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“Okay. If you don’t mind. I really hate thunderstorms.”
“Any reason for it?”
“Yes.”
She didn’t elaborate and he didn’t pry.
Standing, he offered his hand. “Come on.”
Although he’d anticipated her rejecting his proffered assistance, she laid her cold hand in his. His heart pounded at the simple connection.
He hadn’t wanted to touch anyone in years. Until her. The fucking irony.
Pulling her to her feet, he led the way through the dark to the staircase. He’d gotten used to living in the murk, but she hadn’t. Even with him guiding her, she managed to trip and bump a side table. He had no idea how—it hadn’t even been anywhere nearby.
“You okay?”
Her unexpected laughter lapped at him like warm tropical waters. “Are you part cat? How do you see in this so well?”
“Habit.”
“I have terrible night vision. I once told my eye doctor I can’t see well in the dark. He said no one can see in the dark anyway. Guess he hadn’t met you.”
If she was chattering, she was feeling better.
He gave her what he hoped was a droll look. “No late-night parties for you then?”
“No. If I’m not in bed by ten, I’m cranky. You’re up late tonight.”
“Hard to sleep when a beautiful, uninvited guest starts screaming her head off.”
Her hand in his tightened. Shit. The beautiful had slipped out.
He missed his old self—when he could flirt and banter with women and they flirted right back. Now even an attempt made women uncomfortable. Why wouldn’t it? Half his face didn’t move.
In his bedroom, he released her hand and went to start the fire.
She sighed in relief as the warm, golden light filled the room, flames sparking and dancing across the shadows.
“I’m no longer sorry I woke you. This is really nice.” Addison sank to the plush rug in front of the fireplace.
The firelight turned her hair to molten copper. He wanted to bury his fingers in all that red and pull her mouth to his. Right. Like that was ever happening again. “Well… I’ll leave you to it then. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Wait.”
He didn’t know which one of them looked more shocked by her outburst. “What is it?”
Uncertainty wavered in her green eyes. “I don’t suppose you’d… consider staying? Just until the storm dies down?”
Thunder rumbled directly overhead.
A fucking warning.
Tell her you can’t.
Turn around and walk away.
But his tongue wouldn’t form the words, and his feet had fused to the ground. “I’ll stay.”
