For a moment, I catch a glimpse of yet another version of Rowan. Intense, possessive,dark.
But then he smiles, and it’s as if it never happened. “Don’t forget you’re helping me too.”
“I guess…” I trail off. Given the bombshell he just dropped on me, I’m starting to feel like this agreement is going to benefit me way more than it benefits him. Unless… “Rowan. Do you want something more in exchange?”
He cocks his head. “Like what?”
“I don’t know. Maybe you're expecting me to be your sex slave or something. It’s not like I have anything else to give.”
Amusement colors his features. “I just want to remind you that I’ve never had any problems getting women to sleep with me. Coercion’s not really my thing, unless you’re into that.”
“I am not into that.”
“Then maybe don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.”
I press my lips together. He’s right, of course. If he really wants to do this to help sell our dating act, why should I stop him? It must be worth it for him. For all I know, he’s losing a ton of customers.
Rowan bumps my knee with his. “You good?”
No. But I think it’s time I admit that Rowan’s not exactly who I thought he was.
I meet his gaze. “I owe you a thank-you.”
He smirks. “Finally.”
“This is extremely generous.” So generous that I know I’m going to do whatever I can to sell our act. I just have to make sure I don’t get myself in trouble in the process.
“Then it’s settled.” His gaze caresses my face before it drops to my empty bowl. “You should get some sleep.”
As if on cue, my mouth parts on a yawn. My eyelids feel like they’re made of concrete. That long nap did nothing for me. “I’m going to be out like a log tonight. Can you show me to my room?”
Rowan stands up and helps me to my feet. He doesn’t let go of my hand as he leads me down the hall, and I don’t let go of his.
Only because I’m tired.
Definitely not because there’s a tiny part of me that likes it.
I expect him to take me upstairs, but he doesn’t.
He stops in front of a door that can only be—
“You’ll sleep in my bedroom.”
The surge of adrenaline that follows his words wakes me right up. I tug my hand out of his. “Don’t tell me this is part of selling our fake relationship. No one’s going to be watching us inside your house.”
“The other bedrooms aren’t ready,” he says matter-of-factly. “When they are, you can take one of them. Don’t worry, I’ll sleep on the couch.”
Oh. My cheeks blister. I really need to stop jumping to conclusions while I’m around him. “You sure?”
“I’m sure.” He pushes the door open and reveals his king-sized bed. It looks brand-new, comfy, and inviting. My muscles ache, and I finally just…crash.
“Okay, thanks.”
“The bathroom is through here.” He gestures at a door to the left of the built-in closet.
I glance around the space, feeling like I’m intruding on his sanctuary. There aren’t many personal belongings—only his clothes peeking through the gap in the closet doors, a gym bag on the floor, and some knickknacks on the nightstand closest to me. The sheets are a dark gray and look freshly changed. Maybe he changed them while I was napping. The duffel bag of things I collected from my house is sitting in the corner.
“Thank you again. For everything.”
