Chapter 5: Ash

Once I heard the shower turn on, I collapsed on the couch with a groan. What is this girl's story, and why the hell does she make me feel this way? What the fuck am I doing? I mean, it doesn't help that she is just my type, gorgeous, and fully capable of taking care of herself from what I have seen. She has light brown hair that looks like it is just growing out good from being shaved. It's short and messy but looks fantastic on her. She has these eyes that are sort of grey but blue at the same time. I can't really talk about her physique because her clothes are so baggy, but if I had to guess, she is in great shape with toned muscles. She seems so innocent, but I know from the snide comments from Omar that she has probably been through a lot, but she seems to want to prove herself to me for some reason. Get it together Ash, Omar said she was only 19ish, and you are about to turn 29. I can't help but see some of myself reflected back at me when I look into her gorgeous eyes.

One thing is for sure, Lexa can handle a gun and shoot better than any 19-year-old I have ever met, and I'm sure she has other talents. I can't allow myself to get close to her or anyone. I know what happens if I do, and I can't take that again. I also know better than to trust anyone but myself, but I want to trust her for some reason. When she looked me in the eyes and said that she had my six and wouldn't let anything happen to me, God help me, I believed her. I need to find out more about her.

The sound of her clearing her throat brings me out of my head. I look up to see her standing in the doorway. She looks scared to death to move, but she looks damn impressive in my clothes. They fit her almost perfectly, and I can see I was right; she has an athletic tight toned muscular body under those baggy clothes. She finally moves and mumbles a thank you as she crosses the room to the bed. As she passes by me, I notice the scars across what I can see of her shoulders, a few on the backs of her upper arms and calves.

I quickly look away before she notices me staring at her. I tell her it is no problem and to let me know if she needs anything else. I hastily grab some clothes and head to the shower. I turn the cold water on and jump in. I need to cool down before showering. I can't help but wonder once again what her story is and where and how she got all those nasty scars.

By the time I shower and dress, Lexa is already fast asleep in my bed. She looks so peaceful and innocent. She is just so beautiful, and I have a strong urge to just climb in bed behind her and wrap her in my arms so that she knows she is safe with me. Instead, I shake that thought out of my head and plop on the couch before I do something stupid. What the fuck is wrong with me? Why does this girl make me care about what she thinks about me?