Page 64 of Delicate Escape

“Understandably. And it doesn’t help when it feels like the people around you are watching you like a hawk, trying to see if you’re going to break.”

“No. It doesn’t,” I admitted.

Thea was quiet for a moment, her hand still on my chest, eyes searching mine. Then she finally spoke two words that shocked the hell out of me. “Stay here.”

25

THEA

What the hellwas I doing? Apparently, I had no control over my vocal cords because they just spat out words likestay here. That was a horrible, no good, very bad idea.

I’d be on edge the whole time. Or worse, I’d throw myself at Shep.

Because watching him walk around in those white tees that hinted at the planes of muscle I’d stalked through my window as he worked in my yard would be more than I could take. And what if he wore them with gray sweatpants around the house? Good God, I’d be powerless.

Shep stared down at me, those amber eyes searching. “Thorn. You only let me in your house for the first time a few days ago. Not sure you’re ready for that.”

God, he was such a good guy. Which was why I took a deep breath and said, “I’m sure.”

He kept watching me for a moment.

“Really,” I pressed. “It’ll be nice to be able to pay you back for a fraction of what you’ve been doing for me.”

That was apparently the wrong thing to say because Shep scowled. “You don’towe meanything.”

I pinned him with a stare of my own. “I know you’re charging me about one-tenth what you should be.”

I’d gone to the hardware store on my break from Bloom the other day and perused the aisles. The prices were a heck of a lot higher than what Shep had said. Way more than a discount could make up for.

His gaze shifted to the side, and I knew I was right.

“Let me do this for you. I’ve got a guest room with your name on it. We’ll have to share the bathroom, and I know it’s not as fancy as you’re used to, but?—”

Shep’s eyes shot back to me, cutting off my words. “If you think there’s anywhere I’d rather be than here, you’re dead wrong.”

My breath hitched at the fire in his eyes, a mixture of annoyance and something else that had warmth stirring low. Shep had parts of me I hadn’t been sure still existed coming back to life. Parts I only remembered when I was reading an especially good romance—one that reminded me there were still happily ever afters out there, even if they were just in the pages of a book.

“Is that a yes?”

He grinned. “It’s a hell yes.”

A laugh bubbled out of me. “Okay, then.”

My hand started to slip from his chest, but Shep caught it, pressing it against his pec. “Thea, I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable. So, you set the rules. I’ll follow them. Whatever you need.”

Such a good guy. Too good for me to reach for, but I was doing it anyway.

“You don’t make me feel uncomfortable. You make me want…more.”

Those amber eyes flashed gold. “More.”

I nodded.

“I like more.” Shep’s fingers curled around mine. “Thank you, Thea.”

“You’re welcome.”

He squeezed my hand. “Now, how about I take you to dinner?”

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