with mine in a silent promise to protect her. I feel as if she’s mine to defend.

Her arms go around my neck and her fingers splay through the hair on the back of my head. I pull back; our lips fall apart. There’s too many secrets to take this where I want it to go.

“Let’s look for a movie.” I see the question in her eyes and I can’t answer her.

We settle on Raiders of the Lost Ark. It doesn’t take long before one kiss turns into two. Two turns into three and then we stretch out on the couch to get comfortable and soon she’s on top. By the time the credits roll, we’ve been making out on the couch like teenagers.

“The movie’s over,” I say between kisses. If we don’t stop soon, I won’t be able to.

She rests her forehead against mine. “I guess we should call it a night,” she replies before taking my lips in a final kiss.

I switch off the television and take her hand, turning the lights off as we go. At the top of the stairs, I walk her to her bedroom door with the intentions of kissing her goodnight and watching her close the door with her on the inside and me in the hall.

I’m surprised when she doesn’t release my hand. My dick jumps, wanting to follow her, but I’m smarter than he is. She looks up and my heart flutters when she smiles and tugs on my hand.

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