I unfold the towel and wrap it around myself, but Zander doesn’t bother with a towel for himself. It makes me wonder if he takes care of his health. If he’s a transplant patient, he had better take good care of himself. Especially for the simple fact that he was lucky enough to get such a good heart. And I mean that both ways.
“Aren’t you going to dry off?”
“Come on. I have dry clothes you can borrow.” Zander turns away without answering my question.
What is this guy’s issue? So intense. Of course, he’s likely wondering the same damn thing about me. I can’t blame him either. I’m as screwed up and nuckin’ futs as they come.
I take a quick glance around, noting that there are two exits that I can see clearly from where I stand. There’s the one we came in from, and another set of sliding glass doors on the rear wall leading out to the other side of the balcony. Jake wouldn’t be too happy with me willingly following a stranger into his home. I know better. I know that something awful could happen, but somehow, I also know that it won’t. Somehow, the only awful thing I can imagine happening to me at Zander’s hands is being swept up into this man that beckons my mind and body so easily. I’d be swept up into him and I’d forget Jake. That’s something I could never forgive myself or Zander for. Resentment would rear its devious head like it always does where exes are concerned and implosion would be all but unavoidable. I can see it now.
Zander leads me into a room that is lit only by the sunlight pouring in through a wide set of three windows. They’re lined together, creating a panoramic view of the beach facing toward the lighthouse.
Opening the top drawer of a dresser, he produces a white t-shirt and a pair of black drawstring shorts. “Sorry, I don’t keep women’s clothes around,” he says dryly, handing me the outfit. “You can get dressed in here. I’ll change in the bathroom.” He motions towards another door right off the room and grabs dry clothes for himself, then leaves.
As soon as he shuts the door behind him, I peel off the soaked dress. My panties and bra are soaked, of course, and after a moment of hesitation, I peel those off too. I set the wet clothes in the towel on the floor, glancing back and forth to the door that Zander retreated behind. Once I have the soft cotton t-shirt on, I quickly pull on the shorts, which are about ten times too big. I tie the drawstring in a big bow to keep them in place on my hips.
I can hear water running in the bathroom. I assume he’s washing up, so I grab up the wet pile on the floor and leave the room, heading back out into Zander’s impressive living room.
I’m not sure what the hell I’m supposed to do with my dress, panties, and bra. He can’t see me like this. I’m so exposed. My nipples are peaked and pressing against the fabric of the t-shirt he gave me. I have no underwear on. This is just a bit much for me coupled with the odd, nearly inescapable attraction I feel toward him. I’ve got to go. I spot my flip flops by the sliding glass door and waste no time getting out of here.
I need a shower, some panties, and a fucking bra—like yesterday! A familiar voice on the line would help too. I don’t even know if I can see him again in the morning. I may not stay around here for a few extra days after all. The brash thought makes a tingle of achiness spring up through my heart. I don’t want to leave him. I don’t want to leave that heart residing in his chest. Not again. Not ever. Maybe there is a happy medium here. Maybe holding close to Zander means holding close to Jake too.
Chapter Six
Unspoiled Silence
Zander McBride
April 22, 2013
I had wiped down the counters in my kitchen about five times today. I’d already worked out. I stretched lazily and alternated between speed walking and light jogging on my treadmill for my normal three miles. I breezed through the squats, pushups, sit-ups, lunges, and planks. After I showered, I tried reading one of the books that Mom mailed me, but it wasn’t holding my interest the least little bit. She’d said I’d like it and was constantly asking when I would finally use the e-reader she’d bought for me. I never answered her about the e-reader, I just sent her a text saying, “thank you for the book” and went on ignoring the family back in Atlanta that I had made a point to forget. I wasn’t a part of their lives much anymore, only here and there where it was required, but other than that, I was left alone here in Tybee just like I wanted.