Page 65 of I Knead You Tonight

“Geeze, you’re turning into a big softy lately.”

I ignore the barb. “Why didn’t you break your lease?”

“Because this is only temporary, Winston. I’m not living here forever, just until I can pay off my car repairs and get my shit back together. This isn’t real. That apartment is. I need to keep paying on it so I don’t lose it.”

“You already did.”

Her face twists into an expression of anger.

“What the fuck did you do, Winston?” Her tone is low, almost scary. You know, minus her being well over six inches shorter than me and all.

“I took care of it for you.”

“Please tell me you’re joking.”

“I’m not. He didn’t charge that much, just half a month’s worth of rent when I threatened to report his ass for all the mold I saw in my short time there. So you’re square.”

“I amnotsquare!” She slams her hand down on the counter then points angrily at me. “You had no right to do that!”

“I did it because you’re too fucking chicken to do it. Why can’t you just accept that I’m trying to help you?”

“Why can’t you just stop? I didn’t ask for your help!”

“Well too fucking bad, because you got it.”

Her stare is so hot, so full of fire.

But I’m not scared.

“By the way, your car is ready. And paid for.”

I walk out of the kitchen, ignoring her screams.

I know she hates me just a little bit more now, but it was worth the risk.

Slice Eleven

Drew

Something’s changed since we kissed and I moved in.

It’s not just the fact that I can’t stop thinking about the way Winston’s lips felt on mine and that I’m now hornier than ever lying next to him in bed every night.

Or that I’m now completely stuck with him since he broke off my lease.

Or that I’m now indebted to him since he paid off my car repairs.

It’s something else.

Something…more. Bigger.

My feelings toward him have turned from hate to…something else.

I don’t necessarily like him, because he can’t stop trying to rescue me.

But I don’thatehim, and there’s a good chance I might even be beginning to understand him. He’s not as mean and vile as he pretends to be. He actually gives a shit about people.

He’s just scared.

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