Dane helped Blythe carry her suitcases up the private entrance and staircase leading to his home above Caffeinated. He had purchased the building about five years ago while he was still in the Air Force. He had leased out the ground floor to someone who had started a cafe and then renovated the top floor as a living quarters for himself.
Once inside, he locked the door and set the alarm. Blythe visibly relaxed once the alarm was armed. She ran a hand through her tangled mahogany brown locks before turning to Dane.
“Thank you for letting me stay with you. Once I speak to my boss in the morning, I’ll work out something with him so I can work remotely in Redding at my parent’s house,” Blythe said.
Her hands were shaking and clammy, and her color hadn’t fully returned. Dane wasn’t going to voice any of his concerns right now because she had been through enough for one evening. They could have a conversation in the morning when she wasn’t on edge, jumping over every little noise.
“Do you want to take a shower? Or a bath? I have a claw foot tub with your name on it.”
Blythe moaned softly. The sound sent a shiver of awareness down his spine. It wasn’t lost on Dane that Blythe had grown into a beautiful young woman. Her curvaceous form and lush breasts were every man’s fantasy.
Then there were her lips… they were full and perfect for kissing… Dane shook his head and cleared his throat. He needed to pull himself together and focus on keeping her safe, not her physical attributes and how he was aroused by them. She was Devon’s baby sister for heaven’s sake!
“Is that a yes?” Dane chuckled.
“I forgot you had a claw foot tub. I bet it’s heaven to soak in,” Blythe answered.
“The building is over a century old, I couldn’t restore the apartment and not include original historic details, like a claw foot tub.”
“I’m jealous. But if you’re offering, then a soak would be amazing. That had been my plan when I got home from work, but…” She let the thought drift unfinished between them.
Dane rubbed the back of his neck as the awkward silence stretched between them.
“The claw foot tub is in the master suite. Why don’t I draw you a bath while you pick a room, and grab what you need?”
Blythe shot him a shy smile. “You don’t mind me using your bathroom? Soaking in your tub?”
Desire flashed through his veins at the thought of Blythe naked in the tub. Water lapping against her flesh… Dane quickly shifted on his feet. Devon’s baby sister. He needed to remember Blythe was Devon’s baby sister. Although, she wasn’t a child anymore and that was his problem. She was all woman.
“Dane?”
“Hmm?”
“Do you mind?”
It took a few seconds for his brain to come back online because his other head had taken over.
“No. I don’t mind at all. I’m going to run the bath for you now, and then I’ll make us dinner.”
Dane made a hasty retreat to his master suite, leaving Blythe confused by his behavior. She chalked it up to the stress of the day coupled with her drama.
She sighed as she rolled one of her suitcases to the guest room closest to his. She would grab the other two bags after the bath. Right now, she wanted to grab her nightgown, robe, bath salts, and hair products so she could relax, or give the illusion of it.
Once she had gathered her things. Blythe crept cautiously to Dane’s room. As she opened the door, she was surprised to see the antique French provincial-style furniture paired with more modern Mid-Century pieces. He was so masculine, so to see his room with these more feminine touches was unexpected.
The color palette was a mix of grays and greens, which blended well with the dark chestnut stain of the furniture. Blythe was curious to know if he hired a decorator or designed the space himself.
She loved the twelve-foot ceilings throughout the space, and the large seven-foot tall windows were something only found on historic buildings. The original crown molding and trim work were exquisitely preserved, which meant Dane had taken painstaking measures to restore this space to its original glory.
Dane gave her a quick smile when he saw her in the doorframe.
“It’s all ready for you. I set the towel on the edge of the counter for you, as well as a washcloth, but if you need another towel or something, the linens are in the vanity drawer.”
Blythe nodded as Dane quickly moved for the exit and closed the door.
As soon as she heard the bedroom door close, she began undressing. She added the bath salts to the water and set up her shampoo and conditioner in a spot she could reach from the tub. Once things were in place, Blythe slipped into the water.
She closed her eyes and focused on clearing her mind. She was safe. She was with Dane, and tomorrow she would report Leo to the police. She knew she should have called the police tonight, but she couldn’t stay in her apartment for another minute. Besides, the police would take the report, charge Leo with violating the restraining orders, and then his lawyers would work out a fine.
Nothing ever happened to him. He was free to harass her in this cat-and-mouse game. She would go back into hiding, and he would seek her out all over again. No. Tonight she would enjoy this bath, enjoy Dane’s cooking and company, and be grateful she wasn’t alone.
