AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“The dogs sleep in their crate.”
“But what if they have nightmares and want to sleep with you in the bed?”
“Ha.”
Turning my head, I look at the king bed in question.
Abel’s bed.
An unmistakable charge streaks through me at the idea of sleeping there. In the same sheets that are wrapped around his body every night.Doeshe sleep naked?
I am not going to survive this fake marriage if the answer to that question is yes. Because I dreamed of sleeping naked with him for years. First as a horny, sex-deprived teenager, and then as a horny, sex-deprived adult. Having guys like Brian around helps keep those fantasies at bay. Most of the time, anyway. He gets the job done, but he’s still not Abel.
Now that I’m actually here with Abel and his art and his perfect ass in my face, I’m not sure how I’m going to stop thinking about it.
Shaking my head, I murmur, “I can’t take it.” Both the bed and the idea of Abel being naked in it.
“Fine. But I’m not taking it either. So guess we’ll both be sleeping on sofas.”
I scoff. “I’m younger than you. Sleeping on a pull-out won’t hurt as much.”
“I’m four and a half years older than you, Jenny.” He smiles, and the feeling of sunrise spreads inside my chest. “And I’ve slept in worse places, believe me.”
“The insomnia’s not as bad anymore?”
Abel always had trouble sleeping, especially when we were younger. I remember getting up in the middle of the night to pee once and seeing a light on in the guest room at our house. Abel was in bed reading a book. It was four o’clock in the morning. I brought him a glass of water and a couple tablets of Tylenol PM I found in our medicine cabinet.
“One of the reasons I love my job,” Abel says. “I’m so tired at the end of the day I’m usually able to pass the fuck out, no problem.”
“Even on the pull-out?”
“Even on the pull-out. Closet is over there. Bathroom’s this way. Had everything cleaned today, by the way.”
I tuck my hair out of my face. I’m still getting used to these freaking bangs. They’re cute, but they’re in my eyes a lot. “Thank you.”
I draw up short when we get to the bathroom. It’skiller. There’s a huge shower encased in high glass walls with double shower heads. Brass light fixtures light the space, which has shiplap walls and two sleek vanities that are topped with black counters.
But it’s the freestanding brass tub, its fancy tap attached to the floor, that catches my attention. It’s set in front of a massive steel window that overlooks the marsh beyond the forest. No blinds or curtains to obstruct the view.
Granted, it looks like the only things that can see inside are the herons taking flight in the distance. But it still feels exposed.
It’s sexy, and I can’t help but wonder how many times Abel’s given those herons a show.
Trying to breathe my way through that thought, I clear my throat. “This is absolutely stunning. Everything about this house is stunning. Minus the fact that you only have one bed.”
“I like to keep things interesting.” He swipes his hand over one of the vanities. “Will this work?”
“Is there another bathroom up here, or will we... be sharing this one?”
He’s grinning again. “The studio has its own bathroom, yes.”
“Great. I’ll use that one.”
“Really, Jenny?” He sighs. “Please don’t make this a thing. I’ll be fine on the pull-out. If I’m not, I promise to let you know, all right?”
I rake my gaze up the length of his long legs. His broad, sculpted torso. There’s no way he’s going to be comfortable on a janky pull-out. But sounds like I have no choice in the matter.
“Fine. Hopefully this... thing”—I motion between us—“won’t have to last very long anyway.”
