Page 42 of Treasured
She jumped up and walked toward the back of the giant room toward the beach view and clutched her stomach again. “We were supposed to be a one-night stand.”
I massaged the back of my head and quietly said, “I never thought that.”
She twisted her neck to stare back at me. “I did.”
I let out a small sigh and followed her to the closed blinds. “Well, I’m glad you changed your mind.”
She squeezed her eyes like her thoughts were hurting her. “I shouldn’t have. If I hadn’t, you’d not be stuck with us.”
My eyes widened. I would never think of her as a burden. “I’m not stuck—“
She let out a small yelp like I argued and she’d not hear me. Then she said, “And maybe what Arthur had done wouldn’t have been so deadly if he’d known I fought my own battles.”
This wasn’t about me. I opened the blinds so she could see the rain if she wanted. “What are you talking about?”
She pressed her forehead onto the window and said, “You answered the door, and you probably frightened him.”
My mind raced to the day before and how I’d stared down at the small guy with the bad attitude. I pressed my back against the nearby wall. “I read his rap sheet with the police. You’re lucky to be alive.”
Tears rushed out of her eyes. “I know that. I’m embarrassed you saw my bad choices in black and white like that.”
Fuck. I wasn’t good at comforting a woman. This wasn’t my training. I squatted. “Did you want him back in your life again?”
She rubbed her temples and stood back. “No, but it should have been me that told him to get out.”
Okay. If that was how she wanted to play that moment, I tilted my head and asked, “Why didn’t you join me at the door and kick it closed, then?”
Her face turned red. “Because I’m weak near you.”
That wasn’t the word for her. I stood up. “You’re not.”
She pivoted toward me and pointed like I’d insulted her. “Don’t fucking tell me what you think I need to hear.”
I held up my hands in surrender. “I’m not. You’re sweet, good, and strong as hell, rebuilding a life for Bruce like you have.”
She squared herself up as she stared at me, but she put her hands down. “I don’t know… because I think tonight, I should sleep on the couch, so we don’t get confused.”
Today had been traumatic. I gave her space but stepped away from the wall and asked, “Are you sure you want to be alone in a place you don’t know?”
Her hands curled into balls at her side. “No, but I can’t depend on you.”
“Got it,” I said. Arthur had screwed with her head. I couldn’t change her past, but I tried to figure out a solution. “How about I pay you to decorate my house?”
Her entire body went white as she said, “I’m not a whore.”
I put my hand in my pockets and rubbed the back of my head as heat rose in my cheeks. “I was talking about the house, not sleeping with me.”
I lowered my head as I knew that was the wrong thing to say.
“You’re only offering that because you see I’m upset.”
She saw through my offer, but I said, “Partly true, but I can set you up with a budget so you can make this place livable.”
Why did I suffer from saying stupid things? The way her lips pressed together told me I’d been wrong and stupid. She lashed out at me. “Because you intend to stay in Virginia once I’m out of your hair.”
I snapped my fingers automatically. I hadn’t planned out my life beyond keeping her safe, as the company had never been on my radar until now. “Actually, I’d have to move to Pittsburgh when I take control of the company, but I swear I’ll pack whatever you pick out to take with me.”
“That’s a lot of work.” She rocked back and forth as she said, “Besides, you’ll get a fancy place like my brother, where I also shouldn’t go and visit.”
