Little Red by Trista Jaszczak Read Free Book Online Page A

white doused with shades of red and black here and there.
    I sigh when I see a whirlpool and a large shower.
    “Probably could use a hot bath,” she says.
    “And, this,” she tells me, bending into a small white cabinet.
    “Since Eli called and told me everything, I snuck it up here beforehand,” she explains
     as she pours me a rather large shot of whiskey
    “I don’t really drink,” I tell her as she offers up the shot glass to me
    “It’ll take the edge off.
    Relax; I know you’ve been through a lot.”
    I sigh.
    What have I got to lose? I give her a nod and take the glass which I down in one swallow.
    I make a sour face as the whiskey burns all the way down
    She smiles.
    “I’ll let you get showered.
    Help yourself to anything.
    The kitchen is downstairs and to the left.
    May I suggest one more drink before bed?”
    I laugh, feeling the effects of the warm, soothing liquid already.
    I feel a dizzying comfort deep in my brain as my tense body releases, starting with
     my shoulders.
    “Thank you for this.”
    She gives me a sweet smile and a nod.
    “I know how you feel right now.”
    As Maggie retreats, shutting the bathroom door behind her, I wiggle from Ethan’s jacket
     and tee shirt before slithering out of my jeans.
    I make the water as warm as I can as I stand and soak my body underneath it.
    I feel a loud moan escape past my lips.
    I find the nearest soaps and shampoos: a sweet, flowery smelling collection picked
     out by, my guess, Maggie.
    I lather the suds in my hair and rinse it, making sure to enjoy the hot water while
     I can.
    The light knock on the door jolts me back as I rinse the soap out of my hair and away
     from my eyes
    “Red?” I hear Ethan’s voice from just behind the door
    “Yeah,” I answer, cracking the shower door to peer through it.
    He’s already seen me; what harm can it do?
    “I just wanted to check on you,” he tells me, looking down
    It seems strange, seeing him hide his now blushing face.
    “I’m fine.
    The water just feels good.”
    “I can wait up for you,” he says in such a soft, husky voice that I have to fight
     myself not to jump out of the shower and follow him
    “It’s okay,” I tell him.
    “You have to be exhausted.
    I can’t keep you up any longer.”
    “I’ll tell you what,” he starts, “I’ll be downstairs in the living room.
    Down the steps and hang a right.”
    I nod.
    “Okay, but please don’t stay awake on my part if you’re tired.
    I’ll get out and if you’re asleep, I’ll go to sleep myself.”
    He gives me a slight nod and smile.
    “Maggie said you’re more than welcome to the bedroom.”
    “I really can’t thank you enough.”
    He cuts me off.
    “Don’t…It’s…” he stammers.
    “It’s nothing.” His bright gray eyes sparkle as his lips curl up in that fashion that
     seems to have developed a warm spot in my heart.
    “I’ll leave you be.”
    He slips out, closing the door behind him.
    I take a few more minutes to scrub the rest of my body and rinse the suds away before
     stepping out and taking a towel to myself
    I glance over at the shot glass and whiskey that Maggie has kindly left on the white
     cabinet just for me.
    I stare hard and think.
    What harm could one more do?
    I slip my bra on and Ethan’s tee shirt over that before pouring myself another drink
     just as she had.
    I open my mouth and dump the amber colored liquid in.
    I swallow, and once again the warmness travels down my throat and chest to settle
     in my belly.
    The warm, fuzzy feeling quickly hits my brain, and I feel myself relax again.
    It has been one hell of a night.
    I place the glass and bottle where she had it tucked away and stumble a moment as
     I slide into my underwear and jeans
    My legs feel unsteady and wobbly as I make my way quietly down the stairs.
    The lights have been turned off.
    Only a few candles and dim nightlights brighten the hallways.
    I hear some loud snores coming from a few rooms in the hallway that I creep