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Chapter Four
MARC
The longer ittakes Staci to answer, the less hopeful I feel.
I should tell her there’s nothing sexual about my offer. It’s just me being friendly and wanting to help any way I can.
She glances towards her ex’s car before turning her gaze back to me. “What? I can’t do that.”
Why can’t she?
Does she think I am expecting something in return?
“I insist. You will be safe and he won’t be able to find you.”
I know I am playing unfair, but I can’t let her stay here tonight. My gaze locks onto hers, and I give her a pointed look, knowing she will eventually give in.
The softest sigh comes from her lips as she gives in. “Fine, but only if you are sure you have the room.”
A grin stretches across my face as I put the car in gear and drive away from her street. “You will have your own bedroom and bathroom.”
“Thank you.” Her voice is soft and barely above a whisper.
Neither one of us speaks as I navigate home. The drive only takes ten minutes, but it feels a lot quicker.
Reaching up, I click the button for the garage. “Home sweet home.”
After parking in the garage, I once again click the button on the remote before getting out.
I show Staci around my small two bedroom, two bathroom house before leading her to the guest room.
Realizing that she doesn’t have any clothes, I offer her a temporary solution. “If you need a sleep shirt, I can give you one of my spare ones.”
“That would be great, since I don’t have any clothes here. I guess I should keep a spare bag in my trunk from now on.”
She could keep some clothes here.
My mouth opens to speak, but my mind refuses to voice the thought I just had. It’s probably for the best. I don’t want to scare her away or make her think I want more.
Even though I would be the happiest man alive to have a relationship with her.
I shake those thoughts away and get back to the situation at hand. “There are towels in the bathroom and spare toiletries in the drawer.”
When Staci’s eyes widen, I chuckle so she doesn’t get the wrong idea. “I always keep it stocked for when my sister comes to stay with me. She likes to fly with only a carry on, so she only packs clothes.”
She steps closer to me and looks up into my gaze. “That’s pretty smart and very kind of you.”
I can smell her perfume and it stirs something inside of me.
Want, need, desire.
I need to put distance between us before I do something I’ll regret in the morning. “Well, you know where to find me if you need anything. Sleep well.”
I turn to walk out the door, but Staci’s hand wraps around mine and pulls me back.
Our gazes meet, my breathing gets shallower, and I want nothing more than to kiss her, but I don’t.
I can see the lust in her eyes, but she doesn’t act on it either. She smiles and says, “Thank you for everything.”