Exposed (Let Me Love You #3)

Chapter 3

3

DREAMIN’

MATT

“ W elcome to my home.” I open the door that leads from my garage into my kitchen, and Lucy follows me in. She’s carrying a bulging backpack with her, what looks like the only belongings in her car.

“Shani, I’m home,” I call at the same time my golden retriever comes bounding up to us. Lucy gasps and steps behind me.

“She’s a sweetheart,” I assure her as I kneel to scratch Shani behind the ears.

“Did you miss me, girl?” I grab my scoop and pour a quarter cup of dry food in her bowl, then turn to look at Lucy.

She’s silently taking in my house. Her grip relaxes on the straps of her backpack, like she’s happy to be in an actual house instead of a car.

People end up homeless for thousands of reasons, and I’d like to know her story. I’m not kicking her back to the street tomorrow. I need to convince her to stay with me, at least for a few days. Maybe she’ll share what’s going on, and I can help her get back on her feet. Besides work, it’s not like I have a lot going on.

When Shani finishes eating, Lucy puts out a flat palm for Shani to sniff.

“Shani only has three legs,” Lucy points out.

“She does not,” I pretend to be surprised at the fact that Shani is missing a back leg. “Shoot, she does. The shelter charged me for all four limbs. What a scam.”

“Seriously?” Lucy looks at me with raised eyebrows.

“I’m kidding,” I chuckle and watch as Lucy smiles. I want her to feel comfortable.

“Your house smells good,” she notes.

“Anything has to smell better than your car. That thing looked gross,” I joke.

“Whatever,” she rolls her eyes.

“Hungry?” I hang my keys on the nail by the door.

“I’m okay, thanks,” she murmurs at the same time her tummy growls.

“Your stomach disagrees with you.”

“Traitor,” she looks down at her abdomen, and I grin at her sense of humor.

Opening a cabinet, I grab two of my favorite protein bars and hold one out for her. “Eat this. High in protein with fat and carbs. A mini meal before bed.”

Our fingers brush when she takes the plastic wrapped bar, and chills run up my forearms. I loved touching her hand when I helped her open her door, and I want to keep finding excuses to put my hands on her soft body.

Unwrapping the snack, she takes a huge bite. A big crumb threatens to fall from her lips, but she pushes it back in her mouth. She must be starving.

“I can whip you up something before bed,” I suggest, opening a cabinet to grab a skillet.

“I’m fine.” Her protein bar is already gone. She practically inhaled it.

“Did you even chew that? At least take another bar then.” I open and give her mine, then get another one for myself. I leave the skillet on the stove to use in the morning, then eat my bar.

I grab a glass and fill it with filtered water for her. “Here.” I hand it to her, and she downs that quickly, too. I hold my hand out to take the glass, then fill it for her again.

Her slight frame in my kitchen does things to my heart. I want to wrap her up in my arms and keep her warm tonight. Too bad I have a guest bedroom that she’ll probably sleep in. It’s almost 1AM now, and she’s probably exhausted.

After putting our empty glasses in the sink and discarding our wrappers, I gesture towards my hallway with an open palm. “I’ll show you the guest bedroom. You can use the adjacent bathroom and shower.”

“Thanks.” Lucy follows Shani and me down the hall.

“You need anything?” I ask after I show her the bathroom and the guest room.

“Nope. I’ve got everything in here,” she pats the full backpack she’s taken off her shoulders.

I turn to leave, then spin back around and lean my hands on the top of the doorframe. I’ll kick myself forever if I don’t take my chance with her.

“You can ignore what I’m about to say, but I’m throwing it out there. If you don’t want to sleep alone tonight, my bedroom is across the hall. I’ll leave the door open if you want to join me.”

Her eyes flit down my body, then meet my gaze again. When she says nothing, I leave to let Shani outside before bed.

I’m taking that as a no. Damn. At least, I tried.

***

Twenty minutes later, I’m showered and sitting against the headboard in bed in boxers and gray sweatpants. Shani lays at my feet, warming them with her furry body.

I turn my laptop on to transfer the photos I took today. Knowing Lucy is under the same roof as me, I doubt I’ll sleep. I’m too distracted by thoughts of her. Usually on the weekends, I work late hours, and it’s a good thing I can stay home tomorrow to edit this wedding portfolio.

A shadow darkens my doorway, and I raise my head to see Lucy in an oversized t-shirt and what looks like nothing but panties underneath.

I grin, and my cock twitches. My night just got a whole lot better. Shutting my laptop, I set it on my nightstand.

Then, I take a good look at her. She’s not trying to seduce me. Her body is poised like she’s ready to bolt. There’s no hiding the slightly darkened circles under her eyes like she hasn’t slept well in a long time.

Her eyes roam over my bare torso. “I’ve never slept with a guy on the first date. Not that this is a date,” she stammers while she plays with the hem of her shirt, and it’s endearing. “You know what I mean. Usually I’m with a guy a little while before I go that far.”

