the edge, I leave her to grab a sweatshirt from my closet and some sweat pants. I kneel in front of her and feed one leg at a time into the soft cotton material. She places her hands on my shoulders and stands on her own as I pull them the rest of the way up and remove the towel from her shoulders. She is definitely more with it now. Her hand goes to cover the scar between her breasts. I move my head to catch her eyes even though she is trying to avoid mine. Once I get them in my sights I gaze at her until her hand drops. Maybe it is instinct, or maybe it is something else, but I place my hands on her knees and lean in, kissing the scar lightly. I feel her tense, but she doesn't pull away. I bring my eyes back to hers and smile.
I want her to know it is all right, no matter what she is hiding from me. I grab the sweatshirt and she helps me as I pull it over her head, her arms going in the sleeves. She is swimming in my clothes, but at least she will be warm. I pull back the covers, helping her to get under them and she lies back, wincing when the bed puts pressure against her abrasion. It will be sore until it scabs over. Once she is settled, it takes her no time to be fast asleep.
I fall in the chair next to the bed taking a deep breath. Fuck, that was intense. I watch her for a moment, sleeping in my bed. Just where I've wanted her since I laid eyes on her, in my bed. I can feel a tear prick my eye, as the intensity of what just happened starts to sink in.
I wipe it away and breathe a sigh of relief that she is okay.
Chapter 20
Ellie
I wake, not knowing where I am at first. I try to turn onto my side and feel like I've been hit by a Mack truck and that's when it all comes back to me. I bury the side of my face into the soft pillow and smell him. His smell is all around me and it comforts me, makes me feel warm and safe.
I hear muffled voices and can't make out what they are saying, but it is two men talking. Sounds like arguing. It takes everything I have to sit up and swing my legs over the edge of the bed. The alarm clock on the bedside table says four p.m. As I stand, the sweat pants I'm wearing fall down my butt. I grab them as quick as my sore arms will let me and tighten the draw string. I go to the door, and on the other side of the bedroom is a living room. At least, there's a leather sofa and a TV. Then there is a hallway leading to the bridge of the boat, that's where I find a door to get to the deck. I see the back of Justin's head through the front end window.
Walking out, I cross my arms in front of me. It's a cool day with no sun. He hears me and turns around.
“Hey, you.” He comes to me and wraps one arm around my shoulders, the other around my waist. It feels good, it feels too good. He kisses the top of my head so lovingly.
“Hey.” My throat feels like sandpaper as I speak for the first time. I notice an older man who is a little overweight and wearing a brown official Sheriff's uniform walking down the dock. “Your dad?” I rasp. He nods, and I can tell whatever words were exchanged must not have been good. “Everything okay?” I see the Sheriff coming back down the dock, now holding a clipboard.
“Yes, nothing you need to worry about right now.” He moves so he is beside me with his arm still around my waist and leans down to kiss my temple.
“Oh, hello,” Sheriff Bennett greets as he boards the deck, just noticing me. I realize then what I must look like, my hand going up to my hair. It is all knots and tangles, and is probably sticking up everywhere.
“You're beautiful,” Justin whispers, reading my mind once again. “Ellie, this is my father, Ben Bennett.” The Sheriff doesn't offer to shake my hand, but nods politely.
“I hear you had quite the day, young lady,” he says,