Slowly, I back toward the doorway.
“I’m putting him outside,” I tell Miles, holding up the spider. I don’t know if it’s more to show him or to protect me. “And then I’m going back to sleep.”
I pause. I don’t think it’s my imagination that Miles’s boxer briefs look tighter.
“I’ll see you in a few hours.”
“Good morning.”
I already know Miles will be in the kitchen.
I didn’t make it back to sleep. From the looks of it, neither did he. His lips have a distinct blue tinge. At least he has more clothes on, even if it is just a pair of obscenely low-slung pajamas and a T-shirt.
Once I get a coffee in me, I’ll be okay.
“Good morning,” I reply, as his eyes follow me to the coffee machine.
“Ruby—” Turning around, he pushes a full steaming mug toward me.
“Is that for me?”
“Yep. Milk and two sugars?—”
“You remember my coffee order?”
“I’ve watched you make it every morning for the past month, so I think I can manage to remember it.”
There’s a bite to his tone, and I know it has everything to do with the spider incident, because I feel it too. Like I’m teetering on a knife-edge. Racing heart, visions of his abs swim behind my eyes, and an undeniable ache sits low in my belly that forces me to press my thighs together.
Four weeks in and another God knows how many to go.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. How are you feeling after yesterday?”
Yesterday? Yesterday feels like a million years ago. But it’s also clear that we’re going to pretend this morning never happened. Fine by me. It’s easier anyway.
But I can play this game, and honestly, I’m thankful for it, because my response is the God's honest truth.
“Awesome. I’ve never experienced anything like it . . . the crowds, the speed of the match . . . And I’m so proud of Mav.”
Miles genuinely grins at that, because it’s true. Maverick had a great day yesterday. He was part of a winning team as Miles kept reminding me on the way home. The whole day might have gone by in a blur, and we drank a lot of champagne, but that’s one thing I didn’t forget. Because every time Miles told me, he’d finish the sentence with “and you’re part of my team, Ruby.”
But it's like I’m back in high school, the morning after kissing my first crush. Except I live with him, and this morning, I saw the very impressive outline of his dick.
“I thought we could go for a gentle ride today. The boys won’t be at the yard, but we can check the ponies over then head out.”He picks up his coffee, peering at me over the rim of the mug. “Unless you need more sleep.”
“Nope. I don’t need more sleep.” My eyes narrow. “Do you?”
He shakes his head. “I’m fine.”
“Okay then. Leave in twenty?”
“I’ll meet you by the car.”
“Great.”
Grabbing my coffee, I run back upstairs, putting some much-needed distance between us, and take a leaf out of Miles’s book by stepping into a cold shower.
