Total pages in book: 141
Estimated words: 141428 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 707(@200wpm)___ 566(@250wpm)___ 471(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 141428 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 707(@200wpm)___ 566(@250wpm)___ 471(@300wpm)
“I’ll be fine.”
“Sleep with Devi. It okay. Devi won’t kick you. She don’t snore. Sleep with me.”
Hayes told himself that she didn’t know what she was saying. But, fuck, it was all too tempting to sleep with her. Shaking off that feeling, he got to work unpacking the car and putting her few belongings away with the other things he’d ordered for her. He’d bought them online and had them sent here.
He put some things in the wash and checked the food supplies. Whoever had lit the fire seemed to have stocked up the fridge with essentials. It was the one thing he hadn’t liked about living here on Sanctuary, the way everyone stuck their nose into his private life.
But now he felt grateful.
Walking back into the bedroom, he checked on her. She was dead to the world.
Fuck it.
He wasn’t going to fit on that sofa and the bed was huge. He’d sleep with her. At least for tonight.
As he climbed into bed, she stirred. He froze. Fuck, maybe getting into bed with her was a bad idea.
“Stay,” she told him. “If you want, I can sleep on the sofa. Then you can have the bed. I don’t need the bed. I’m much smaller than you.”
He knew he shouldn’t do it. But damned if he could stop himself. As she continued to ramble on about how she should sleep on the sofa, not him, he leaned over and pressed his lips to hers.
Fuck.
Her lips were so soft and plump. Delicious.
“What . . . what was that?” she asked, opening her eyes.
“Go to sleep,” he growled.
“Okay.” She closed her eyes and drifted back off.
But it was a long time before Hayes could get to sleep thanks to his raging hard-on.
39
Devi woke up feeling more rested than she had in years.
She’d been so warm and cozy through the night. It had been amazing. She glanced around, feeling disorientated for a moment, before she realized she was in Hayes’ cabin. In his bed.
Oh no.
She’d fallen asleep last night before she’d managed to convince him to sleep in the bed with her.
But had he slept in here? She seemed to recall waking up to him rubbing her back and telling her everything was all right.
Had she had a nightmare?
God. She couldn’t remember.
Her head thumping, she walked into the closet in search of her bags. They weren’t there, however some of her stuff was hanging up. Along with more women’s clothes.
Were they May’s? Did he still have her clothing in his closet?
Nausea filled her.
You shouldn’t be here.
Grabbing her old trackpants, she managed to awkwardly pull them on with one hand. Her arm was throbbing in time with her head. She needed some painkillers and maybe something to eat.
Walking out of the bedroom, she looked around but it wasn’t like there were many places for Hayes to hide. After using the bathroom and brushing her teeth, she stared at herself for a long moment in the mirror.
She was pale with dark marks under her eyes. Her hair was a mess. And then there was her cheek.
She thought about pulling off the bandage, but she was too much of a coward.
Later. She’d do it later.
Walking back out into the kitchen, she came to a stop as she saw a basket of goodies on the kitchen island. There was a card beside it with ‘Welcome’ written on the front.
Knowing she was being nosey but unable to stop herself, she opened it.
Shock filled her as she realized it was for her.
Dear Devi,
Welcome to Sanctuary Ranch.
We hope you love it here and if there’s anything you need we’re here for you!
The card was signed by all these names, most of whom she’d never heard of before. The basket was overflowing with goodies. She managed to take off the wrapping and searched through it.
There was a soft looking teddy bear with a T-shirt on that said Sanctuary Ranch. That was so cute! Packets of cookies and chocolate. An adult coloring book and pencils. A large puzzle and what looked to be a voucher for a beauty salon. And a candle that smelled like vanilla.
“Devi, what are you doing out of bed?” a voice demanded.
She let out a cry, jumping and banging her foot against the island.
“Ow, ow, ow!
“Shit!” Hayes said, rushing over to pick her up. He sat on the sofa with her on his lap and rubbed her toes. “Gonna invest in bubble wrap.”
“I don’t need bubble wrap. I just need you to not sneak up on me. For a big guy you move awfully quietly.”
“You shouldn’t even be out of bed. You should still be sleeping.”
“Need coffee and painkillers.”
“Next time you need something, call me,” he ordered. “I was just outside and your phone was on the bedside table.”
The guy was nuts. She wasn’t going to call him because she wanted some coffee or to pee.