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“This is your room,” she signed, letting confusion cross her face.
He shook his head and pointed to her. “It’s yours now.”
“Where will you sleep?”
He walked to her at that, placing her backpack on the bed. He cupped her face and she allowed him to do it, damn her. “I sleep with you,” he said without signing this time.
She closed her eyes and swallowed hard. He’d warned her he was coming for her again—mind, body, heart and soul she believed he’d said.
She was in so much trouble.
He released her. “Get a shower and I’ll bring you up some stew in a little while,” he signed.
She waited for him to leave and then went to the wall of windows at the far side of the room. Ava plugged in her earbuds and made sure they were charging. She wanted a shower so that’s what she did.
And the bathroom wasn’t quite as decadent as the one in Chicago but it was damn close. Huge sunken tub that looked like it could hold ten people. She bypassed the tub and opted for the shower. No rainwater feature to this bathroom but there were still four separate faucets pushing out hot water. It was delightful.
She was glad she’d brought her soap and hair stuff. She showered, washed her hair and got out in record time. She really didn’t want Cap to catch her naked. It would lead to other things and she didn’t know if she was ready for that yet. She dressed in another pair of joggers and a plain white t-shirt before drying her hair.
Ava walked out of the bathroom, and Cap had placed a dinner tray on the large dresser across from the bed. She walked over and took the bowl and spoon and went to sit in the leather chair that had been placed in front of the fireplace that dominated one of the walls.
The stew was delicious—beef stew if she had to guess. Of course, knowing how much Cap loved to hunt it could be deer stew. She finished the stew and put the bowl back on the tray before going to the window to look out over the tableau with the setting sun. It threw fire into the sky, highlighting the mountains that surrounded them.
She had so many questions for Cap but fatigue pulled at her. Ava pulled a small quilt off the bed and then rearranged the leather chair so she could look out of the window. She covered herself with the quilt and watched the day turn into night.
She felt Cap’s presence but ignored him. In the presence of her deafness her other senses had taken over and become stronger. She had also learned to trust her instincts and Caesar. With thoughts of her faithful dog she grew melancholy.
When could she regain the life she’d had before she met Cap? Before her dad had been murdered? Before she lost Olivia? It wasn’t possible. Life had thrown her an awful curveball and things would never be the same. There was no reason to mourn the life she’d had before. She was too busy trying to stay alive to wish for a past that could never be in the present.
Cap had apparently showered and was now building a fire in the enormous fireplace. She watched him work in the glass of the window. God he was a beautiful man. She loved to watch the flex and play of his muscles under his skin. He’d followed her lead on dressing, wearing jogging pants and a black t-shirt. His feet were bare.
Even the man’s feet were sexy. Gah! He’d hurt her so badly that she’d spent two years cursing his name. Now she was waxing poetic over his feet.
She was in so much trouble. She’d agreed to come to Chicago with him because if Cap knew one thing it was how to protect others. He’d been born to do just that and he did it well. She was so tired of being by herself and running, always waiting for the other shoe to drop.
But was she ready for everything he was offering her? Love?
And if she was honest, had she really ever stopped loving him? Sure she’d called him every name in the book, but had the fire he started inside her three years ago ever been fully banked?
No, it raged deep inside her just like the fire he’d built in the fireplace—hot, bright, warm.
God, she was so tired.
Cap tapped her on the shoulder, taking her out of her musings.
“Tired?” he signed.
She nodded and said nothing else. Maybe he’d leave her alone. But probably not.
He picked her up then and placed her in his lap, pushing her head onto his shoulder and running his hand down her cheek.
He was as warm as the embers behind them and before she knew it, she was dozing.
How long they stayed that way she didn’t know, but she woke up when he picked her up and got out of the chair. He took her to the bed and laid her gently down.
Their gazes met, and Ava swore she saw everything her heart desired in his eyes. He stared at her and she stared right back, watching the firelight play over his features. His eyes were dark pools she wanted to sink into. He lowered his head, and before she could think to say nay, he licked her lips, inviting her to open up.
She did, and he fell into her, tongue sweeping deep and driving her mad. She put her arms around his shoulders and pulled him down flush onto her body, feeling where his hardness met her softness.
