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“You ok, there, bud?” I peek over at him, and he’s wearing only blue boxer briefs. What happened to platonic and being just friends? I swear he did that just so that I would look over at him.
“Yeah, just need a good stretch after today.” He lies down next to me and sighs. I go back to pretending to be engrossed in my book.
“Mind if I read for a little while?”
“Not at all.” He turns off the lamp on his bedside table and rolls over. “Good night.”
“Night,” I say softly. I stare at his bare back, trying my hardest to resist the urge to reach out and touch him or press my body into his. He sighs and rolls over again. I can feel the warmth of his leg next to mine. He moved closer to me.
I turn the page in my book, trying desperately to concentrate. But who can concentrate on a book when lying in bed with a half-naked hot man? I deserve a reward for keeping my hands to myself.
Finally, I’m ready to give up on reading. I close the book and set it on the table next to my side of the bed. I switch off the lamp and snuggle into the covers, scooching a hair closer to Travis so my leg is touching his. He doesn’t move. And it’s not because he’s asleep yet.
18
TRAVIS
Heck. How am I supposed to sleep with this gorgeous woman in bed next to me? What was I thinking, sleeping in this bed with her? I should have taken the couch. She’s just so hard to resist.
That kiss this afternoon ignited a fire in me that just won’t go out. It was amazing. When my lips touched hers–I haven’t felt feelings like that since…I don’t know when. I want more. Why does she have to be Ryder’s little sister? Why can’t Ryder’s little sister look like him? Then, I wouldn’t be attracted to her. I may not have agreed if he had told me how beautiful his sister was before he sent her here.
Her leg brushes up against mine. A million little sparks fly through me. Why didn’t I wear pants and a long-sleeved shirt? Getting into bed with just my boxers was a bad idea. I must be a masochist. My level of restraint deserves a medal. I want so badly to scoop her up and resume where we left off before dinner.
It was so hard to tell her we needed to remain friends. I could see the disappointment wash over her, which broke my heart. I want to see her happy. And safe.
I should move my leg away from her, but I don’t. I focus on my breathing. I really need to get some sleep. I’m just drifting off to sleep when Ava screams and jumps into my arms.
“Travis! Wake up! There’s somebody out there!”
I saw it, too. I whisk her out of bed. “Go into Mia’s room. Lock the door, then lock yourselves in her bathroom and call the police.”
“Ok,” she says, looking terrified.
I run through the house and out the front door. Kenny meets me on the porch.
“I heard it too. Someone is out there. Over there!” He points, and we see a shadowy figure running away.
“Stop right there, or I’ll shoot!” I scream as we run after the prowler.
“We’re armed and not afraid to protect ourselves!” Kenny yells after me.
I’m running toward the guy. I hope Kenny doesn’t start shooting. I don’t want to get shot tonight. I catch up to the guy and tackle him to the ground.
“Who the hell are you, and what are you doing here?” I yell as I turn him over and hold his hands behind his back. “Why are you on my property?” I yell again. I hear sirens in the distance. Then I notice the camera. “Are you taking pictures of my girl?” I smash the camera to pieces. “You sick creep! I saw you creeping around my bedroom window.”
“Let me go!” He kicks me in the back and gets an arm free to punch me, but he can’t knock me off him. “That’s my camera. You can’t destroy my personal property.”
“The hell I can!” I kick it away from him.
Kenny comes running up with some rope. I see he was lying about having the gun, which relieves me. I’m not trying to kill anyone tonight. Just protect my property and my family.
“Answer the question.” Kenny helps me pull the guy up and over to the porch. He tries to run away, but we’ve got a good hold on him. Not many men can match the strength of a ranch worker.
“Chad? Is that you?” Ava says from the front door.
“I thought I told you to stay locked in the bathroom with Mia?”
“I had to make sure you were ok. I heard the sirens and thought it would be safe. Mia is locked in there with Roberta.” She’s so hard to be mad at.
