Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 54343 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 272(@200wpm)___ 217(@250wpm)___ 181(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54343 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 272(@200wpm)___ 217(@250wpm)___ 181(@300wpm)
Rosa grimaced at herself in the mirror. Who was she kidding? She could get herself out of town by hitchhiking today. Street fascinated her. He was totally hot with those hard muscles and a handsome face, and he was a Daddy. “If only he was my Daddy,” popped into her mind, and she immediately pushed that ridiculous wish away. Sadness flooded her. Street deserved someone much better than her.
She dried her skin and wrapped her hair in the same towel, trying to leave the least impact on his home. She searched under the sink for some type of cleanser for the tub but couldn’t find anything. Using her shirt and a bit of shampoo, she started scrubbing. Thankfully, the traces of grime vanished quickly with some vigorous cleaning. Gathering her clothes, she headed for the bedroom he had given her to collect everything in her duffel.
She hesitated for a minute about what to do with Inky. Finally, she set him on the pillows where he could sleep and recover from his abdominal surgery. He really needed to take life easy for a while.
A flash of anger struck her when the memory blazed into her brain that the Ravagers had sliced her stuffie open and pulled out his fluff. She swore vengeance on the MC while realizing she was powerless to make them pay. Someday, if she could ever turn her life around, Rosa vowed to punish them for the terror they’d inflicted on her best friend.
With that promise made, she forced herself to leave the beautiful room, hesitating only when she spotted her tennis shoes. Street had to think she’d run away or slipped down the drain. Impetuously, she grabbed her stained footwear and the canvas duffel and added them to the pile in her hands.
“Hey, sorry I took so long,” she apologized as she hesitated at the kitchen doorway. “I hope you ate.”
“No problem, Rosa. I’m glad you enjoyed your shower. Let me throw these into the washer for you.” He looked at the pile and nodded. “Good idea. I can toss these sneakers and the bag in as well.”
“Hey. This shirt’s soaked? Did you forget and wear your clothes into the shower?” he teased, grinning at her.
Her heart had flip-flopped in her chest at his handsome face. That smile was dangerous. “I used that to tidy up my mess. You know, sop up the water,” she improvised.
“Little girls and guests don’t clean,” he said sternly.
Could she like his serious face even better? In the future, she guessed she’d fantasize that Street would actually care enough about her to be upset that she’d scrubbed the tub. When she didn’t answer, that strict look intensified.
“Just trying to help,” she said quickly. “I can put my clothes in.”
“I’ve already got my clothes in the tub. Do you care if our things commingle?”
“No. Of course not. That is if you don’t mind. Mine may need some intense cleaning.”
“Not a problem. I have some special detergent that gets out the grime from working in the warehouse. I can’t believe what I get into sometimes.” He plucked the clothes and shoes from her hands and carried them into a small room off the kitchen. Street returned a few minutes later and waved her toward the rear porch. “It’s nice outside. Go take a seat. I’ll grab the sandwiches.”
Letting herself out the door, she chose a chair at the table. Rosa smoothed his borrowed T-shirt over her thighs. Remember. He’s just being nice. He’s not your boyfriend. But he had shared his clothing with her.
To stop herself from reading something more than niceness into his actions, Rosa glanced around the table. Ice water sat at each spot. She grabbed a glass and almost drained the contents in one gulp.
“Good thing I brought the pitcher. I was thirsty. I figured you would be as well,” Street announced, joining her with a laden tray. When she pressed her hands on the table to stand, he added, “I’m good. Stay where you are.”
Soon, she had a huge sandwich in front of her along with cut-up veggies and ranch dressing for dip. “This looks amazing. I can’t eat all this. How about if I cut the sandwich in half? Then you can have the rest later.”
“Eat what you wish, Rosa. If you’d like to save some for later, we can definitely wrap your leftovers up when you’re full.”
Street took a huge bite out of his sandwich and waved it at her to encourage her to eat. Rosa picked up the sub and tried it. The bread was fresh and toasty, filled with meat, lettuce, pickles, and tomatoes. Rosa could have existed on this alone for a week. She made herself slow down and enjoy every flavor. Who knew when she’d have a treat like this again?
“Stop thinking. Just enjoy your meal, Little girl.”