Distracted Read Online Free Page A

his living room a few
moments and watched her sleep. Honey blonde hair spilled out of her
ponytail and covered her face. He was tempted to brush it back.
     
    * * *
     
    Twenty minutes later, Erin woke up and realized she
had to pee. She sat up and immediately felt woozy. Whoa, she
thought, what have I done? No matter; her bladder was more
important. She walked slowly down the hall and opened every door
she came to. She found the bathroom on the fourth try. She
frantically pulled her shorts down and sat on the toilet. Relief
was immediate. She put her elbows on her knees and began rubbing
her eyes. They were filled with salt.
    “Could you hand me that towel?”
    Her head snapped up and she looked towards the
shower. Stephen Spence, half hidden behind a fogged glass door, had
turned off the water and noticed that his guest had found him once
more.
    She hid her face in her hands and muttered, “Good
lord.” She shook her head slightly then, reaching to her left,
picked up the towel he had asked for and proffered it in his
direction.
    “Thanks. ‘Preciate that.”
    He closed the shower door and turned away, whistling
“How Much Is That Doggie in the Window?”
    Erin peeked through her fingers and watched through
the foggy glass as he rubbed down with the towel, his back to her.
Despite her best intentions, she let her eyes slide down, taking in
the wet curls against his neck, the broad expanse of his back
tapering into a slim waist. A few seconds later, she was slipping
through the door but not before stealing one last peek at the man
in the shower. He finished drying off and wrapped the towel low
around his waist. As he stepped out of the shower, she quickly
closed the door and sprinted towards the living room.
    Spence didn’t bother dressing. He followed her into
the living room and collapsed into one of the large armchairs. He
exhaled loudly.
    “That’s a chore. You ever notice that taking a shower
is a lot like work?”
    Erin looked away.
    “No. I, um, generally take showers early. I find it
very refreshing.”
    “That so? I don’t generally get up early.”
    Erin laughed. Embarrassed, she attempted to act and
converse normally, though she still looked away. “Mr. Spence, I
apologize. I didn’t mean to intrude. I had to use the bathroom and
didn’t realize you were there also.”
    “Spence. Call me Spence.”
    “I don’t think I’ve gotten off on the right foot
here. I …” Erin trailed off. She stared out the sliding glass doors
at the back bay and licked her swollen lips. “If you want me to
leave, I understand. I’m sure I can find a hotel on the
island.”
    “Are you thirsty?”
    “What?”
    “Are you thirsty? You keep licking your lips like
you’re thirsty.”
    She bit her lower lip, confirming the fact that they
were still there although she still couldn’t feel them. Alcohol did
that to her. “I am. I could use some water.”
    He stood up, retied his towel, and walked into the
kitchen. Now she was looking.
    Erin heard ice clinking into a glass followed by a
stream of water. He brought her the glass and, as she reached for
it, sat down next to her. She downed it in several large gulps. He
watched as her throat jiggled. She lifted the glass to her forehead
and closed her eyes.
    “It’s so hot here. It feels like summer already.”
    Smiling, Spence took the glass from her.
    “Why don’t you lie down and relax. You got a little
burned out there. You may have sun stroke.”
    “Really? Is that serious?”
    “Can be. Some people die from it. You’re probably
just dehydrated.”
    Erin’s head swam. She closed her eyes and sank into
the cool, white sofa. Spence stood up and, after placing a pillow
under her head, went into his bedroom to dress.
     
    * * *
     
    Hours later, Erin woke up. For a moment she felt
lost. She blinked to clear her vision then sat up and straightened
her clothes. She heard music in the distance and followed it down
the hallway. She found him in his studio, standing at