DONOVAN (Book Three)

FOUR

"Oh damn," she clicks her tongue. "I don't know what to say about that."

I heard those college boys hollering about their drinks, then making whistling noises at me. I roll my eyes and groan in annoyance.

Those bloody bastards. I should file sexual harassment against them on a child even though I'm not, but the police won't know that.

Muahahahaha!

No, that will count as lying to the police, and I could get in trouble.

"How about this," Billie began. "Why not change your hairstyle that is more mature-like."

I thought my hair. "Well, I do need a trim." It's been a long time since I got my hair cut."

"Yeah, change is good. Get yourself a whole new makeover. I could ask Sam to help you out. I mean, no offense, Claire, I like the style, but you're in America."

I look down at my maxi dress and long sleeve with boots. I burrowed these from Thea's clothes that fit me because she claims they don't work for her anymore.

"You think these are old fashion?"

"Ask Sam, and he will give you a whole new makeover. If I remember, Lily's Dad is a makeup artist and can cut your hair free."

"I can ask Effie about her," another yell from the college boys asking for their beer. "I better go. These little boys want their bottle."

Billie laughs, and I smile at my joke, then head to the customers.

After a few more hours, and gained many tips. I said my goodbyes to Billie and Big Mac and took the bus home. To kill time, I listen to music. Effie offered Logan to pick me up, but I could handle going home by bus. I'm used to it in London. I arrived home after fifteen minutes; I walked the rest of the way.

In front of the house, I stop and look behind me. I can feel someone is following me from behind. I scan the street in the dark—nothing but the cold air and crickets singing. I grab my keys from my purse and quickly open the door. Once inside, I locked it breathing hard and clutching my beating heart. I peek my eyes through the peephole, scanning to find movement.

"Did he find me?" I whisper, panicking and scared out of my mind. I'm starting to get paranoid that Eddie has found me already. With money, he could see me quickly.

"Find who?"

I scream and jump around to find Donovan in front of me. My heart continues to beat faster than ever.

"Please, don't ever do that. My heart almost jumped out of me." I breathe, distraught and frantic, while I stare at him. "It's past twelve. Why are you still up?"

Oh great, I sound like my mother.

There were times I needed a midnight snack. My mother would find me eating from the fridge and scold me that I might ruin my appetite.

I love food. Who doesn't?

"Made some warm milk for Leo." He confesses not being affected by my motherly scolding.

I rub my face but snap my eyes open. "Leo? What's wrong with Leo?" I bolt upstairs and open our room to find Leo missing. Panic rushes through my body. I face Donovan. "Where's my son?"

He shushes me.

Did this prick shush me? I couldn't fight to argue with him as I followed him to his bedroom. He opens it, and with one lamp on, I find Leo sleeping soundly with his Hulk plushie he got from Disneyland. He was hugging the plush tightly.

I blew out a breath. I sat beside him on the bed, brushing his dark brown hair. I forgot Donovan followed me into the room.

"He's not wearing his alien nighties," I lift the blanket. "Before I left, he had on his Captain America."

"He woke up crying, having a nightmare, and wet the bed. I didn't want to wake the girls, so I had him wash and change into new pajamas. The little guy didn't want to sleep alone, so I took him to my room until you returned home."

What a considerate guy.

I look at my son with a despaired expression on my face. He hasn't gone the bed since we left London. Without me sleeping beside him, Leo was crying for me. I always stayed on Leo's side since I started working at the bar.

I sniffle.

Holding back my tears and covered my mouth to muffle the sounds.

"Claire, you okay?"

I quickly wipe my eyes and my nose. "Thank you for taking care of Leo while I work."

"No problem."

I look at my son. "I'll change the bed sheets and bring him back to our room." Before I leave, Donovan gently holds me back.

"You stay. I'll change the sheets."

"But, you must have been tired of caring for my son. I don't want to burden you with having him sleep in your room."

"It's no trouble." He states with a smile. "I'll change them and sleep there. In the meantime, you go change and sleep in my room with your son."

I said nothing and went to my bedroom, gathering my sleepwear. Change in the bathroom and wash up and brush my teeth. I undo my ponytail and glance at myself in the mirror, thinking of cutting them as suggested by Billie. With my hair down, I look like a little girl with these jugs like a woman. I shake my head and slap my face before heading out.

I return to Donovan's room and spot him pulling back the blanket. I bite my lower lips and rub my arm nervously. "Are you sure? I don't want-"

"Claire, it's fine." It briefly shocked me when he reached out, but I took a step backspace. Suddenly it was a reflex. I was waiting for Donovan to react, but when I looked up at him, his hand was at his side, and he smiled. "Go, get some sleep."

He left the room and closed the door.

I sigh.

I know I hurt him because of my scared reaction. I've seen it too often whenever Eddie struck me, but Donovan is not Eddie. I always told myself that. Not all men are like Eddie.

Don and his brothers are perfect examples of great men. Men who don't hurt the women they love because men's toiletries are organized, or the soup was too hot it burned his tongue, and he had to hit me for it.

Not these men.

I can see Effie, Thea, and their friend Lily are happily in love with their men. I witness their love for two months. And Don, he's a quiet guy among them. Despite the scars he has made him the bigger man, he's not scary.

I turned off the light, got into Don's bed, and pulled Leo into my arms as I rubbed his back. His bed smells like him. The smell of his alluring sweet cologne made my inside jitter.

I won't sleep if I keep smelling him all night. I hope my exotic dream of him will leave me alone just for tonight.