Page 36 of All You Want
Wrapping a large plaid towel around me, I scout for my phone. It’s in my purse which is outside near the entry when Todd brought me into his place. I was so excited to see the inside of his cabin that I plumb forgot I have no clothes to wear.
Maybe being naked is just the right thing for a time like this. I wipe my face dry and primp my wet dishrag hair as best I can. Todd doesn’t have a brush and hairdryer, and I don’t have my makeup.
Oh well,au naturelit will have to be. I wonder how he’ll react when he sees me wandering out of his bathroom wearing nothing but his big ol’ fluffy towel.
Should I do it?
I frown at how big I look, especially with the bold checked pattern. The towel is jumbo-sized. What if he’s disgusted at the way my breasts overlap my belly? Or the dimples in my thighs?
I suck in a deep breath and put my ear to the door. Maybe he’s gone, and I can sneak out, grab my purse, and call Linx to the rescue.
Earlier, I heard him stomping around like a growly bear, restless and pacing. I strain to listen for footsteps, and there are none.
Could he have gotten called out on police duty?
Tucking the towel, I quietly open the door and tiptoe out of the bathroom. The cabin is warm, and I can smell a cozy fire going in the living room.
“Todd?” I call out in case he’s in the kitchen, but there’s no answer. It looks like the coast is clear.
I sneak by the living room, and that’s when I hear the steady rasp of a snore.
He’s asleep through all my singing?
I thought I’d annoy him and make him wonder what I’m up to, but he’s out cold.
Emboldened, I stride over the solid oak floorboards and stop in back of the rocking chair.
How cute.
My big lumbering sheriff is snuggled underneath an old-fashioned ripple afghan. His face is relaxed in sweetness and peace, and I can picture him as a boy—almost. He’s way too rugged to be a boy, and his jaw is darkened by his beard shadow.
“Oh, Toddkins,” I say, sighing. “Guess you would have been disgusted. Thanks for letting me clean up.”
I blow a kiss over him and leave him in front of the fire to call my girlfriend.
Linx comes over with the hoodie and sweatpants I leave at her place to go on dog walks with her.
“My brother conked out?” she whispers, peeking into the living room.
“Poor dear must be exhausted,” I say while pulling on my clothes. “He fired Molly for drinking on the job. My fault, and he said Shane is not answering his phone, so he’s on call all night.”
Linx pats the picnic basket I left at her place. “Why don’t you stay and have dinner with him?”
“I can’t.” I shrink back into the shadow of the hallway and pinch my fat. “He’s not interested in me. The entire time I was in the bathtub singing suggestive songs, all I did was put him to sleep.”
“Then stay as a friend.” She plops the picnic basket, mostly filled with Todd’s favorites, on the kitchen table.
“I can’t. I’ve intruded too much already.” I glance at my waistline spilling over my sweatpants. “Besides, my parents will be worried.”
She pats me on the shoulder and accepts my explanation. That’s what I like about Linx. She doesn’t argue and keep pushing her views the way I do to her. She knows I’m self-conscious about the extra weight.
“I’m sorry Todd isn’t interested,” she whispers. “No sense barking up a snoring tree.”
“Nope, not at all,” I agree. Even if Todd and I had something going on, we were supposed to keep it secret because he doesn’t want to be a crooked cop. I guess he’s worried that he keeps letting me get away with speeding tickets.
Just before leaving, I tiptoe into the living room and take a picture of my handsome sheriff sitting on a rocking chair in front of the fire.
“Thanks for saving me, Todd.” Leaning over, I grace his cheek with a kiss and smile down at him, unable to keep from stroking the stray lock of hair hanging over his forehead.
