The summary is up, so only my first readers got the full suprise 😘

Gray could only see half her face and knew she was beautiful. Even her honesty about her drug use didn't change his opinion. She had gotten herself in trouble, but she had a quality that struck him. He didn't know what it was, but it made him feel like he could sit by her side all day.

"Are you close to your family?" She took the tea from him.

"That's a complicated answer." He turned for the plate of toast.

Monty had been in the kitchen with Ana. "What happened to you last night?"

Other than sore knuckles, he didn't have any evidence of his fight. Monty would worry about his reputation. He had changed since he sent Gray to protect Sofia. They had both changed. "It's a long story. Sorry for deserting you."

"Ted dropped us off. I take it she's still here. You don't drink tea."

Gray nodded, but refused to volunteer any information. He turned his attention to Ana.

Downstairs, he smiled at Katherine, as she said, "All families are complicated."

"Is yours?"

"Definitely. My father has a lover that no one knows about. My mother might know, but no one knows I know. It's weird. I've always liked her. I can't quite be mad at him for finding happiness. Meanwhile, my sister's fiance stood her up on her wedding day. I knew the groom was with his ex the night before and I almost let her marry him. I am just getting over that guilt two years later. Should I go on?"

"Don't feel guilty. You might have done the right thing."

"Maybe I would have if the jerk didn't call it off. Enough about me."

"You seem like you're feeling better."

"The food helped."

"Won't your sister or parents wonder about you?"

She shook her head. "I was heading out of town with the guy I was with."

"Not the one I hit?"

"No, the no-good cheating bastard."

"Touchy subject."

"It's still raw. The humiliation hurts."

"I'm going to make my breakfast."

Why were his insides tied in a knot? He just met her, and she had him off balance. Maybe he would feel better after his protein shake. When he checked on her again, she was asleep. Taking a chance he left to go pick up some things. His first stop was the Old Navy store. He had never been to one before. His eyes kept looking around as if he might know someone. He had dated a lot of women, an embarrassing amount. Why did he suddenly care about his dating history? Monty had tried to be an armchair psychiatrist. He didn't need a fake professional to tell him losing his fiancée caused him to avoid commitment with women.

He stared at a rack of shorts. Why were there so many sizes? A teenage girl grabbed a pair of extra small. Katherine's hips were slightly fuller although her waist was tiny. He picked two small pairs in black and gray. Then he chose three shirts. His tee looked like a dress on her, just as sexy as the tight dress she wore the night before. He added a pair of leggings to the pile. He stopped short. Underwear. Then he looked over his shoulder before he grabbed a pack of black thongs also in size small. When he turned for his getaway, he saw bras. One would have to be enough, but he picked up a three-pack of socks even though those sexy boots were her only shoes.

It wasn't until he was in the car that he breathed a sigh of relief. Grocery shopping was his scene. He often did the shopping although Monty had been enjoying home delivery. Gray didn't cook as well as the couple upstairs, but he got by in the kitchen. Women liked salad, so he focused on produce. He added a loaf of bread, tea bags, a dozen eggs, a bag of frozen peas, and a family pack of trimmed chicken breast. He also picked up some of the yogurt Sofia liked to eat. Maybe his guest wouldn't stay too long.

When he returned, she was still asleep. As he looked at her, he cursed himself for not buying women's shampoo. She probably had a load of cosmetics in her bag. If he knew the guy's name, he would drive over to the hotel and get her things.

He left the Old Navy bag so she would see it and refilled her water glass. Monty taught him the value of good hydration.

His fingers itched and so he gave in by gently touching her forehead. She reached up and put her hand on his. As if they had a mind of their own, his fingers looped around hers. A wave of serenity passed through him and he pulled back like it scorched him.

Her one eye opened, and he winced at her swollen face. Retreating he went to his grocery bags and put the food away, except the frozen peas. Those he brought to her to put on her face.

"How are you feeling?"

"I don't know. Too much is hurting to tell."

"I'll take your temperature."

Her eye followed him. "Do you have a kid?"

He looked at her with a knitted brow. "No. Why do you ask?"

"Isn't that for kids?"

He looked at the device in his hand and frowned. "I guess so. I borrowed it from my neighbors upstairs."

Neighbors was the last term he would use to describe the three most important people in his life, family, best friends, employer, sponsor.

