television and game systems are another matter.
I toss Toby a stack of money on my way out with a bag full of dirty rags that I used to clean. “Sweet. You had to drink a shot and we get a new TV,” he says as he stuffs the bills into his pocket, looking pleased. “Your girlfriend should come around more often.”
“Fuck off.” I can’t wait for him to have to drink that shit again. I’ll be watching him and the others, waiting in the shadows for them to fuck up.
I walk out of the warehouse, heading for the laundry building that’s kept at the end of the row. With so many of us, it’s necessary to have our own laundromat.
It matches the rest of the buildings with the same metal sheeting, and inside, it’s filled with industrial washing and drying machines, ten of each, and there’s even a steamer and an ironing station too. As soon as I get inside, I see a few others around who nod at me, but my eyes latch onto the brown-haired female bent over, her arms reaching into one of the dryers.
Immediately, I load up the dirty rags into the first washing machine I get to before putting soap in and starting the cycle.
Then I change course and walk over to her. She’s still busily folding items as she stacks them into her hamper before reaching into the dryer and grabbing more. I lean against the washing machine with my arms crossed as I watch her.
She’s wearing silver leggings with stars on them and a simple black t-shirt, but just the sight of her bent over like that makes me think of all the times she was naked and in the same position. I want to lean over and bite her juicy ass and remind her of all the places my mouth has been on her.
“You’ve been avoiding me.”
She jumps at my voice, smacking her head on the inside of the dryer before straightening up with a groan. Rubbing her hand on her head, she glares at me. “You startled me.”
“And you’re ignoring me.”
Reese looks well rested, the circles under her eyes gone and her hair tied back in a simple ponytail, but she looks so damn nervous to be standing here with me that I have to bite back a sigh. Her eyes dart to the dryer and the empty hamper next to her.
I cock my head. “Why are you so nervous to be around me?”
Her eyes snap back to my face. “What? Nervous? I’m not nervous, why would I be nervous?” she says hastily.
“Reese.”
Her eyes narrow at my tone. “Lug Nut.”
That makes my lips twitch. Just like that, I go from irritated to amused. She has that effect on me.
“We should talk.”
The stark panic that crosses her face is almost humorous. “Talk? Why do we need to talk? I don’t think we need to talk,” she says, holding the door of the dryer in front of her like a barrier to keep me away.
“We do,” I reply simply before stepping forward and taking the door from her, opening it all the way. I don’t want anything between us. Not this weird panicked avoidance or the damn dryer door.
“I can’t right now. I have to go clean the sanctuary room I was in. No one is in heat right now, so it’s the best time for me to go take care of it,” she tells me, looking very pleased with the fact that she has an excuse.
As if I’d give up that easily.
“Perfect. I’ll help you.”
Sheer horror makes her eyes go wide and the blush drain out of her cheeks. “What? No. No, I’m cool. I’ve got it.”
I have to hold back a smile as I lean down and start removing the rest of the items in the dryer and toss them in the hamper for her. “No, really. I insist.”
“You can’t go. You’re a dude. No dudes allowed in the sanctuary.”
I tilt my head, conceding that point. “That’s true. If someone were there. But you just told me there isn’t. So I can go help you clean up, and we can talk.”
She opens and closes her mouth, like she can’t think of a way out of this.
Stifling a smile, I grab the rest of the stuff while she stands beside me, frozen. I pick up the last item in the dryer and close the door, but I stop, looking down at the familiar gray sight. “Is this my towel?”
She tries to snatch