Page 51 of Blood Sugar

“Sure, I guess.”

Leaning against the doorframe, I admired the way his abs tightened as he reached down and tossed another dress into the open washing machine.

“Some of those are still clean,” I said. “But it doesn’t hurt to wash them all.”

His lips curved into a soft smile. “And then we can put them away in my closet once they’re dry.”

“I didn’t agree to move in with you.”

Sighing dramatically, Rowen straightened, turning to face me. His hands went to my hips, and I had to tip my head back to meet his gaze.

“You could get your own place if you wanted to. But we both know you’d be here with me every day and night. You might as well stay. Besides, if you stay, I’ll do your laundry and cook for you. And you can have blood any time you want.”

“Tempting,” I murmured, arching my neck to invite his mouth. Rowen didn’t deny me, his lips pressing to my skin in a gentle kiss. I’d almost forgotten about my injuries.

As he went back to the laundry, I held out my arm to inspect. The skin was almost normal.

“Your blood works fast,” I said. “I guess it’s your magic.”

“I may have cast a few healing spells too,” he admitted, smirking. “So are you going to tell me what happened?”

That was the last thing I wanted to do, but I owed Rowen the truth. He’d come to my rescue, after all.

The washer beeped as Rowen started the cycle. I nibbled at my bottom lip as we walked back into the living room. Ralph sat on the sofa, watching us.

Grinning, I plopped down beside him and scratched at the fur on his neck. His eyes closed and he stretched out, enjoying the attention.

Rowen sank down beside me, his arm looping around my waist and his hand resting on my hip. Reaching around me with his other arm, he stroked down Ralph’s back too.

“See, you do like him,” I said wryly. “Isn’t that right, Sprinkles?”

The opossum trilled.

“You should start calling him Sprinkles too. He likes it,” I said, scrunching up my nose.

“Ralph Sprinkles Sinclair,” Rowen answered with a roll of his eyes.

A sense of relief washed over me. He wasn’t pressuring me to tell him everything or rushing me through it. It made me feel safe.

Leaning my cheek against his shoulder, I closed my eyes and tried to summarize.

“I was staying outside of town.”

“At a motel, right?” he growled.

“Yes. Now shush.” Squeezing his arm, I let my nails press into his skin in a playful warning. “Well I’d been there a couple of weeks, and I’d paid for part of the stay, but he’d agreed to let me pay more once I got my first paycheck. But then I got back yesterday and there was a sign on my door that I was being kicked out.”

My throat tightened, and I took a slow breath. I was safe in Rowen’s arms, in his UV-blocked apartment. It was still dark out.

“It was almost sunrise, but he wouldn’t budge. I gathered up my stuff as fast as I could, but the sun was rising. I rushed to my car, but I got sunburned. So I pulled over and got under the blanket to block as much as I could.”

“I’m so sorry that happened to you.” Rowen’s hands flexed. “There’s no forgiving what they did.”

“Don’t go out there. He’s human, and he has no idea the risk he put me in. And he’s an asshole. There’s no point.”

It was a long moment before Rowen said, “Fine.”

“So yeah, that’s how I almost died,” I said with a laugh.