Page 59 of A Broody Mate for the Human

“I like to save my money,” I admit. “It’s rare that I allow myself to indulge like today.” Before Raffy can say anymore, I point a finger at him. “You, sir, need a shower.”

“I can’t object to that,” he admits, curling his nose a bit in disgust.

I lead him to the bathroom, rummaging around until I find the toiletries—fortunately they have a razor here too. Before I leave, I hand him a set of my clothes. “It’s not going to fit,” I admit. “But better than nothing. And we can buy you something tomorrow.”

For the first time since I met him, I can see Raffy looking at me, warmth in his eyes. “Thank you, Dave,” he says. “You’re truly kind.” He smiles slightly. “Though you obviously just wanted to tease me with the honeymoon suite.”

I’m so shocked he remembers my name that I can only nod. I take a closer look at him for the first time now that we have a lit room. Although he looks roughed up, and his hair and beard are a mess, it’s obvious he tried to care for himself as much as he could. I wonder if he had to bathe in a cold river here and there and where he got his clothes from.

What strikes me are his eyes. They are dark and deep, and they look so… kind, for lack of a better word. I thought he was a crazy killer at first, but it’s obvious now that there is nothing off about him. Maybe he is just a man who was really unlucky.

“I’m a sight to behold, aren’t I?” he mutters.

“No, don’t worry. You’re fine. You just need a shower and some rest.”

“I look hideous.”

“You look like someone who went through a lot,” I say softly.

He smiles slightly. “Are you always that nice to random strangers?”

“Not that nice,” I admit, wondering why I’m doing this here. He’s right; it is a bit weird. “Probably my own coping mechanism,” I admit.

“What are you coping with?” he asks me.

I tilt my head. “That’s a story for later, I think.”

He nods tentatively.

I decide to finally leave him, noticing how longingly he looks at the shower. Meanwhile, I grab my notebook and try to connect to Finn again, but it’s just like Jun said, his number seems to be dead or rather my call doesn’t seem to get through.

There is no use in doing anything here. I need to get help from a professional.

Chapter twenty-one

Memories

*DAVE*

Raffytakeshistimein the bathroom. I can hear the shower for a long while, and it makes me think about how he just washes all the tiredness away. If only it would be so easy to wash away sorrow and pain too.

Eventually, the shower stops running, and the sound of the water is replaced by Raffy grunting, hissing, and cursing.

“Everything alright?” I call to the bathroom.

“Yes,” he mutters, but it doesn’t sound too convincing.

After a few more minutes of cursing, which further leads to Sugar waking from his slumber, rummaging through the hotel suite, and peeing on the carpet, I decide I need to check what’s going on in there.

“Are you dressed?” I ask, hand on the handle already. “Because I’m coming in.”

Once I open the door, my eyes immediately fall on Raffy. He is dressed in my jogging pants and a shirt, which is all way too tight on him. There are ripples of his muscles visible through the shirt, and my eyes involuntarily go further downwards to the bulge in his way too-tight pants.

I knew beneath all the dirt there was quite the man hiding.

I clear my throat. “What’s the problem?”

Raffy sighs, pointing at his face. Only then do I notice his beard is half shaved off, little cuts marring the skin on his chin. I feel my cheeks flush for not seeing it first thing when entering the bathroom. Instead, I kept staring at his abs and crotch.