Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 33216 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 166(@200wpm)___ 133(@250wpm)___ 111(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33216 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 166(@200wpm)___ 133(@250wpm)___ 111(@300wpm)
“It will be easier.” Robin followed him out of her home, grabbing her keys just in case, and they walked to his house.
The kitchen was covered in a big, clear plastic sheet. Guilt hit her the moment she saw it.
Dylan didn’t say anything as he made his way up to his bedroom. Robin went into his sitting room and she picked up the dog bed and the toys. She didn’t want to leave anything behind.
Dylan took another couple of minutes, but he came downstairs with a suitcase.
“I can keep coming back if I need anything more.”
“I don’t mind.”
They left Dylan’s home and walked next door. Robin grabbed her key, opened her door, and invited him in.
Dylan stepped into the house and she chanced a glance up the street and frowned. There was a small group of people. She hadn’t noticed them before, and they were an odd combination, but they seemed to be high-fiving. Even from where her home was, they looked relieved. People were odd nowadays.
Closing the door, she flicked the lock into place and made her way into the living room to set up Buttercup’s bed. Dylan was standing by the door and he cleared his throat.
“Crap, right. I should really show you to your room, shouldn’t I?” she asked.
“That would be good, but don’t worry. I know I rate beneath the dog.”
“Good man.”
It felt so good to laugh and joke. She hadn’t done it in so long. Being around Dylan helped her to realize that not all men were like her ex. She couldn’t help but wonder if Dylan felt the same way about her—that not all women were like his ex. There were good and bad in all. She hoped she got the good category.
Pushing those thoughts out of her mind, she instead focused on making her way upstairs, trying not to think about the large, sexy man following her. It wasn’t the first time she imagined him taking her upstairs to the bedroom, where they would make use of the luxury sheets she’d splurged on.
It was crazy. Sex should be the last thing on her mind. Totally the last thing. There was no reason to even be thinking about sex or dicks, or sex.
What was wrong with her?
“Here you go,” she said, stepping into the spare bedroom. She had taken the room that overlooked the backyard.
This bedroom looked over the main house. The curtains were already drawn, as she tended to make the rounds at around five, even in the summertime. It was a habit she had gotten into, because she hated the dark. There was nothing worse than attempting to close the curtains with the fear of seeing something that could make you shit your pants. It’s why she stopped watching horror movies as an adult. It was already bad enough that she had a lot of fears. Those fears were often mocked by the ex.
Dylan whistled. “Nice room.”
“And now it’s yours. You don’t have an en suite. We have to share the main bathroom. I was looking at adding an en suite.” She rubbed at her temple. “I thought the house came with en suites, or they used to have them. I don’t know. I guess everyone has their own spin on what they want their house to be.”
“Has your place been bought a lot as well?” Dylan asked.
“Yeah, the previous owner said something. I’m not exactly sure. I think he said it’s a superb location and that previous owners had found their soulmate or partner or something. I don’t really remember. I’m not going to lie, I was in a grumpy mood. Divorced, somewhat angry with everything.” She took a deep breath. “It all added up and all I wanted to do was find a good place to live. This seemed to be it.”
“True.” Dylan put his suitcase on the bed. “You decorated the moment you moved in?”
“Pretty much. I didn’t have anything else to do, and I wanted to put my mark on the place. Make it my own. Ta-da.” She groaned. “I’m not bragging. I promise I’ll get your place fixed up.”
“It’s fine,” Dylan said. “Thank you for not making me stay in a hotel.”
“We’re friends, right?”
He nodded. “Yeah, I guess we are. I’ve never had a female friend.”
“And I’ve never had a male friend.” She held her hand out. “There’s always a first for everything.”
“You’re right.” He took her hand and she felt that instant hit of heat that rushed through her body. There was no denying it.
She pulled away and let out a little chuckle.
They could totally be friends.
****
Dylan had been married for five years and not once during that time did he wake up to the smell of eggs, bacon, and coffee. His stomach rumbled.
He wasn’t good at sleeping in new places. It was why he had spent most of his life avoiding hotels. What he didn’t want to do was live in a construction site, which is what his home felt like.