She takes a step toward me. “I don’t like the idea of you going home. There’s more to this story.”
I shake my head. “I’m sure I’m making a big deal out of nothing. Now that it’s daylight, I’m sure I was overreacting.”
“I don’t like it either,” Charles says. “Why don’t you come stay with me for a few days, Britney? My wife would love having you.”
I smile at Charles. He’s the kindest man I’ve ever met. So gentle and caring. The best guy for the job of night manager at an animal shelter. I’ve met his wife too. Abigail. Sweet round woman who likes to hug. Everyone loves her.
Charles’s phone pings and he pulls it out of his pocket. His grin stretches across his face. “Speak of my wife. Woman’s probably wondering where I am. Five minutes later than normal and she worries.”
Cindy smiles at him. “You go on home, Charles. We’ll figure this out.”
“Okay.” He turns toward me with a stern look on his face and points his finger. “You call me if you need a place to stay, you hear?”
“Yes. Thank you, Charles. I’ll be fine.”
Charles shakes Davis’s hand. “Nice to meet you.” He turns toward Cindy. “Be back later tonight.”
“Thank you, Charles.”
After Charles leaves, I realize Davis is staring at me, brow furrowed.
“I’m just going to run home for a few hours,” I tell Cindy.
“No.” Davis is shaking his head.
It’s jarring because I don’t know him at all. Cindy obviously knows him from somewhere, but his intensity and interest in my welfare is kinda over the top.
Cindy glances at him. She’s biting her lip. Distressed. I feel bad.
“Seriously. It’s no big deal,” I insist.
Davis nods at Cindy when her eyes go wider.
What the hell?
He turns toward me. “Can you work in what you’re wearing for today?”
“Well, I guess, but it’s not necessary.”
“Good. What time do you get off?”
I glance at Cindy. She’s flushed and breathing deeply.
Davis keeps talking. “I only need a few hours here this morning to get this job done, then I need to head to my office and take care of a few other jobs today. I’ll come back and pick you up. You can stay at my place for a few days until we sort this out.”
I gasp, my mouth falling open. “I couldn’t do that.”
His expression is stern. I’m guessing he’s not the sort of man you argue with. “Sure you can. My house is safe. Yours is not. And there’s no way I’d let you sleep in your car again tonight.”
“He’s right,” Cindy adds. “You’ll be fine in what you’re wearing for the day. Just be careful with those flip flops. If you need to go back into your apartment tonight to retrieve some things, Davis can go with you.” She turns toward Davis. “She gets off at four.”
Davis nods. “I’ll be here.” He points at me. “Don’t leave until I get here. Got it?”
So bossy. I flinch at his tone. I should probably tell him to fuck off. But the words won’t come out. There’s something about him that makes me want to trust him. Hell, there’s something about him that makes me want to throw myself at him. I’d like to feel those big hands running up and down my body.
I shiver and take a step back.
He’s still looking at me. Waiting for a response?
I wrap my arms around my middle. “Okay.” The thing is, he’s perceptive. I’m in trouble. He knows it. I don’t know how the hell he’s so astute, but he is. And the truth is I have no business going back to my apartment ever. The man is offering me a place to stay. I’ll take it. At least for a few days until I can figure shit out.
Chapter 3
Britney
I haven’t been this nervous in a very long time. Even though I grew up in the foster care system and I’ve seen things no kid should ever be exposed to. Even though I’ve been working as a stripper for a year and seen things most adults should never be exposed to.
Nothing compares to the nerves I feel as I step into Davis Marcum’s home. He picked me up at four o’clock like he’d said and hasn’t spoken more than a few words since then.
During the drive, he mostly brooded, his fingers clasping and unclasping the steering wheel.
When we arrived, he parked in the garage and closed it before we got out of his SUV. Not