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Vinny licked his lips slowly, holding my gaze long enough to wake that twisted knot of desire in my belly, then he breathed deeply and smirked because he knew. Of course he knew.
“Go away,” I growled.
“I have a feeling that’s actually the last thing you want me to do.”
I narrowed my eyes but he just held my gaze.
I could say the words, revoke his invitation inside my home, but he was right. That actually was the last thing I wanted to do.
He’d gotten under my skin.
I actually liked him. Like, as a person.
The horror.
After a moment of silent battle, he jerked his head toward the kitchen. “Get up. I got coffee and donuts.”
I frowned. “You don’t… wait. Do you eat donuts?”
His lip curled. “No, Jacqueline, I don’t eat donuts.” With that, he turned and disappeared down the hallway.
“Oh my god,” I groaned as I sank down into the bedding and cocooned myself in the sheets. Mortified didn’t even begin to cover it. Why didn’t it occur to me that he might still be here?
He caught me sniffing the sheets!
Ah!
Stupid girl!
I’d blame exhaustion and grief. I’d been running the shop six days a week, training with Vinny three nights a week, and with the holiday rush at the shop and the anniversary of Dad’s death…
I clearly wasn’t running on a full tank of gas.
With a huff, I pushed the covers back and climbed out of bed, pulling my robe tightly around my body as I strode from the room, but when my reflection in the mirror on top of Dad’s dresser caught my eye, I nearly stumbled.
Mother of God, why do you hate me?
I spun and looked at myself, frantically running my fingers through my matted hair as I shook my head. “Of all the cruel jokes,” I whispered, “I had to end up in bed with him for the first time looking like this?”
With a frustrated groan, I gave my reflection a look of pure disdain, then left the bedroom.
As I passed the other rooms on my way down the hall, I paused at the open doorway of my childhood room.
Vinny sat on the edge of my bed, leaned back on his hands, comfortable as could be as if he hadn’t just invaded a very sacred space.
And he looked damn fine doing it too.
He lifted his gaze and cocked one eyebrow. “This is more like what I was expecting.”
I scoffed. “Pink ruffles and Pierce The Veil posters?”
His smirk turned into a delicious grin. “It’s an intriguing dichotomy, I’ll admit.” He looked around and I crossed my arms over my chest, suddenly feeling more exposed than I’d been in his arms last night as I reminisced about my dad.
“Why didn’t you move back into this room?”
The question caught me off guard. I opened my mouth, then closed it, not really sure how to answer.
Vinny’s smile fell, then his brow furrowed as he pushed off my little twin bed and strode toward me. “Hey.” He pulled me into his arms and looked down into my eyes. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to dig.”
