Brody Read Free Page B

about before. I was happy to step in. It’s just money, and well, that could have been your life.”
    My words sent a light shining behind her eyes, another sparkle, except this time it wasn’t because of tears. A full smile graced her face, one that sent my heart soaring that I put it there.
    She reached into her shirt and when she pulled out several twenty dollar bills, I raised my hand in protest.
    “Keep it,” I said. She needed it more than I did.
    Nodding, she slipped the money back into her shirt. Setting her hands on her lap, she turned my way. “I want you to stop at the truck stop. I can sleep there.”
    “How about I do, but you sleep in the truck. I’ll pull some blankets and stay up here, and you can use my bed.”
    Her mouth parted and I realized exactly how forward that sounded. I’d broken ground, and now, I was stomping all over my work. I lifted my hands. “Nothing funny, I swear. You’ll have complete privacy. There’s a curtain separating here from the back and everything. You’ll know if someone tries to open it, too. The hooks creak like a bitch on the bar. Hell, I have a padlock too to keep it closed if you feel that’s necessary—”
    She laughed and the sound reminded me of wind chimes. She shook her head. “I think it’s okay to do without that last part and thank you.”
    In a few miles, I got us to a truck stop I’d frequented before. It was one of the nicer ones and actually had a nice little restaurant there. Perhaps Alex would like to get breakfast in the morning. Maybe I could get to know her a little better. She’d checked her watch several times during the drive, and the minute I parked, she was unbuckling herself.
    “I’m just going to go use the bathroom,” she said, opening the door.
    I unbuckled mine. “You actually don’t have to do that. I got a small one in the rig. I recommend it anyway. You never know the conditions of their bathroom and I always keep up on mine.”
    I was convincing her more for myself at this point. Images of earlier sent flashes in my mind. Her in the bathroom… on the floor and crying. I wanted to be able to keep an eye on her. She seemed like she needed me.
    Her gaze left me and went to the door handle in her hand and my heart thumped, bouncing around with unease.
    Please stay.
    The anxiety left instantly the moment she dropped her hand from the door. She nodded, standing when I did. I tried not to look too relieved that she decided not to go. I didn’t want her thinking I was weird for wanting her to stay.
    I led her back the few steps to the back of the rig. The bed was collapsible to make room for seating at my small table. I ate there and played cards sometimes. I lowered the bed for her, getting out fresh blankets from the above cubbyholes.
    She sat curtly on the edge of the bed, checking for springiness when she bounced on her heels, and the entire image peaked in cuteness. I handed her the blankets and she took them.
    “Bathroom is in there.” I pointed to the right at the door separating the back from the front of the rig. “It isn’t much. More like a port-a-potty with a sink to wash your face and brush your teeth, but it is clean, I assure you. I got a spare toothbrush in there, too. It’s unopened and there’s soap in the cabinet above the sink.”
    She nodded. Her eyes flashed away and she smoothed her hands across the bedding I gave her. I got to see another one of those smiles when she did.
    Brown eyes looked up at me from under dark eyelashes. A smile touched there with their soft creases, too. “Thanks, Brody. For everything.”
     
     

Chapter Four
     
    Alexa
     
    His sheets smelled like him; masculine with that something sweet.
    I pushed my cheek softly against the pillow, my nose, then my lips lightly next. Is this what it felt like to be close to him? The comfort and ease of him...
    I waited about an hour sleeping in his sheets, wrapped up in the scent of him. I told myself it was because I needed to be sure. I