Page 8 of His Little Pumpkin
With a rolled-up towel behind my head, I actually doze off for a while – I can tell where I am in the playlist that about half an hour has passed. When I stand and towel off, I have to admit that all the tension has drained from my muscles.
I shuffle to the bedroom in just a towel, then throw on pajama pants and an old t-shirt before going out to find Laura. She has her hair tied up in a messy bun on top of her head, which looks beautifully tousled and sexy.
“How was your bath?” Her eyes are so bright and hopeful that even if I’d hated every minute of it, I would never in a million years tell her.
“Honestly? I feel completely invigorated. Like my busy day went down the drain with the water. Great idea.”
I sit beside her on the couch, noticing her laptop is open on the coffee table. “Dinner was amazing,” she says. “Thank you so much.”
“Anything for you.” My hand gravitates to her knee, giving it a gentle squeeze. “How is your work going? Did you have some English meeting things today?”
Laura grins. “Yes. And they went really well.” Her smile falters. “The only problem with that program is that they take about a month and a half to pay.”
“What about the one that was supposed to pay you the other day?”
Her bottom lip wobbles. “Still hasn’t come through.”
Part of me wants to put my fist through a wall at the thought of some jackass not paying Laura on time. “Well, I’m glad you’re here with me. Safe, warm, and well fed.”
“Yeah. Thank you again for everything.”
“And thankyou.” I look around the room. “You’ve done more of that…cleaning, arranging, making-it-all-look-better thing.”
She giggles sweetly, drawing my attention to her perfect rose lips. “I’ve never had a place where I felt I had free rein to rearrange things. It feels good.”
“Good.” My gaze flicks to the large clock in the dining room. “Tomorrow is my big baking day, so I need to go in extra early.” I reach out and take her hand, threading her fingers through mine. “Shall I tuck you into bed?”
Her eyes light up.
I don’t want Laura to think for one moment that she owes me anything for the food and shelter. I’m caring for her because it’s the right thing to do, and because she needs someone in this world to keep her safe. But it’s clear that Laura wants me as much as I want her. At the same time, I’m not sure how fast these kinds of things usually progress.
We walk hand-in-hand the short distance down the hallway to the guest room. I notice that she has the pillow wedged in the far corner of the foldout couch. “You don’t center the pillow?” I ask. “Is this some new design thing you saw on online?”
She laughs lightly, sitting on the edge of the bed. Then she pats a certain spot. “There’s a metal bar right here. If I sleep diagonally, I don’t get it right in the spine.”
My hand skims along the noticeable protrusion. “Why didn’t you say anything?”
“Are you kidding?” she says. “This is still one of the most comfortable places I’ve slept in years.”
Another wave of rage with no target lashes through me. How could this precious girl not be comfortable?
“I’m truly sorry – I had no idea. I’ve never slept on this.” I study her eyes. “There’s also the big couch in the living room, if you like. Or… My bed is pretty big. It’s a new mattress, with one of those…what do you call ’em.…sponge top things that you sink into just the right amount.”
Laura’s tongue flicks across her bottom lip so fast I almost don’t catch it. But my body notices, sending blood surging south as I realize how much I want her nestled against me all night.
“I know you need your rest,” she says softly. “But I would feel very safe if I were sleeping next to you.”
In half a blink, I’ve scooped her into my arms, carrying her to the next room.
Somehow, I’m going to sleep with Laura without actuallysleepingwith her. I need this precious girl to know I want her for her. Not just for…that.
I swallow hard.
As for “that”…
I hope it’s just a matter of time.
6
