Rose Read Online Free PDF Page B

dried blood and the scratches on her face for the first time. I want to lose it, but know now isn’t the time for questions. She needs heat and dry clothing. Everything else can wait.
    When I get into the car, I turn the heat on high before driving home at a much slower speed than my journey here. I keep stealing quick glances at the woman beside me. She appears to be asleep, but I still see her shiver every few minutes. What in the hell happened to her tonight? She shifts slightly, bringing her face more fully into view. There is dried blood at the corner of her mouth and one of her cheeks is scratched. She mentioned some men looking at her before our call had disconnected. Did one of them do that? My hands grip the wheel tighter at the thought. Rage fills me as I imagine some bastard putting his hands on her. I’ve never been a violent man, but maybe I’ve never had a reason to be before. Tonight, though, I know without a shadow of a doubt, that I’d rip anyone apart anyone who tried to hurt her.
    She looks confused for a moment when we arrive at my house, and I gently shake her awake. I help her from the car and place a hand around her waist to steady her as we walk slowly to the front door. We both blink when we enter the brightly lit foyer, adjusting to the glare after the dark interior of the car. I suck in a breath as I really look at her for the first time. “Christ!” I hiss. Clamping my jaw shut to keep from saying more, I lead her down the hallway and through my bedroom to the bathroom beyond. I pause before deciding that she’s in no condition to worry about modesty; not that she ever has with me in the past anyway.
    Rose keeps her head down as I tug the top she’s wearing over her head and try not to feel like a complete pervert at my body’s reaction to her lacy, black bra. Down boy, now’s not the time . The problem is my cock has never been particularly good at listening to me in situations that involve a scantily clad female. Her eyes follow my hands, and I pray she doesn’t notice the slight tremble in them as I move next to her feet. She places a hand on my shoulder without being asked and lifts a leg while I remove one shoe and then we repeat the process until the other is off.
    Then I attempt to carefully blank my mind as I reach for the button on her slacks and fumble to release it. When I lower the zipper next, it sounds so loud in the enclosed space I find myself flinching. “Holy shit,” I blurt out as she kicks her pants away from her ankles and stands before me in the matching black lace panties. I feel hot and cold all at once. Hell, I’m afraid for a moment I might actually pass out. I’m like a horny boy faced with his first nearly naked female body. Then I see her raw, bleeding knees and I feel like five kinds of bastard. I clear my throat, trying to keep my voice level as I ask, “Do you … um, want me to finish doing you?” Her eyes widen as she stares down at me. I wince as I realize my question may have been misconstrued. I begin to stutter out, “I—shit, not like sexually. I mean, not that I was thinking that, because that would make me an asshole. I’m talking about removing your clothes—getting you naked.” I slump forward, shutting my mouth before I can cram yet another foot into it.
    “I know what you were trying to say, Max,” she says lightly. Then I feel something—hands in the damp strands of my hair, stroking me. I allow my head to rest against her stomach as she continues to soothe me. I wrap my arms loosely around her hips and run a hand up and down her thigh, caressing her smooth skin. I’m not certain how long we remain in that position, both giving and receiving comfort before it hits me. She must still be freezing. I abruptly jerk back, breaking the contact between us.
    Getting to my feet, I say, “I’m sorry, honey, let’s get you in the shower.” I pull the door open and turn the dials. Within seconds, steam fills the bathroom. Going into my