Cinders by Asha King

Author:Asha King [King, Asha]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2014-07-23T16:00:00+00:00

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Gina soaked in the tub, sinking deep into the water and closing her eyes.

Brennen had brought her an oversized T-shirt and a pair of his boxers, set them on the counter, and then scooped up her clothes all while providing her privacy by not glancing her way. Which she was grateful for—she was mostly hidden in the deep water, her knees drawn up and arms crossed over her chest, but she didn’t need to. He was a perfect gentleman, careful not to push or hurt her.

She wasn’t sure what she’d been thinking, showing up at his place, but she couldn’t stay at home after dealing with Maureen. Couldn’t bear the thought of heading back upstairs to her room, where she’d lie awake thinking about everything she couldn’t do to stop the sale of the bakery. Couldn’t tolerate another minute of that life awaiting her at home and couldn’t stop thinking about everything she didn’t have, everything she wanted.

Gina had very little money—her stepmother basically saw to that—except for the bits she’d gathered up over the years when someone offered her a tip for delivery or didn’t want their change back at the store. She’d grabbed a ten, ran down the street for the downtown core where she found a payphone to call Midsummer’s only late night taxi service, and then directed the cab out of town. Her ten got her about half a mile from Brennen’s property, and she’d walked the rest of the way. Though she was accustomed to the exercise, her feet hurt and her body was exhausted.

Maureen would wonder where she went. Especially when she wasn’t there to open the shop in the morning. With the Prescott anniversary just two days away, she wouldn’t have been at the bakery for long during the day anyway, but her initial absence would definitely be noticed.

She shoved the thoughts away, though. She couldn’t dwell on what Maureen would or wouldn’t do—she’d come here to get away from the woman, after all.

At last she opened her eyes and sat up, pulled the stopper and climbed stiffly out of the tub as the water drained. She hadn’t heard Brennen elsewhere in the house—she didn’t think he’d have gone back to bed, but perhaps he had since she’d woken him up so early. Rain pattered hard against the small bathroom window and lightning lit the sky but thankfully the electricity had held. She toweled off, changed into the borrowed clothes, and padded barefoot out of the bathroom.

Brennen waited in the living room, leaning against the couch and facing the hallway where she walked. He offered a small smile. “Feel better?”

Gina nodded, a blush creeping up her cheeks again. She continued forward and Brennen stood straight, watching her with concern she wished she could alleviate.

“You can take my bed and I’ll take the couch,” he offered.

She’d already dragged him from sleep—she didn’t want to kick him out of his own room. “I’m fine, sleeping with you. I mean, if you are.”

He reached out and clasped her hand, his warm strong fingers squeezing hers gently and drawing her to him.

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