Free Bittersweet Deceit by Blakely Bennett Page B

than most.”
    “That’s a healthy attitude. You seem at ease with yourself. I’m definitely not there yet.”
    “You’re also not as far away as you think.”
    “Thanks for your vote of confidence.”
    “Anytime. Ready to try to sleep?” He stood already expecting my answer.
    “Yes. Stay, I ... I can’t thank you enough. How will I ever repay you?” I lay down and he pulled the sheet and blanket around me.
    “I have several things in mind, but you need to rest up first,” he said with his cheeky smile.
    I chuckled and tried not to show my real reaction. “Seriously, thank you for being such a good friend.”
    “You’re welcome. Where should I sleep?” he said, stepping away from the side of the bed.
    “The couch in the second bedroom becomes a bed. The sheets are in the closet.”
    “I could sleep in here with you, just in case you need me during the night.”
    “Tempting as it may be, I think it might be better if you take the couch.”
    “See, you do like me more than you let on.”
    “Good night Stayman.”
    “Good night , OCDC.”

CHAPTER SIX
Heal Over
by KT Tunstall
    T hursday morning showed up way too soon. The light coming in through the blinds quickly made me aware of a slight headache. I moved around in bed and felt relatively normal. Then I looked at the time. Shit! 10:35 a.m. In all that had happened the night before, I hadn’t set or charged my phone. I’d have to plug it in once I got to Bella Boutique.
    I stumbled to the bathroom, finding my land legs. After freshening up and taking two Tylenol tablets, I headed into the kitchen and almost collided with Stay. “Fuck, you scared the hell out of me!”
    Stay, in boxers and a white T-shirt , was scrambling eggs. “I thought you might be hungry after last night.”
    I stood there staring at him, trying to wrap my head around having him my apartment. Although thin, his legs and arms were far more defined than I imagined. Maybe he could have carried me , I thought. I also couldn’t help noticing that his bulge strained the opening on his shorts. Our group had gone skinny-dipping before, but I hadn’t taken notice of him then. It was hard not to while he occupied my kitchen. He needed to shave and it gave him a harder edged sexy appearance.
    “Are you okay?” he said, reaching out to touch my shoulder.
    “Oh, yeah ... just waking up. I came in here to start the coffee, but I can see you have it going already. Thanks. I’m starving.”
    “No problem. Do you mind if I cut up some of the cook ed chicken from the fridge and toss it in the eggs?”
    “Use whatever you’d like. ”
    “Wheat or raisin toast ?”
    “Ra isin,” I said, finally noticing the kitchen. “You cleaned up?”
    “Yeah, last night. I corked the red wine and put the bottles in the cabinet with the others.”
    “Thank you so much Stay, for taking care of me, cleaning up, and for feeding me too. I ... well ... I’m going to shower quickly and get dressed for work.” As I walked away, I thought, I need to get this man out of my home and fast or I’ll end up adopting him and having him live in my second bedroom.
    As I showered, I wonder ed if I would hear from Mason. He looked so hurt when he left. I hope I hadn’t screwed things up for us. His jealousy did something strange to me. Instead of angering me, it actually turned me on. We had never discussed exclusivity, but last night he had made it clear. I just wondered if he had the same expectations of himself.
    My hair would have to air dry, however, I took extra care with my makeup and it irritated me. You don’t care what Stay think s, I reminded myself.
    I quickly jetted across from the bathroom to my bedroom, and found my bed made and the evidence of last night gone. M aybe Cat was right and a man could be too nice. Of course I couldn’t ignore the fact that I told her that was ridiculous.
    I dressed in a more casual outfit of crisp, pressed, designer jeans and a nice, sheer blouse in the hue of blue that