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“You’re safe now,” he says “That waste of fucking space isn’t coain”

“I know That’s why I caet away from him and everyone He knohere o He has a habit of just showing up wherever I aht now, the only person who knohere I am is you"

His mouth tips into a s spot”

I shake my head “No, I like that you’re here It feels safer”

He studies my mouth like he wants to kiss me, and I desperately wish that he would I know it bothers him that he’s so much older than me, but I honestly don’t see the problem I want him to want me, and I suspect that he does

“Just so you know,” I say, “I wasn’t flirting with you because I needed a place to stay”

His brow arches “Oh yeah?”

“I was flirting because, even though you’re a gruaze boring into me He’s so controlled, but little by little, I can sense his resolve slipping His hands curl into fists like he’s fighting to stop hi them I want him to use them on me

Eventually, his control wins out over his desire

Folding his arms across his chest, he takes a step back and clears this throat

“The bathroo,” he says

, definitively changing the subject “Where’d your dad keep his toolbox?”

“There’s a workshop out in the garage If you need any help fixing up the place, I’ve been told I’ood with a hammer”

Silas heads for the door Just when I think he’s chosen not to dignify my bad joke with a response, he fires back with, “When I find so, I’ll call you”

Chapter Seven