Biting the corner of her lip, she surveyed each box, then said, “That one.” With purpose, she headed for it. “My small appliances are in it. I can unload the stuff here and—”
“How about I just carry it into the kitchen, since that’s where I assume the stuff will go?” Without waiting for an answer, he hefted the box into his arms. “You can grab the tool kit for me.”
Taking charge seemed easier than waiting for Glory to figure it out, so that’s what Kam did. She stuck close, following him as he went back to the living room to measure the size of the window, then back to the kitchen, where he cut the cardboard.
Every time he moved, he nearly bumped into her. He could tell she was nervous, and clearly, she had no idea how allthat body contact was getting to him. “Look.” He set everything aside and, giving into an urge, put his hands on her shoulders. “Why don’t you go have a shower, get changed, and get comfortable while I finish up here?”
The second he’d touched her, she went perfectly still. “You’re almost done, aren’t you?”
He made the concerted effort not to pull her closer. Not to look at her mouth. A deep quiet inhale helped. “I’m getting there. Once I get the cardboard tacked up, I’m going to move a few things in the garage, so I can park Addie’s car in there. I don’t trust lover boy not to come around and dick with it.”
“He’s your lover boy? Wow, you work fast.”
Grinning, Kam said, “Love your wit. I never realized you were so funny.”
“You bring out the irony in me.”
See, that made him lose the battle. Keeping it quick, he bent to press a kiss to her mouth, and before she could react, he said, “Don’t worry. I’ll be careful not to leave any visible nail holes around your window. And I won’t ding anything when I pull in the car. Once you’re done with your shower, you can show me the rest of the house and then we’ll turn in.”
She stepped out of reach. Color tinged her cheeks, but she kept her chin up. “The order of all that doesn’t work for me. Instead, why don’t you pull in the car, then put up the cardboard. When that’s done, we can check the rest of the house together, and then I’ll get ready for bed.”
“We need to talk, too.”
Her smile was faint, there and gone quickly. “In the morning. Tonight, I’m zoned.”
Yeah, she looked it. Again overstepping, he stroked a hand over her hair. “All right. Stay here and guard the window while I get the car in. Won’t take me a minute.”
“Guard it from what?”
“Bugs? Bats? Anything.”
Voice squeaking, she asked, “Bats?”
That made up his mind. “Window first, then.” While she protested, he quickly got the cardboard up, then sealed the edges with painter’s tape. It wouldn’t keep out an intruder, but it would keep out prying eyes and insects.
After he pulled in the car, he ensured that the garage window, and an exterior door, which led to the backyard, were also locked.
Within ten minutes, he was back. He found Glory wavering on her feet. “How many rooms are left?”
“My bedroom, the main bathroom, and the guest bedroom.”
One shower? That could be tricky, but he’d deal with it. “Okay, let’s do this.”
Her eyes flared comically.
“Don’t put ideas in my head, honey. I meant let’s finish checking out the house so you can get some sleep.”
She let out a breath. “You must be sleepy, too.”
“I’m beat.” But he’d leave his door open and listen for her annoying Romeo, just in case.
Her bedroom was nice. The bed and two nightstands were flanked by windows, both locked and covered with curtains. “I notice a neutral theme going on here.”
Fingers laced together, she looked around the room as if seeing it for the first time. “I’m a little afraid of color.”
“Yeah? Why’s that?”
“I’m not great at decorating and—”
