“You can sleep on whichever side you want.”
“Which side would you sleep on if I wasn’t here?”
“This one,” I said and pointed to the side closest to the bathroom. “But it really doesn’t matter to me.” And it didn’t, although I thought it was sweet of her to ask. From what I’d seen so far, she seemed to be naturally considerate of other people. Something I found quite endearing.
She further proved my observation to be true when she said, “Let me know when you’re finished. I’ll step out of the room so you don’t have to get dressed in the bathroom.”
There was no way in hell I was going to let that happen. Not with what she was wearing.
“I appreciate it, but I’ll be fine,” I said and disappeared into the bathroom.
I didn’t linger in the shower, even though I desperately wanted to rub one out before I had to get into bed with her. I wish I could say I didn’t because it somehow seemed disrespectful, but the one and only reason I kept my hand off of my dick was because I didn’t want to take the risk of her hearing me. The clubhouse walls were thin, and based on the things I’d heard over the years, not everyone knew it. Or maybe they did and just didn’t care.
5
ASPEN
Iwas a bit nervous about going to sleep. Not because I was in bed with an attractive man who was also kind and caring, though that should have been reason enough. No, I was worried about having another nightmare. The dream was so intense and vivid, unlike any dream I’d had before. It felt real, and it was terrifying. I had no interest in experiencing anything like it ever again.
“Something on your mind?” Coal asked when I changed positions for the umpteenth time.
I sighed. I didn’t want to tell him everything, but I thought getting some of it off my chest might help. “I don’t want to have another nightmare,” I confessed and hated how weak I sounded.
He reached for me and pulled me to him, slipping an arm around me and cradling my head against his bare chest. “Tell me what it was about.”
“Someone was in my house, and they were trying to kill me. They were choking me, and I couldn’t do anything to stop them.”
“Do you know who it was?”
I should’ve expected that question, but I didn’t, and hesitated to answer, which I’m sure he noticed.
“It was a woman.”
“Hmm.” He was silent for a few moments while he thought. “Maybe you’re subconsciously nervous about moving back to Devil Springs, and it’s presenting itself in your dreams.”
“Yeah, I guess I am in a way. I mean, I’ve lived here before, but it was years ago. And this time, I’ll be living alone instead of with my stepdad.”
“And I’ll be right behind you if you need anything.”
“I still can’t believe you live in the house behind me. What a crazy coincidence,” I said, trying to shift to a lighter topic.
“Maybe,” he said quietly. “Or maybe it was meant to be.” At least, that’s what I thought he said. And the more I thought about it, it’s what I hoped he said.
* * *
The power was stillout when we arrived at my house to unload the moving truck. It was almost as cold inside as it was outside. I didn’t think moving was fun on a good day, but moving while freezing my ass off was horrible. I was more than ready to go back to the warm clubhouse by the time we were finished.
“Are you sure you don’t want us to put some of your furniture back together?” Game asked.
I pointed to my chattering teeth. “If it wasn’t so cold, I’d say yes, but I’m freezing.”
The disappointment on Game’s face was evident. “If you really want to, you’re welcome to stay and put stuff together,” I offered. “But I’m leaving.”
He grinned. “Do you have a spare key so I can lock up when I leave?”
“Let me check,” I said and rummaged through the junk drawer in the kitchen where we used to keep a spare key. Luckily, it was still there.
“Thank you for all of your help today,” I said and handed him the key.