“Okay, whatever you think is best,” she agreed, far easier than I expected.
We made small talk until Leigh returned from visiting the girls. As I assumed, Leigh offered her house up to anyone who needed a place to stay. I assured her it would be just the two of us for the time being. She gave me an odd look, but thankfully didn’t question why I was staying as well.
10
Crap. I didn’t want to like these people. I mean, Copper was one hot man, and any heterosexual female would have to agree, but he had been quite a dick to me on more than one occasion.
Leigh, on the other hand, seemed like the older sister I always wished for and never had. She gave me a makeover! No one, not even my own mother, had ever given me a makeover. In Mom’s defense, it was probably because she was too busy working her tail off trying to provide a decent life for us.
It would be easier to get away if I didn’t like the people. Leigh made me want to stay. And if I was being completely honest, Copper made me want to stay as well, for an entirely different reason.
I knew I couldn’t stay. If I did, I could potentially be putting them in danger. I could also be putting myself in danger. I knew there were likely three angry men looking for me, and I had no idea where they were and what connections they had. I couldn’t chance being spotted and sent back to one of my previous hells. So, even though I didn’t want to leave, I would, but I could stay for a few more days as long as I kept a low profile.
With that decided, I changed into a tank top and some shorts, took care of my dressing, and climbed into bed. It felt like hours before I fell asleep. My mind wouldn’t stop running in overdrive.
I woke with a start, my eyes instantly opening and searching for the cause. “It’s just me. Didn’t mean to scare you,” was whispered from behind me.
In. The. Bed.
A warm hand snaked across my waist and pulled me back against a firm chest. “Go back to sleep.”
Okay, sure. There’s an unexpected man in my bed, but I’ll just go back to sleep. I don’t think so. “What are you doing in here?” I asked, my voice hoarse from sleep.
“Trying to get some sleep,” Copper grumbled.
“Well, do it in your own bed,” I squeaked.
“Sleep, Locks. Just sleep,” he mumbled.
Before I could protest any further, his body relaxed and I heard his breathing grow deeper and even out. How in the hell had he fallen asleep that fast?
Much to my chagrin, I found myself snuggling back against him and falling asleep in record time.
When I woke that morning, Copper was plastered to my back, one leg wedged between both of mine, and his hand was cupping my bare breast underneath my tank top. Despite my best efforts to will my body to behave, my traitorous nipples pointed out their delight at the situation.
I took in a slow, deep breath before I tried to extricate myself from Copper’s grasp. Unfortunately, I didn’t get very far. I had moved maybe an inch when his arm tightened, and by extent, his hand. I involuntarily rolled my hips back, eliciting a low groan from him.
He rocked forward, pressing closer to me and nuzzling my neck, his warm breath causing goosebumps to erupt on my skin. His hand moved down, and he caught my nipple between his thumb and forefinger, pinching lightly. It was my turn to moan. And it might as well have been the equivalent to a bucket of ice water.
Copper was suddenly off the bed and across the room breathing heavily. “This,” he barked, pointing an accusatory finger at the bed, “cannot happen.” With that, he bolted from the room like his pants were on fire. The bastard even slammed the door on his way out.
To say I was mortified would have been an understatement. Furthermore, I hadn’t initiated any of it. He was the one who crawled into bed with me. He was the one who put his hand under my shirt. I tried to spare us both embarrassment by getting out of bed. But HE wouldn’t let me.
Well, I was getting out of bed, and I was going to find President Shithead and let him know exactly what I thought about his declaration of what could not happen. Only, I didn’t get the chance. Before I could get the door open, I heard a bike fire up and race away from the house. Not only had I driven him from my bed, but I had also driven him from the house as well.
What a wonderful way to start the day. On the bright side, feeling rejected and humiliated would make it easier to leave. On that note, I decided to focus on figuring out how to get to my friend’s place. I hated asking people for handouts, but I didn’t even have one damn penny to my name, and I refused to compromise my morals for a little bit of money because that would make me just as bad asthem.
The thought almost had me bursting into tears, until my pity party was interrupted by a knock on the door. Leigh poked her head in and surveyed the room. “I heard Copper roar out of here a few minutes ago. Is everything okay?”
I shrugged, “As far as I know. He didn’t say anything to me.”
She gave me a once over and pursed her lips. “I see. Well, I was about to start breakfast. You hungry?”
No, I wasn’t, but I knew better than to pass up a free meal. My future wouldn’t likely hold many full and free meals. I gave her a fake smile, “I am. I just need a few minutes to freshen up.”
I let myself have five minutes and no more to silently freak out and break down in the bathroom before I pushed it all to the back of my mind and made my way to the kitchen. Whatever Leigh was making smelled divine.
“Have a seat. It’s almost ready,” Leigh called over her shoulder.