Page 55

WEST

There’s underwear piled on my dresser. Next to the pile of romance books she keeps buying from Books by the Sea. And that damn vibrator is in her bedside drawer because I saw her put it there.

My bedroom smells like her. Warm vanilla and something citrusy, sharp enough to make my throat tighten. I thought I was prepared for this. Hell, I told myself it was necessary. But nothing could’ve braced me for the way it feels to be invaded by Eden Fitzgerald.

She’s so damn messy. I stare at the clothes she threw on the bed as she disappeared into my bathroom in my robe, telling me that she’s sweaty and needs a shower. So right now she’s naked in there, singing a god awful song as the spray rains down on her body.

Naked.

That’s another thing I didn’t expect. That even though I’m pissed at this whole situation, my body seems to be quite enjoying it.

I rake a hand through my hair and drop onto the edge of the bed, the mattress dipping beneath my weight. I’m too tired for this. Too wired. Too aware of every splash of water behind that door.

She has no idea what she’s doing to me.

There’s a new photo on my nightstand. One of our wedding that I managed to mock up using AI from two separate photos of us. She’s actually smiling in it, which is weird, because I don’t remember her smiling at all during the actual ceremony. And I’m staring at her like she’s the moon and the fucking stars.

“I’m done,” Eden pushes open the bathroom door, steam escaping around her like she’s in some kind of dream sequence from a movie.

But it’s not the misty air that captures my attention. It’s the t-shirt she’s wearing.Mine. It’s light gray and worn so thin the print’s almost gone. And she has a fresh bandage on her hand.

“How’s the cut?” I ask her.

“Fine.” She glances at her hand. “No blood at all this time.”

“Glad to hear it. I’d hate for it to stain my t-shirt.”

She tips her head to the side. “I thought wearing it would be a nice touch. For Bennett.”

“He’s not here,” I point out.

“I’m practicing.” Eden shrugs. Her hair is damp, curling at the ends, and her skin looks flushed from the heat of the shower. “Are you annoyed with me?” she asks. “About having to move into your room?”

“No. I’m more annoyed with myself,” I tell her. “This is my fault, not yours.”

“You know, right now in Bennett’s universe we’re making rampant love. Making a baby,” she says, changing the subject in the most unexpected of ways. I’ll never understand how her brain works.

Still, it makes my body react like it’s on fire.

“We would?” I manage to get the words out.

She grins. “Iamovulating, remember?”

Jesus, she comes out with the most inappropriate things. “Are you?” I’ve been reduced to two word sentences now. I sit down heavily at the end of the bed, trying to get my thoughts straight.

She shakes her head. “No. Plus I have an IUD. Unfortunately, there’ll be no little Wests running around in the near future.” A smile pulls at her lips.

“Bennett will be devastated,” I murmur.

She lifts her arms up, twisting her hair into a bun with her good hand, using the elastic she has on her wrist to secure it. She seems completely oblivious that the hem of my t-shirt is barely covering her. I’m not oblivious, though.

I’m completely entranced.

“Eden,” I murmur.

Her gaze locks with mine.

“When you’re in my bedroom, you’re going to need to wear underwear. Cover every inch of you.”