Page 27 of Burn For Me

“You might be, but I’m going to help you, and then you will pack a bag and come home with me.”

Her eyes burst wide. “What did you just say?”

“I said, you will come and stay with me for a little while. At least until we can find you someplace safer to live.”

“Zack, you are crazy. I am not going to come to stay at your house.”

“Yes, you are.”

“Zack, I told you before I was not going to sleep with you.”

“I didn’t say anything about sleeping, Lilly.” I opened a closet door in the hallway and found the broom and dustpan. “I said you were going to stay at my house. I do have more than one bedroom, you know.”

“I don’t want to put you out.”

I approached her, setting the broom to the side and then taking her shoulders. “Lilly, you are not putting me out. I would not be able to rest or focus on anything if I didn’t think you were safe. I’m not asking for anything in return. Just give me the peace of mind to know you are safe. I live in a secure building with gated parking. It’s a lot safer than here.”

She didn’t want to stay here, but didn’t want to be with me either. I tried not to let that hurt me, but it did. “Look, let’s get things cleaned up, and then we can discuss it.” Not that I planned on discussing it. In my mind, it was a done deal.

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