He was back to wanting me to eat again.
"But I'm not hungry. I just ate - "
"If you tell me you ate that damn peanut butter again I am going to throw it through a wall." He paused and took a deep breath. "Please, Blaire. Come eat something for me."
Like any woman on the planet would be able to turn that down. I nodded and headed for the stairs. I had a room to pick out.
The first room wasn't appealing. It had dark colors and the view was on the front yard. Not to mention it was closest to the stairs and the noise level from the parties would be hard to overlook. I went to the next room and the king size bed was covered in white ruffles and pretty pink pillows. A pink chandelier hung from the ceiling. It was very sweet. Not something I expected to find in Rush's house. Then again his mother lived here most of the time.
I opened the last door on the left. There were large windows that went from the floor to the ceiling and overlooked the ocean. It was gorgeous. The pale blue and green color scheme was accented with a king size bed that looked like it was made from driftwood. At least the headboard and footboard did. It had a very coastal feel. I liked it. No, scratch that. I loved it. I put my suitcase down and walked over to the door that led into a private bathroom. Large white fluffy towels and expensive soaps decorated the white marble. Splashes of blue and green were in the room but for the most part it was white.
The tub was a large round one with jets in it. Although I'd never seen one before I knew this was a Jacuzzi. Maybe I had come into the wrong room. Surely this one wasn't a guest bedroom. I'd want this room if I lived here.
Nevertheless, it was on the left side of the hallway. It had to be one of the rooms he'd mentioned. I walked back out of the bathroom. I'd go tell him I'd picked this room and if this one was wrong he'd tell me. I left my suitcase against the wall right inside the door and then headed back downstairs.
Rush was sitting at the table with a plate of bacon and some scrambled eggs when I walked back into the kitchen. His eyes immediately lifted to meet mine.
"Did you choose a room?" he asked.
I nodded and walked over to stand on the other side of the table. "Yes. I believe so. The one you said had a great view is it... green and blue?"
Rush smiled. "Yes it is."
"And you're okay with me staying in that room? It is really nice. I'd want that room if this were my house."
Rush's smile widened. "You haven't seen my room yet."
His must be even nicer. "Is your room on the same floor?"
Rush picked up a piece of bacon. "No, mine takes up the entire top floor."
"You mean all those windows? That's all one big room?" The top floor looked like it was made of glass from the outside. I always wondered if it was an illusion or if it was several rooms.
Rush nodded, "Yep."
I wanted to see his room. He wasn't offering so I didn't ask.
"Did you already put your things away?" he asked, then took a bite of his bacon.
"No, I wanted to check with you before I unpacked. I should probably just keep everything in the suitcase. By the end of this next week I'll be ready to move out. My tips at the club are good and I've saved most all of it."
Rush stopped chewing and his eyes turned hard as he glared at something outside. I followed his gaze; I saw nothing but the empty beach.
"You can stay as long as you want to, Blaire."
Since when? He'd told me I had a month. I didn't reply.
"Sit beside me and eat some of this bacon." He pulled out the chair beside his and I sat down without arguing. The bacon did smell good and I was ready for something other than peanut butter.
Rush moved his plate over to me. "Eat."
I picked up a piece of bacon and took a bite. It was crispy and greasy just the way I liked it. I finished the piece off and Rush nudged the plate at me again. "Eat another."
I fought back a giggle at his sudden need to feed me. What was wrong with him? I took another piece of bacon and ate it enjoying the taste.
"What are your plans for today?" Rush asked once I swallowed.
I shrugged. "I don't know yet. I thought I'd look for an apartment maybe."
Rush's jaw ticked and his body tensed up again. "Stop talking about moving out, okay? I don't want you moving until our parents get home. You need to talk to your dad before you run off and start living alone. It isn't exactly safe. You're too young."
This time I did laugh. He was being ridiculous. "I am not too young. What is it with you and my age? I am nineteen. I'm a big girl. I can live on my own safely. Besides, I can hit a moving target better than most police officers. My skills with a gun are pretty impressive. Stop with the unsafe and too young thing."
Rush cocked an eyebrow. "So you really do have a gun?"
I nodded.
"I thought Grant was just being funny. His sense of humor sucks sometimes."
"Nope. I pulled it on him when he surprised me my first night here."
Rush chuckled and leaned back in his chair crossing his arms over his broad chest. I forced myself to keep my eyes at his face and not look down.
"I'd have loved to have seen that."
I didn't respond. It had been a bad night for me. Rehashing it wasn't something I was up for today.
"I don't want you to stay here just because you're young. I get that you can take care of yourself or you at least think you can. I want you here because... I like having you here. Don't leave. Wait until your dad gets back. It sounds like you two are way overdue for a visit. Then you can decide what you want to do. For now, how about you go upstairs and unpack? Think of all the money you can save living here. When you do move out then you'll have a nice padded bank account."