Page 57

W e both stand in the doorway peering into the musty smelling, carpet-stained motel room. Crew’s large presence is painfully obvious, him only inches away from grazing my shoulder, so I gladly step in first to get away from him.

If someone asked me to rate the room, I’d give it a solid one star. Maybe one point five because at least there’s good lighting. I reach over and turn the lamp switch on. When nothing happens, I try again.

That half a point, I’m taking back.

I sigh and Crew cracks his neck as if preparing to go deep into the trenches of war. That’s fair. This room is awful, and I think this may be the one thing we can ever agree on.

I eye the one bed in the center of the room up against the wall and my stomach rolls. I should have guessed there’d only be a single bed. But I’d rather be buried alive than sleep next to Crew.

“Fuck.” He throws his tiny duffel bag onto the bed and heads toward the bathroom. His broad back in view as he dips his head under the doorframe.

In the corner sits a small chair. That’s good. He can sleep there. Mysterious stains never hurt anyone. Better him than me.

Crew returns from the bathroom disgusted. His face all pinched together like a toddler in the midst of a tantrum.

We don’t speak as each of us surveys the place.

So now what?

Being stuck with him makes my skin crawl, and I’ll be sure to add Logan to my shit list after this.

My mind tells me to run. Get as far away from Crew as possible. But since this is our only option, I tell myself I can feel sorry about it later.

“Your face might stay that way if you keep doing that.”

The sour expression I’m holding drops immediately. Fuck him.

“Guess we should sleep.” Crew sits down on the bed and in one quick motion, he pulls off his shirt discarding it aside.

As he removes each boot, the muscles in his back move with ease.

A large tattoo taking up a good portion of the center.

His MC name is also written in black ink across his hard shoulders.

The quick feeling of agonizing disgust comes rushing back. And when he stands, his fingers work the buttons on his jeans.

I practically recoil in shock. “Oh my God. What are you doing?”

He looks over his shoulder. “I’m going to bed. What does it look like I’m doing?”

“It looks like you’re getting naked and I’m not sleeping in that bed with you.”

He raises his brow, then sighs. “I’m tired. Just get in the damn bed.”

“I am not sleeping in the same bed as you.”

He turns entirely, leaving me with a perfect view of his chest tattoos and ripped abs. The ink continues, snaking around both shoulders, up his neck, down his arms.

“Get in the damn bed,” he repeats with every wave of art staring at me.

I cross my arms over my chest. “I’m not sleeping next to you while your penis is free. I don’t trust you and that thing .”

He blinks like he can’t believe I just said that. “If you think I’m going to make a move on you, believe me, sweetheart, you’re not my type.”

I scoff. “Right. Forgot. You only go for the long legged, giant boobs in your face type who ask when and where.”

“It’s better than a crazy raging bitch.”

My head jerks back. No, he fucking did not.

My emotions get the best of me and before I know it, my flip-flop goes souring through the air. A surge of disappointment hits me when he ducks in time.

Bastard.

“Did you just throw your shoe at me?” he asks with both eyes narrowing.

I shrug. “I saw a spider.”

“I rest my case,” he mutters under his breath as he scoots his body under the covers, leaving his jeans on.

Thank God.

I’m not a bitch. I just don’t like this man. And I have every reason not to.

“Are you really sleeping in the only bed?” I ask with a fiery tone, for sure thinking it would ignite his head on fire.

“Yup.” He pops the p, and my blood goes hot.

“Fine.” With a hard tug, I pull the sheet Crew was using and drag it over to the chair. I pay no mind as his frustrated grunt fills the room.

It’s okay. The stain is dry and well embedded into the material by now. It can’t come off and infect me with whatever the hell it is.

I throw the sheet on my so-called bed for the night and curl my body into a ball. I’m not tall by any means, but this is still hard to do, and I just know my muscles will hate me in the morning.

“Comfortable, killer?” Crew asks in smugness from his nice, cozy bed. Although, despite having more space, I doubt it’s more comfortable.

“Yes. In fact, this chair is extremely pleasant,” I lie with a wince.

It takes a few twists and turns before finding a bearable position. But it still won’t do. So, I twist and turn some more.

“For Christ’s sake,” an annoyed bark comes out of Crew. I hear the bed squeak, feeling his presence hovering over me. “Move. I’ll sleep here. You can have the damn bed if it means you’ll stop moving.”

No way. My pride is way too fragile to give in.

“I’m good.” I turn over once more, losing the only tolerable position.

“Stubborn fucking woman.”

I feel the cushion beneath me fly upward taking my body with it and I go soaring. My ass landing on the hard floor. “Did you just—”

“Payback for the shoe. But because I’m feeling generous tonight, I’ll let you have the bed. Just don’t say I never did anything nice for you.”

“Oh, how sweet. I shall remember this when I’m old and gray telling the grandkids stories of my youth.” I stalk off toward the bed, taking the sheet with me in one angry tug.

He barks out a laugh. “You mean someone will actually be able to tolerate you long enough? Doubtful.”

Ouch.

I don’t expect a blow from Crew to cut that deep.

But my heart resides in my throat and an unexpected swell of emotions come rushing in.

It’s safe to say I never had a long, serious relationship.

Not as an adult. I’d like to believe it’s because I haven’t found the right person yet, but maybe there’s a bigger meaning behind it. Maybe I am insufferable to be around.

“Killer…” Crew’s voice is softer this time. But it’s too late because the damage is already done.

We exchange no other words. Only the distant thumping of a car radio in the parking lot and the soft hum of the window unit are the only sounds.

I’m glad. I need something to drown out my thoughts.

Though sleep never came and when the sun peeked in through the curtains, I saw Crew staring up at the ceiling. Guess sleep hadn’t found either of us that night.