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“The best reason,” he agrees “So, about what I mentioned earlier”

I cross my arms and notice when his eyes drop to my chest They divert quickly, but it was there nonetheless That glance and the slight flare of his eyes “You were saying?” I hedge, even though I knohere this conversation is going

Colton clears his throat “Right So, uh, anyway, I want you to take my bed I’ll sleep on the couch I insist”

I stare across the kitchen at the man before me He’s tall, muscular, and has a body built for your wildest dreao, I’d have taken him up on his offer to take the bed, and ained my independence back This is my life, to live the way I see fit, and if that means I sleep on the hard floor with only a few blankets to pad me, then so be it I can do thisappreciated He’s clearly a gentleman, but I already know I have to turn him down

Sing over the lump in my throat, I shake my head “I appreciate the offer, Colton, but I can’t accept it I won’t I’ll be just fine until my bed comes”

“Hollis, I can’t let you sleep on the floor”

I take a step forward “Let me ask you this If I was ayour bed to ht I truly do appreciate it, but I’ll be okay I’ve slept on the floor before, and it’s only temporary”

He’s silent for a few seconds “I don’t like it”

Shrugging, I reply, “I guess it’s not really for you to like or dislike”

Those blue eyes watch ht, but please know the offer stands” Colton takes a step forward, al my personal space

Needing to break the tension, sexual and otherwise, I reach forward and slipit to hishis little Buddha belly “Thank you I do know the offer stands, and I appreciate it”

Colton exhales and looks like he wants to argue with lances down at the boy in his aret Milo here in his bathtub For so to the big wet spot on his chest I’ formula… or possibly spit-up Either way, I smile

“I’ on,” I tell hirasp, I throw his dad a wave and head to my door “Thank you for dinner Tell your lancing at him over my shoulder

“I’ll tell her,” he says with a srin

“Goodnight, Colton”

“Night, Hollis”

I shut the door behindthe lock into place I double-check the outside door as well, though I did that earlier Call it a habit, I guess Flipping open the notepad on the counter, I checkpurchases Curtains to cover the miniblinds on the s, a sh both may not fit I add waffle ain since I enjoy cooking I cross off las I picked up today at the secondhand store, and toss the list back onto the counter I have a long way to go before this place has that hoet there With each job I take, I’ll earn s on the list It’ll take time, but that’s okay The end result will be worth it

In the bathrooet ready for bed I pop out my contacts and place them carefully in the case I don’t have that many pairs left, so I need to be cautious with the ones I have After washing , I slip on warh ponytail, and return toand slip under the covers

It’s still early, and I’rabon I iet to the h the landing pages and ht, based on specifics the coood, I click through a few other pages, working on the text and adding buttons for socialfor spelling errors and oes live, I always send it to my client for a final set of eyes