Now I feel like a dick. She thinks sex is payment for staying here. “You don’t have to sleep with me, Pepper. Don’t feel obligated because I’m giving you a place to stay. There are no strings attached to you crashing here.”

She nods. “I know, but I’m lonely.”

Her admission hits me like an anvil in the chest. Who knows how long she’s been on her own. Her vulnerability makes her seem even younger.

“Come here,” I motion her to me with two fingers, then scoot to the side of the bed and pull the covers back for her to slip inside.

“Move, girl,” I coax Shani over with my feet.

“How old are you?” I ask, hoping she’s not a teenager. She looks young, but it may be her baby face and big doe eyes.

“Twenty-two. You?”

“Twenty-seven. I get lonely, too,” I confess. “Been thinking about getting a roommate.”

Her body is tense, and she clutches her hands in her lap. She’s not ready for sex, so I throw that idea out of my head. Well, I table it. Hopefully, we can come back to it at a later date.

“Did you grow up in Florida?” I ask.

“No. Is this twenty questions? I thought you wanted to hook up with me,” she comments with her brows furrowed.

“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t hope for it. But we don’t have to. We can chill together. Do you want to hook up with me?”

“Kind of. I mean, maybe.” She fumbles her words worse than an inept football player.

“If it’s not a resounding ‘yes,’ then it’s a ‘hell, no.’ I don’t want you to regret it in the morning.”

I don’t want her sleeping with me out of obligation because I gave her a bed to sleep in. Maybe it was a mistake to invite her into my bed, but I couldn’t help myself.

“You work tomorrow?” I ask.

“Yeah.”

It’s late, and she has to carry countless trays tomorrow.

“That settles it. Let’s talk a little, then go to sleep,” I decide.

She nods in agreement. “Okay. Where did you grow up?”

“Aveline, a small island east of here. Everyone was always in each other’s business. What about you?”

“I grew up far from here.” I don’t miss the fact that she didn’t tell me where she grew up. This girl is full of secrets.

She rests her head against the headboard. “Can I tell you something? This bed is amazing.”

“How long have you been sleeping in your car?” I ask.

“Two months.”

“That’s a long time to sleep in your car.”

She lifts one shoulder, and it touches the tips of her hair. “It’s temporary. I’ll get things sorted out.”

“I have no doubt you will, Pepper. ”

“Have you ever wanted to live somewhere else?” She smooths her hand over the sheet laying over her lap.

“I’ve thought about Colorado. My friend Hope lives there, and she’s found a great support system. I’m sure I could find work in Denver,” I answer.

“Colorado, huh? I’ve never been there. I’d love to see the mountains,” she gives me a wistful smile.

“Took a trip out there and photographed Hope and Noah’s wedding about six months ago. Noah, their friend Deacon and I went hiking and camping for Noah’s bachelor party. It’s a cool place.”

We’re both sitting up in my bed, but I bet she’d be more comfortable laying down. “If you haven’t been in a bed for a while, want to lie down?”

She grins at me, then moans with pleasure when her back hits the mattress. “Oh gosh, I forgot how good this feels.”

My dick is jealous of how she’s reacting to my bed. I want her responding to me that way.

I could make you feel even better. I stop myself from saying it out loud, because now is not the time.

Plus , I have to admit, I’m enjoying her company. When you’ve been alone for a long time, it’s soothing to have someone beside you.

“I invited you to sleep with me, but I didn’t mean I just want sex with you,” I assure her. Laying on my side to face her, I bunch my pillow up to be more comfortable. “I want you next to me.”

Maybe that was too open. My confession makes me feel more exposed than if I’d pulled out my cock and asked her to ride it. Seriously, though, I miss having someone to hold at night. It’s been years.

“That’s sweet of you to say.” She yawns, and it’s the cutest. Her nose crinkles, and she uses her dainty hand to cover her mouth.

I love her wrists. Call me weird, but I’ve got a thing for women’s wrists. They’re elegant and beautiful.

Before I can stop myself, I circle her wrist with my fingers and rub my thumb over the inside of the delicate skin there. Her pulse picks up where my thumb is.

Her eyes jump to where I’m touching her, then she looks at me with her incredible green eyes.

“What are you doing?” She asks, and I clear my throat as I pull my hand away.

I need to slow down, but my willpower is weak around her. “Couldn’t resist touching you. I’ll keep my hands to myself, sorry. Your eyes are striking, by the way. Is that your natural color?” I ask.

Her eyes widen and her mouth drops open like she’s totally thrown off.

“Um. Why would you ask that?”

Because I can’t take my eyes off of you . “Trying to figure out if that’s your real color,” I shrug to play it off.

She looks at Shani, then back at me.

“They’re color contacts,” she murmurs.

“Wanna take them out? I’d hate for your eyes to be super dry tomorrow.”

She bites her lip and furrows her brows in thought.

