Page 6

Thirty minutes later, after washing all the shit away from today, I walked out of the bathroom, changed into my night clothes, and saw him in bed, a book open.

Eddie was a smart man, him and my brother had gone to college together, even roomed together. Of course, I’ve known Eddie since we were all in high school and he was the big man on campus. Well, him and Peyton anyways. Football stars and everyone wanted a piece of them. Guess that didn’t change when they went to college.

But that lifestyle sure changed when they graduated. The wild, party style sex life wasn’t for them. I never got into it, didn’t care to hash that out with my brother.

“What are you thinking about?” he asked, laying his book down to watch me.

I was leaning against the doorframe, zoning out as I thought back on the past.

“Nothing of importance.” I walked around to the side of the bed and laid down, turning to face him. “What are you reading?”

“Shakespeare.”

I wrinkled my brows at him, making him laugh. “Really?”

“Yes ma’am. He’s got some really good stuff, you know.” He set the book down on the nightstand and laid down as well, facing me too.

“Sure you’re comfortable with me here?” I asked softly.

His hand reached out and brushed a lock of my wet hair back, a smile on his face.

“Why are you finding it so hard to believe that I would be okay?”

“Because of my size. I’m so far from the woman you are into.”

“You know that how? Because I parade them in front of you?”

I opened my mouth to speak, but then snapped it shut, because he was right. I didn’t really have a clue what he was into. Just what I really saw in high school.

“Aren’t you like all men who love thin women?”

He snorted as his hand landed on my arm, a look of disbelief on his face.

“Far from it. You can confirm with Peyton if you want, but for me, I love my women with a whole lot of curves. I was in college when my views changed. I was dumb, did a dare, and slept with a bigger woman. But what I realized was that I didn’t have to hold back with her. I wasn’t rough, but I did not have to worry about my size doing something to her. It’s been like that with any bigger woman. Which is why I prefer them any day of the week.”

My breath caught at that.

That was certainly the last thing I expected to hear from him. It also had my heart rate skyrocketing to something that wasn’t healthy. Only because it meant that my hopes could shoot up.

“Really?”

“Swear. So, think you need to keep asking me? Or should I tell you what my thoughts are right now?”

I twisted my lip as I stared into those eyes that I loved.

He groaned, his thumb reaching out to pull my lip out.

“Don’t do that, sweetheart, it’s going to make things a whole lot worse for me tonight. It’s bad enough I got this siren in my bed that I want but can’t touch.”

That was it.

I couldn’t hold it in.

My jaw fell in utter shock at that.

“What do you mean? You can touch.”

“I’m not worried about your brother, I’m worried about you.” I wanted to say something, but he pressed his thumb against my lips and shook his head. “You’ve had a rough day, you saw something you shouldn’t have, you got hurt beyond measure, and you walked out on your job. You did so much, the last thing we need to do is something that you might regret. Or might look back on and say that shouldn’t have happened given my state.”