Saved by the Cross (Cross 3)

6 - Pretty

Before Doyle stepped in the shower, she unclasped the cross and put it in the bag of clothes. A plastic store bag was her new luggage. The water cascaded over her, unlike the shower on the bus which trickled out of the narrow head. She picked up the black bottle and sniffed the shampoo. The masculine scent made her belly feel like she took a ride on a rollercoaster. Gingerly, she rubbed the shampoo through her hair. When she reached the back her scalp stung, but she wanted to get rid of the dried blood. Mick had pushed her, and she stupidly thought she loved him.

Doyle only used water on her face for a moment, because the stream hurt her swollen skin. Her face must look grotesque. Would she ever be pretty again? She picked up a piece of white soap to wash. Her belly felt as tender as her face. Anger pulsed in her head as she thought of the bastard kicking her. He should go to jail, but Doyle needed to protect the Kane family's reputation. Her mother would never forgive her if her drug use became public.

Hopefully, Gray would let her stay until her face healed. For a large man, he was incredibly gentle. The rollercoaster returned as she remembered his large soft hands.

The fluffy towel felt like home. When she looked in the plastic bag, the lore of clean clothes overruled Gray's lack of style. She had never been to an Old Navy store or worn shorts that cost fifteen dollars but the comfortable clothes were fine for recuperating.

As she joined Gray in the kitchen, she felt overheated. Hopefully, it was the hot shower, not her fever. Maybe she spread the gems that caused her headache to Mick. He deserved to get sick. She would like to bruise his balls the way his manager bruised her face.

The warmth caused her head to spin. She remembered standing asking for a brush, and then she came to, on the floor in Gray's powerful arms. Her heart sped up as she leaned against his chest. She wanted to wrap her arms around his neck and kiss him. Kiss him? He was a chauffeur and bodyguard. Kanes didn't kiss domestic help. It was a good thing she took the cross off and even better that she hadn't kissed Mick with it on. Stupid, stupid idea.

She felt tiny in his arms especially when he lifted her off the ground with ease. As she sat at the bar top counter, he pulled out a pan and carried eggs from the refrigerator. Doyle thought of her brother, an expert in the kitchen, but Gray looked comfortable too.

"Do you cook a lot?"

He chuckled. "No. I usually eat upstairs with my friends."

"Your friends live upstairs?"

"He's technically my employer, but they're my family."

"You are friends with your boss and you eat together?" At the same table. Amelia would have a heart condition if anyone on staff sat at the dining room table.

Gray laughed. "It's not like in the movies. We were roommates for years. He's my best friend, my brother."

"Was he in the Marines too?"

Gray laughed. "No, he was a whining rich boy, while I was fighting for the freedoms he took for granted."

"Oh." An uncomfortable wave went through her. Guilt.

"It's okay. I survived."

"Why did you join?"

His golden hazel eyes looked at her without disgust. "It seemed like a good option. I wasn't an outstanding student." He chuckled. "I hated to read and now I read for fun."

"I wasn't good at school. The only classes I liked were art classes. If not for my brother's help I might not have graduated."

He smirked. "Did you cheat?"