“Yeah. Give me a second.”She disappears from my room, then comes back a few minutes later.

I’m going to be painfully obvious in checking out her eye color now, but I don’t care.

“This is like a big reveal. What color are they?” I ask.

“Brown, goofball,” she laughs nervously as she gets back on the bed and looks at me.

My lungs burn when I take a sharp inhale. She’s even more hypnotizing now. The warm, rich brown of her eyes gives way to reddish specks around the inside.

“You’re even prettier now,” I whisper, and she breaks eye contact as her eyes shift to my covers.

She’s young, so maybe she doesn’t realize how gorgeous she is yet.

“You’re beautiful, you know that?” I could lean in and kiss her right now, but then I’d lose all self-control. I’d strip her naked and make her come repeatedly until she was a drenched mess. Not sure she’s up for that tonight, so I keep my lips to myself.

“You like your job?” I ask, switching to first date level questions to make her comfortable.

“No,” she shakes her head vehemently. “I’m not meant to be a server. I’ve only worked there for six weeks, and I’m lucky I haven’t dropped a tray of food or drinks yet. It pays well enough, so it’s a temporary gig while I figure things out.”

I nod in understanding. What did she do before catering? She has to be hiding, but from what or who? Is that why she wears color contacts, to disguise what she looks like? Sadly, I don’t think she’ll answer any of those questions tonight.

“What about you? You like your job?” She asks.

“I love photography. Not sure I want to stay in wedding photography. What’s your dream job?” I ask.

“Promise not to laugh.”

“What do you want to be, a clown?” I joke with a smile.

“No.” She swats my arm playfully, and I like that she feels comfortable touching me.

Then, she tosses her head so her bangs move away from her eyes and makes direct eye contact with me again. Her boldness turns me the fuck on, like she’s got bravery in spades.

“Being a stay-at-home mom is my dream job. But having kids racks up the bills, it doesn’t pay them.”

I wasn’t expecting that. Women can be really career-focused, but it’s not a bad thing to want to be a stay-at-home mom either.

“Why did you think I’d laugh at that?” I ask. Her ambition is hot.

“I don’t know. Seems like women get judged for wanting a career, but then we get judged for wanting to be moms.”

She’s right.

“Someone will always judge you for your decisions. Screw ‘em. Go after your dreams, Pepper,” I share.

She looks at me curiously but stays quiet, so I go back to surface questions.

“What did you do before catering?” I ask, pushing to see what she’ll share about her past.

“I work tomorrow. We should probably get to sleep,” she changes the subject.

“You don’t want to talk about your past. Got it,” I nod. “ Let’s sleep.” I turn off the light, and we’re bathed in darkness. I nudge Shani to the side, then turn to face Lucy.

“Can I spoon you?”

“I don’t know. Can you?” She claps back.

“It’s like that, huh?” I tickle her side, and she laughs . It’s beautiful. Sweet and husky, and I want to hear it nonstop.

“Stop.” She continues laughing and swats at my bare chest, but I don’t relent.

“Only if you turn over so I can be the big spoon.”

“What if I want to be the big spoon?” She huffs.

“Do you?” I ask.

“Nope,” she pops the “p,” then the covers rustle as she turns over. I wrap my arm around her waist to pull her close to me. She lets out a contented sigh as she settles back against my chest.

“Good night, Matt. Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it. Good night, Lucy.”

Soon, her breathing is quiet and even, and pride fills my chest that I can provide a warm, safe place for her tonight.

I thought the night would end with me getting her phone number, but this is worlds better.

At least for now, I’m not lonely. Shani snuggles onto my feet. She, Lucy and I are like three peas in a pod. All of us were lonely and looking for a safe place to land. We fit in this bed together perfectly, even if it’s just for one night. I’ll take it.

** *

Something pushes against my chest. My eyes snap open to feel Lucy struggling next to me.

“I didn’t do it. Please,” Lucy groans, clearly in the middle of a nightmare.

“Lucy, you’re dreaming.” I shake her shoulder to wake her up, and her dark hair covers her face.

“I’d never do that…” She thrashes more before murmuring, “I promise, I didn’t do it.”

When I pull her hair away from her face, her eyebrows are pulled together tightly in distress.

Shani wakes and whimpers.

“It’s okay, girl,” I assure her with a pat on the head.

I shake Lucy again, but she won’t open her eyes. Her whimpers turn to crying.

What happened to this girl that she’s crying in her sleep? I can’t wake her up without being rough with her, so I do the only thing I can think of.

Curling my body around hers, I wrap one arm around her while my other hand strokes her hair.

“I believe you,” I whisper in her ear, then kiss the top of her head gently. “I believe you didn’t do it.” I whisper it over and over again until her cries turn to whimpers, then to soft, even breathing.

Whatever she’s dreaming about, I think it happened in real life, and it’s the reason she’s on the run. I have to find out what happened to her.