Tessa’s face was priceless. Vida didn’t think the woman appreciated that she was standing and gawking at her. The woman’s face turned a dark red as she jumped up from the couch, pulling on her clothes.
“What the hell is she doing here?” she screamed at Colton.
“Don’t worry why she’s here. You need to get out, now.” Colton came further into the room and closed the door behind him. Vida jumped at the sound of the slamming door.
“I need to take a shower,” Vida said, moving towards the bathroom.
“You need to get out. Colton and I need to talk.” Tessa tried to regain control now that her clothes were back on her body.
“You have something to talk to me about, talk to me tomorrow at the shop,” Colton told the woman. Vida almost felt sorry for Tessa. Pulling her gown and robe out of the hall closet, she tried to ignore their voices as she went into the bathroom. The loud yells were smothered with the water as she turned on the shower.
Vida took her time showering, washing her hair, shaving her legs and then combing and braiding her hair. Dreading going back into the living room, she was relieved to find it empty. Putting her to-go box in the refrigerator, she carried her sheets and blankets to the couch. Pausing, she hurriedly flipped over the cushions then laid out the sheet on the couch and neatly made it up for the night.
The front door opened just as she finished with the couch and Vida saw him hesitate after it had closed. When his eyes then brushed over her body in the blue toweling robe and neatly braided hair, Vida’s stomach clenched at the look in his eyes.
“I’m sorry about that. I didn’t know she had a key. That won’t happen again.” Vida would take that bet. Tessa had been humiliated in front of Vida. No woman would risk that twice in a lifetime.
“It’s all right. I’m sure she was as embarrassed as I was,” Vida lied.
“That’s doubtful.” Vida saw the anger in his face, glad that it wasn’t directed towards her.
Running his hand through his hair, his frustrated sigh filled the silent room. “I’m going to bed. Need anything?” He paused before leaving, waiting for her reply.
“No thanks.” He gave a sharp nod at her reply.
Vida turned out the lights before lying down. She had actually slept better the last two weeks in his apartment than she had in a long time. Colton’s presence made her feel safer than she had felt in King’s guarded nightclub. Vida’s mind shied away from figuring out why, snuggling down into the warm blanket and letting the sound of the shower lull her to sleep.
Chapter 6
Vida woke with a start when Colton shook her shoulder.
“Shake that ass; we’re running late.” Vida sat up; looking out the window to see the sun was bright. Forgetting that she was only in her t-shirt, Vida jumped from the couch then, disoriented, she tripped over her backpack and fell against Colton before he could move out of her way. Putting her hands on his chest to regain her balance, Colton’s hands landed on her hips to steady her.
“You all right?” His voice sounded amused.
Vida nodded. “Sorry,” she mumbled, moving away towards the hall. She picked out clean clothes, went into the bathroom, and pulled on loose jeans and an oversized shirt. She hurriedly brushed out her hair before pulling it back.
She was in the kitchen eating her leftovers from Waffle House when Colton came into the kitchen. Giving her a sour look, he pulled out a box of cereal and made himself a bowl before joining her at the table.
Vida finished eating, licked off the last of the syrup from her lip and was rising from the table with her plate when Colton’s eyes caught hers. Vida froze, she had seen that look enough on the men’s faces in the front row to know exactly what it meant. Quickly averting her gaze, Vida washed her plate before putting it in the drainer to dry.
Gathering what she would need for the day, she put her recharged computer into her backpack while waiting for Colton to wash his bowl. Getting his keys, they went outside to the motorcycle. Vida ignored the tension-filled silence from Colton, grabbing his waist when he throttled the engine.
She had promises to keep and future plans that a man like Colton would derail. He obviously enjoyed a variety of women and Vida had no intentions of being just another piece of gum he chewed and discarded.
Sawyer, Vida and Callie had made promises to each other that they wouldn’t grow up to be like their mothers. Vida’s own mother would fall in love with any man who wanted her, making her false promises that were never kept. Each time Vida watched her mother sink further and further into depression, blaming herself because it never worked out.