Page 15 of Blaze

“Yep.The one I’ve been using anyway.Ryder’s wife, Claire, helped me choose, but if you don’t like it, we can pick another.Not today, though.You need rest and sleep.”

I stare at him.Sometimes his words are odd or cryptic.What does he mean when he says “we can pick another room”?I feel like I should say something coherent about my stay here.

“I’m sure this will be fine.I’ll get out of your hair in a few days.I can’t thank you enough for helping me.You’ve gone above and beyond by bringing me home after rescuing me.As soon as I can hobble around, I’ll get a room at the bed and breakfast or move on.”

His brows furrow as he gently cups my cheek.“I know you’re exhausted, and this thing we feel is unexpected and confusing, but trust me, it’s there.Can you let your mind relax and take things one step at a time?Bath, food, rest.That’s our goal for now.Don’t focus on tomorrow yet.Okay?”

I nod.He’s right.That’s all that matters.There’s no sense trying to figure out next week.I don’t even have enough information to do so.But he did reiterate what he’s been telling me almost from the moment I met him.He sees me as more than a nuisance, more than a stupid girl who fell and needs some help.

He might have to tell me ten times before I grasp it, but I’m confident he will.He’s determined and extremely patient.

Could I really end up in a relationship with the man who rescued me from my own idiocy?

Chapter7

Blaze

I know she’s struggling.It’s understandable.I won’t pressure her.There’s no need.Stroking the back of her head, I realize something.“You need far better hair products than I have here.I’m going to call Dallas’s wife, Arianna, and see if I can borrow her shampoo and stuff.She has curls like yours.”

Vicky smiles.“Thank you.It’s going to be a pain dealing with it.I doubt I can hold my arms up long enough to comb through the tangles.”

“Well, you won’t have to.I’ll do it, baby.”He rises.“Will you be okay if I leave you for a few minutes?”

“Yes.”

I hate stepping away from her.Partly because I don’t want her to fall asleep and slip under the water, but also because I want to be near her.I feel that pull more by the minute.Now that she’s naked in my bathtub, I sense the connection growing between us more than ever.

I bend to kiss the top of her head.“Don’t move.”

“I won’t.”

I jog from the room, already pulling my phone out.

Arianna is the town librarian, so I’m sure she’s at the library now.She answers on the first ring, though.“Hey, Blaze.I heard you rescued a woman this morning.Are you married yet?”

I chuckle.I’m not even remotely incensed by the ribbing I’m going to get from everyone.Let them joke.“Ha-ha.I need a favor.Vicky’s hair is similar to yours.Can I borrow your shampoo and conditioner?”

“Of course.Also, grab the basket on the left side of the vanity.It has a bunch of curly girl products she might need.”

“Thank you.”

“Anytime.”

I end the call and knock on Dallas and Arianna’s door.There’s no answer.I didn’t expect there would be.Dallas is probably working downstairs in his office.

It only takes me a minute to grab all the girly products from the bathtub and the counter.I’m back in my bathroom in record time.

The moment I return, relief consumes me.It’s an odd mixture of seeing that she’s fine and confirming I didn’t imagine her into existence.She’s really here, in my tub.

She’s sitting upright and using a bar of soap to wash her right foot.She’s a fucking vision.I’m frozen for a few seconds, taking her in as if I haven’t seen her for days.

I don’t want to be an asshole ogling her, but damn, she is gorgeous, ignoring the bruises and scrapes from her fall, of course.I never really imagined myself with someone so petite, but when Cupid shot his arrow, she was the one I was looking at.

Her breasts are above the water, high and tight, small with tiny nipples.I can’t help thinking they won’t always be like this.Not that I mind.I don’t care how big they are.I’m going to worship them at every stage of her life—when she’s ready.They will, however, be full and heavy after she gives birth to our first child.The rest of her will change, too.I’m already picturing her stomach round and protruding.

Shaking the visuals from my head, I hold up the items in my hands.“Arianna has a lot of curly hair products.She said you would know what you need.”

“That’s so sweet of her.Thank you.I have everything in my car, too, but it would be hard for you to locate it all without digging around.I won’t subject you to that.”