Louisiana Sky (Love in Belle Pont #2) by Ashleigh Zavarelli Read Free Book Online

though, although she looked a little worse for wear. She had a couple of broken ribs and a real bruised up face, but the doctors said she was gonna’ be just fine. Robert had been arrested and charged, and now it was just another wait and see game like with Corey’s case.
    I could just imagine what the folks in town would be sayin’ about all this. First me, and then my mama. There’d be all kinds of speculation goin’ on I imagined, and I wasn’t real eager to get back to Bits N’ Bobs.
    “Darlin’ you should get on home,” Mama said in a raspy voice. “I’m gonna’ be just fine, and I know you’ve got a shop to run.”
    I frowned and shook my head, though I knew she was right. Bits N’ Bobs was only a small shop that carried an assortment of organic body products that I’d created myself. I did well enough to survive in Belle Pont, but not much else. And what little I did have in my savings, I didn’t like to touch, just in case.
    “We can come back this afternoon, Rox,” Bentley volunteered. “I’ll bring you back after you’ve gotten some sleep.”
    I glanced back at mama who was looking between me and Bentley with knowing eyes.
    “Go on.” She shooed me away with her hands. “I’m just gonna’ be sleepin’ anyway until these drugs wear off. I’m higher than a damn kite right now darlin’, and not much for conversation.”
    I patted her hand and leaned forward to kiss her on the cheek, smoothing her hair back.
    “Okay mama, if you need anything, just let me know. I’ll bring some of your stuff by later, okay?”
    She nodded and closed her eyes, looking like she was about to drift off to sleep again before she opened them again.
    “Bentley?” she rasped.
    “Yes?” he squeezed my hand in his.
    “Take care of my little girl okay? You don’t let that son of a bitch near her again.”
    Bentley smiled and I shook my head in embarrassment.
    “You have my word Miss Hart, he ain’t ever gonna’ touch Roxy again.”
    Mama nodded her head in satisfaction and drifted back to sleep.
    ***
    The ride out to Bentley’s house was quiet, but he kept holding my hand as we drove to let me know he was still there. It was a real sweet gesture, and admittedly I was too damn tired to fight my fears at that moment.
    I was used to being strong by now and dealin’ with things on my own, but it felt nice for a change that I didn’t have to. His strength and support was a breath of fresh air to me at a time when I needed it the most.
    I was dog tired when we walked inside his house, but he insisted I eat somethin’ and made me a bowl of soup. I managed to get some of it down before I started drifting off like a zombie.
    “I’ll show you to your room,” Bentley said as he put the dishes in the sink. “C’mon sweetheart, you need some sleep.”
    I nodded and he led me down the hallway to a room that was close to his. When he opened it, I was surprised to find it was decorated in soft feminine colors with new bedding and curtains.
    “I had my mama fix it up for you.” He shrugged. “I ain’t real good at pickin’ out chick stuff.”
    I chuckled and wrapped my arms around myself as tears sprang to my eyes. I didn’t know why, but I was just an emotional basket case and his kind gesture had tipped me over the edge.
    Without an ounce of shame I unbuttoned my jeans and shrugged them off while he was still standing there and climbed into the plush bedding.
    Bentley walked over and tucked me in like a child, smoothing my hair back and kissing me on the forehead. And then he made it as far as the doorway before I called him back.
    “Bentley?”
    “Yea?” he turned around, his eyes searching mine.
    “Will you just stay and… hold me?”
    It felt pathetic to ask such a thing, but I needed it right then.
    “Of course, sweetheart,” he answered softly. “Nothing would make me happier.”
    I nestled back into the covers and watched him shrug off his shoes and then move to the button of his jeans before