Page 9 of Sofa King Safe

“Why, Rhodes?Why would you want to be anywhere near this mess?”

“I don’t want to scare you, Quinn.I’ve barely gotten you to agree to stay.”

“Tell me,” I whisper, needing to know.

“You feel like you’re mine.”He’s so close it’s like I’m surrounded by him.“And you feel that too, don’t you?”

“I do,” I agree and then huff a laugh.“Saying that out loud sounds ridiculous.”

“I’d say after having all your tires slashed, we’re a little past that.”He touches my chin, and then I feel his thumb graze over my chin.“Now let’s get you two settled in.”

With that, he takes a step back, and I’m already missing his warmth.

ChapterSix

RHODES

When we walk outside the next morning, I see the way Quinn looks back at her van.I can’t imagine what’s going through her head, and I don’t want to push her to talk about things she isn’t ready to discuss.

Last night, I helped set up Boss’s litter box in the laundry room and then showed Quinn where she’d be sleeping.While I made us dinner, she unpacked, and it wasn’t until we were eating that she realized she was going to be sleeping in my room.She tried to protest, but I explained to her she’d have a private bathroom in there and I usually fell asleep on the couch most nights anyway.Eventually, I had to promise her I’d order a bed for one of the spare rooms since I hadn’t gotten around to it yet.

After that, I was able to distract her by showing her how to set the alarm.I also gave her access to the safe where I kept my hunting rifles.They are only accessible by fingerprint, but I went through the process of adding her to that as well.When she tried to object, I explained that her having the knowledge, even if she didn’t have to use any of it, would give her a sense of personal security.I could tell as we went through everything step by step that she became more confident.

It was late by the time I finished showing her everything I could think of, and I could tell she was exhausted.I wasn’t about to push for information on the guy she used to be with, but today, I’m going to need the full story.

“Ready for work?”I ask, trying to distract her from the van.

“As I’ll ever be.”She tries to give me a smile, but it doesn’t reach her eyes.

Once I help her and Boss in the truck, I get in and place a hand on her thigh.“It’s going to be okay.”

“I know.”Her shoulders sag a little.“I don’t think I realized how safe I felt inside your home.Now that I’m out in the real world, the fear is coming back.”

“I’m not going to let anything happen to you, sweetness.If you can trust anything, you can trust that.”This time when she smiles, it’s genuine.“Have you ever taken any self-defense classes?”

“My mom took me to a karate class once, but I’m pretty sure it’s because she was trying to sleep with the teacher.”She looks down at where my hand’s at on her thigh.“Do they have stuff like that around here?”

“I’m surprised the Stitches haven’t asked you to join their class.”I glance at Quinn, and her head snaps up.

“Are you serious?”She’s giggling as she shakes her head.“Okay, why does that sound adorable?”

“It’s not so cute when Mrs.Betty gets you in a choke hold.”I rub the back of my neck while remembering the one and only time I volunteered to be their attacker.

“I’d pay good money to see that.”

“You play your cards right and I’ll make it happen.”When I wink at her, I notice the blush on her cheeks.It’s so damn pretty, I have to force myself to concentrate on the road.

A few moments later, I’m pulling up outside her shop and helping her out of the truck with Boss.I make sure she gets inside okay, and I take a look around to make sure everything is as it should be.

“The new lock I ordered you should be in tonight, so I’ll swing by and install it when I pick you up.”

“Sounds good.”She bites her bottom lip, and I can tell there’s something more she wants to say.

“What is it, sweetness?”That pretty blush is back, and I step closer to her so I can brush my thumb across it.

“Thank you.”She licks her lips, and her soft brown eyes meet mine.“That’s all.Just thank you for being so wonderful.For being a good guy and taking care of me.You have no idea what it means to be treated this way.”

“You deserve it.”My thumb moves back and forth along her soft cheeks, and I ache to press my lips to it.“And when you’re ready, you’re going to tell me what you’re running from.”

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