He really does care.
It was the last thought that went through Scarlett’s mind before the tentacles of sleep pulled her under. The next thing she knew, Olly was shaking her awake.
“Sweetheart, wake up.” His deep voice reached through her unconscious mind. “We’re here.”
Peeling her eyelids open, Scarlett automatically squinted against whatever light was shining through the parked car. It took several blinks and a gentle rub of her eyes to bring everything back into focus. When her vision cleared, she realized…
I have no idea where we are.
“This is my place.” He seemed to read her thoughts. “I figured, it’s late, and you probably didn’t feel like messing with checking into another hotel. But if you’re not comfortable staying here?—”
“No, it’s fine.” She cleared her throat and sat up a bit straighter. Unbuckling her seatbelt she added, “As long as you’re okay with me staying here.”
His expression softened, and he ran his knuckles down her cheek in that gentle, sweet way of his. “Nah, Red. I don’t mind. You can stay here as long as you need to.”
Her heart kicked inside her chest. She knew he meant as long as she needed to until they found Rose. Even so, the offer was both generous and sweet.
Just like the man who’d made it.
That was something she’d gleaned about Olly these last few days. Between his protective nature at the club—or anywhere they’d been together in public—and the way he treated her in bed, the man was virtually perfect.
A little rough around the edges, perhaps. But Scarlett didn’t mind a little rough.
Her mind wandered back to a few particular memories from the time they’d spent together in Durango. After that first nighttogether, they’d either slept in his bed or hers. But always together.
Scarlett looked up at the brick apartment building in front of her and wondered if he had a spare room. And if he did, would she be sleeping there…or with him?
“You sure this is okay?”
“Huh?” She looked back over at him. “Y-yeah. This is perfect.”
Looking as though he wasn’t quite sure he believed her, Olly pulled the keys from the ignition and opened his door. “Come on. I’ll give you the nickel tour.”
After retrieving their bags from the trunk, they made their way up a short flight of concrete steps and into the building’s main entrance. One short elevator ride later, and they were on the third floor and heading toward Olly’s apartment door.
She wasn’t exactly sure which one it was, so she followed a couple of steps behind. When he began to slow his steps, she assumed it was because they’d arrived.
“This is me,” he confirmed her suspicions.
Scarlett waited patiently for Olly to unlock the last door on the right at the very end of the hall. He opened the door and gave her room to pass. “Just remember, I’m a guy, and I live alone.”
Chuckling, she pulled her suitcase over the threshold and entered the dark space. She intentionally took a few extra steps forward to afford him room to make it inside with his bag as well.
Olly got inside, flipped on the light, and shut the door behind him. While he turned to take care of the locks, she took a cursory look around.
The place wasn’t overly large or super fancy. But it was clean, and it was cozy.
To her right was the living room space. The brown leather couch and matching recliner positioned around a rustic stylecoffee table. Simple lamps adorned twin end tables, one at the each end of the couch.
Mounted on the wall nearest her, directly across from the couch, was a large, flat-screen T.V. To her left was a galley-style kitchen with white cabinets and stainless steel appliances.
“Impressive, isn’t it?” Olly joked as he came to her side.
“It’s nice.” She looked up at him. “I like it.”
Leaning down, he pressed a sweet kiss to her lips before taking her suitcase from her and motioning to her right. “Come on. My bedroom’s back here. There’s a connected bathroom with a shower and a tub. Figured you’d probably want one or the other after the night you had.”
A nice, hot bath did sound rather nice. But only if Olly joined her.