Goddammit. I can’tafford a distraction when she’s hurting—not when I’m supposed to be taking care of her.
I turn to grab the two pills and bottle of water from the tray and hand them to her.
“Take these. They’ll help with the pain.” I nod to her ankle.
“Thank you.” She takes the medicine and swallows it down. “Would you mind helping me to the living room? I’m a little tired, and I’d like to take a nap.”
“You’ll have one here.” I take the bottle from her and put it back on the tray. “My bed is far more comfortable. In fact, you sleep here tonight, and I’ll take the couch. It’ll be much easier to keep your ankle elevated.”
I won’t lie—I like seeing her here in my bed. Am I playing with fire? Probably.
Despite my decidedly pathetic attempts to keep her at arm’s length, I’m quickly becoming attached to Noelle, and it’s a scary concept. Hell, I haven’t so much as kissed a woman in ten years.At first, it was to avoid opening old wounds, but eventually, shutting myself off became second nature, and I’ve almost forgotten how to let someone in. Yet, with Noelle, every instinct to stay guarded has splintered, and I wonder if I’m as hardened as I thought.
She vehemently shakes her head. “No way I’m sleeping in your bed. You’d be too cramped on the couch. It’s practically a loveseat. Plus, I’d feel guilty kicking you out.”
“You’re not. I offered,” I remind her.
“You’re cranky enough as it is,” she says, lightly poking my chest. “I can only imagine you after a night spent on lumpy couch cushions.”
I playfully swat her hand away. “Well, I draw the line at sleeping in the barn, so what do you propose? You’re staying here and that’s final.”
Noelle twists a lock of hair around her finger, thinking for a beat before saying, “Simple. We’ll share.”
There’s no way I heard her right. “Come again?”
“There’s plenty of room for both of us, and enough pillows to make a barrier if you’re worried I’ll invade your space,” she says with a grin.
It’s a terrible idea. I should be finding ways to stop thinking about ravishing those pink, pouty lips or how she’d feel beneath my touch as I traced her every curve.
So why haven’t I told her no yet?
Because no matter how difficult it is to restrain myself, I can’t pass up the chance to be close to her, especially if it’s my only chance before she’s gone. And like she said, we’ll be on opposite sides of the bed with a pillow wall, so it’s totally innocent. Right?
“Fine, we’ll share the bed.” I keep my tone neutral. “But that means you’ll stay put and ask me to get anything you need. Your only job is to rest your ankle, got it?”
“I can live with that,” she says, smiling brightly.
Fuck, I’m in so much trouble.
Rockin’ Around The Kissmas Tree
When my eyes flutter open, the room is dark. Nothing but a sliver of light comes through the gap beneath the door. I check my phone to see it’s 7:17 p.m. and can’t believe I slept through the afternoon.
I sink deeper into the pillows, breathing in the familiar scent of musk and leather. Maybe I should be mortified that I’m in Shep’s bed, but I rather like it. I clench my thighs at the thought of having him beside me later tonight. We’re tiptoeing dangerously close to the edge of temptation, but that didn’t stop me from making the suggestion.
Somewhere between being cradled in his arms and him feeding me lunch, I concluded that our brewing attraction is mutual and couldn’t let the opportunity pass. Maybe it was Gemma teasing me about wanting Shep or knowing that he might have discovered my toys that gave me the courage to act. Regardless, it won’t deter me from seeing how this plays out.
However, I’ve got more pressing matters to address—like my ankle throbbing from rolling over in my sleep, my full bladder,and a warm bath calling my name. I’m tempted to call for Shep like I promised, but I decide against it. I’m already imposing. Besides, he’s probably in the barn checking on the animals or in his workshop.
Determined to do this on my own, I switch on the lamp and slowly swing my legs over the edge of the bed, pressing my palms into the mattress for support. I push to stand, a sharp cry escaping my lips as pain shoots through my ankle, and I sink onto the bed, leaning back on my hands with a groan.
Within seconds, hurried footsteps reach the door, and Shep bursts in, panic etched on his face as his eyes find me.
“What’s wrong?” He rushes to my side, his gaze sweeping me from head to toe. “Are you hurt?”
I shake my head. “I tried to stand so I could get to the bathroom to take a bath, but it was painful so I’m nervous to try and put pressure on my ankle again.”
He folds his arms across his chest, frowning. “You should’ve called for me.”
