The officer removed a card from his pocket and handed it to her. “If you’re in need of further assistance while you’re in Fort Stockton, don’t hesitate to call on me. I wish you luck, ma’am.” He nodded at Chance and made his exit.
She closed the door and set the thermostat to cool the room down, then began removing her meager belongings from the boxes.
Chance said, “I’ll run down and get my stuff. Are you sure you’re okay with this, Lydia? I really don’t mind sleeping in the truck. I’ve slept worse places than that.”
“I insist. You’ll have a long drive tomorrow and I’d feel terrible knowing you’re down there trying to sleep in the heat with the bugs and the wind. I won’t rest, worrying about that.”
You’re kidding yourself if you think you’re going to get any sleep either way. On top of that, you’ll have to watch him drive away tomorrow. You lose either way, girl.
A little thrill shot through her when he kissed the top of her head, patted her hip, and then left the room. Smiling, she unpacked the rest of her things and placed the three cardboard boxes by the door to take out in the morning. She looked critically around the apartment and wondered what he thought when he saw how she lived. This was a far cry from the suburban neighborhood in San Angelo she’d grown up in and certainly not how she’d planned to be living by the age of twenty-eight, but she was determined to make some changes soon.
He returned, and holding up the hangers, he asked, “Where can I put these?”
She opened her small closet, and he hung them next to her clothing. Looking around the suddenly smaller room, Lydia smiled nervously and said, “If you don’t mind, I’m going to take a shower. It’s been a really long day. The remote for the television is sitting on top of it.” She gestured to the antiquated TV in the corner. “It’s old, but it works fairly well. Thank goodness it’s bolted to that table otherwise Mr. Cortez might have stolen it, too,” she added with a grin. “Make yourself at home, okay?”
“Actually, baby, I think I’m going to step out to give you a little more privacy and check in with Clayton,” he replied, removing his phone from his pocket.
How considerate of him. “All right. I won’t be long.”
He nodded and smiled at her, and she found herself wishing she could just stare into his bright-blue eyes.
He went to the door as she slipped into the small bathroom. Sighing quietly, she leaned against the door and imagined him standing there smiling at her. She was really smitten. There was no denying it. His words from earlier came back to her again, about coming all that way to see her. He hadn’t said anything else about it, but she hoped he would leave his phone number with her so after she left Fort Stockton they might stay in touch. Maybe someday she might find herself in Divine.
After turning on the shower, she stepped in once it was warm enough. She felt like a zombie and almost moaned loudly like one as the blessedly hot water poured over her head. She stayed under the hot spray for a long time, feeling the emotional strain of the day slip away.
It was encouraging to know that her only real financial setback to deal with was Gunther’s tires and the reason he wouldn’t start. She could handle that because the light was visible at the end of the tunnel. Chance’s visit made her feel more hopeful, too.
Wearily, she worked shampoo into her hair and scrubbed herself clean, used her razor, and then lathered a small dab of the lavender-perfumed body wash he’d given to her. As always, the scent was evocative, and she fantasized about him as she smoothed her hands over her breasts and down her torso. Before today she’d only ever conversed with him and given him a very platonic hug to thank him for the last gifts.
Now she had slightly more vivid memories of him to relive. As she slid her slick hands over her hips and thighs, then between her legs, she fantasized about the feel of his hands and his careful grip as he lifted her from the truck.
She reacted to the memory of his strong, gentle arms around her as she’d laid into her boss, the way he’d calmed her with his touch. Her response now was more substantial as a throb began in her pussy at the thought of those powerful arms wrapped around her bare body and him cupping her breasts in his hands.
Her nipples peaked tightly as she slid her slick fingers over them. Her cheeks filled with heat as she slid her hand down her abdomen one more time. She leaned against the wall of the shower and slowed the descent until two fingers rested above her damp lips. Leaning her temple against her forearm, Lydia took a deep, shuddering breath as she slid two fingers between her pussy lips and stroked her sensitive clit.