With his focus on putting the probe in her ear, neither spoke. "Your fever broke."

She nodded. "I think I had it for a few days. I had been feeling like shit, but thought..."

"It was the drugs."

"Yeah. I'm not as bad as you think. I can easily give them up although weed is legal."

"Cigarettes are too, but they're bad for you."

She smirked. "Use that argument with the medical marijuana people."

Gray laughed. "It takes all kinds. Do you need to get up again? I, um, got you some clothes." He pushed the bag to her.

"Old Navy." She giggled.

"It was torture. I hope they fit."

She reached into the bag. "I'll Venmo you when I have a phone again."

"Do you need to cancel your credit card?"

She paused. "I, um, no."

Gray couldn't read her swollen face. "Who doesn't have credit cards?"

"I use Apple Pay."

"Seriously?" Monty had his phone set up, but Gray didn't like putting bank information on his phone. He could hear his father harping out warnings.

"I think I'll get up. If I'm not dizzy, I would like a shower. Do you have a brush or comb I can use?"

"I knew women needed more than what I thought of. I have an extra toothbrush."

She smiled, at least he thought she did. As she sat up, he hovered ready to help. "I feel better."

"Keep drinking." He grimaced remembering his illness from the safari camp.

"Are you in the medical field?"

He chuckled. "No, but I got very sick while on safari. Honestly, I thought I might die."

"Safari! Was it incredible?"

"I don't remember. I have traveled a lot."

"For fun or work?"

"Work mostly."

"What do you do?"

His profession wasn't a secret, but some women looked down on him. Suddenly he cared that she didn't. "I'm a chauffeur and bodyguard. I was working last night."

"I remember seeing gowns when I walked through the lobby. Your employer must be wealthy."

"Very. He used to travel a great deal, but he's slowed down some. I'm happy staying closer to home."

"How did he get home last night?"

"A friend."

"I hope I didn't get you fired."

He laughed. "Wealthy people aren't like that."

She cleared her throat. "I'm going to shower."

Gray watched as she gingerly stood. She took the bag with her, and he wondered where her home was. Did she have roommates looking for her? He fisted his hand, as he remembered she had planned to travel with some guy who didn't protect her from being pummeled. She could have had a brain injury and internal injuries. Any man that didn't protect a woman should lop off his dick. Gray would have protected Beth if he had been there.

He should leave, but he waited until he heard the water go on. Hopefully she wouldn't pass out. With the bag of peas, he walked to the freezer to refreeze them. He could start on lunch, but he would rather ask Katherine what she wanted.

A knock on the back door made him jump. Sofia stood on the other side with a big smile. "Do you have a girl down here?" She tried to look around him, but he blocked her view.

"Privacy. Shesh."

"Okay, okay. I'll go. We're going to visit the in-laws. Hopefully, we won't be gone long. Unless we stop to see my sister."

"Do you need me to drive?"

"We both know how. Have fun." She patted his cheek.

"Have fun." He replied to her retreating back.

He turned to hear his name. She stood barefoot and the shorts and tee he bought. "Do they fit?" Her legs were long, although she felt petite beside him.

"Fine. They're comfortable. My hair."

"Looks fine. I can go out again, if you give me a list."

She put her hand on her head and swayed slightly. He bridged the distance in two quick strides just as she fell forward in his arms. He lowered her to the floor and onto his lap then he put her head between her legs.

"I'm okay. Maybe I should have eaten more toast."

"Does your head hurt?" He pulled her against him so her head rested on his chest. She smelled of his soap and shampoo, but he wanted to bury his nose in her hair.

"No. I just felt dizzy. I think it was the hot shower and the need to eat."

"I'm worried you have a concussion."

"Isn't the treatment to rest?"

"I'll let you know after I google it."

He rubbed her back, and neither tried to move away. When the warm feeling traveled from his chest to his groin. He patted her back. "How do scramble eggs sound?"

"Perfect."

"Can you get up or should I lift you?"

"You couldn't."

With a chuckle, he got to his knees and planted his foot for leverage to stand. She giggled as he lifted her like a barbell and held her close for another moment before putting her on a stool in his kitchen.

She may have fainted but his equilibrium was out of whack. He needed to concentrate on eggs.

Thanks for voting ⭐️