Page 13 of Nothing to Hide

“So, are we okay with everything?”

“Oh.” Allie brought herself out of her daze. “Well, sort of.”

“I know.” He shook his head, looking perplexed. “I’m not straight on some of it, either. Where were you before you got into bed with me?”

“Bathroom. Why didn’t you say something?”

“I didn’t know you were there until the lightning showed you.”

She narrowed her eyes skeptically over her beer, which was already half-gone. “I climbed into bed with you, and you didn’t notice?”

“It was dark. The proverbial couldn’t-see-my-hand-in-front-of-my-face dark.”

“The mattress must have bounced.”

“I felt nothing.” He gestured toward her, up and down. “You’re a wee thing.”

Allie snorted. “Come on.”

“Okay.” Jonas pushed back his chair and stood. He narrowed his eyes, which made him look bad-boy fierce and even sexier. “You don’t believe me? Come on. We’ll reenact it.”

“No, no...”

“Look, my honor is on the line here.” He picked up the lamp and headed for the stairs.

Allie hesitated a moment, then left with the choice of being abandoned in a dark, unfamiliar room versus being upstairs in a bedroom with a god among men, she followed him.

She was not stupid.

“Lie down.” He set the lamp on the bedside table and pointed to the bed. “Here, where I was.”

“Fine.” Allie lay on the edge of the mattress.

“Now close your eyes. I’ll lie on the other side. Bear in mind I’ve got at least sixty pounds on you.”

“Okay.” She closed her eyes and waited. When he climbed on, the mattress tugged and dipped some, but nothing like the earthquake she’d expected.

“Anything?”

“Yes. But, okay, not that much.”

“If I was as light as you, and you were changing position at the same time, you might not feel anything.”

“Hmm.” She kept her eyes closed. “I guess I might not.”

“Come on, victory is mine. Admit it.”

She turned her head to scoff, trying not to let on that she was pretty fired up being this close to him. “I admit nothing.”

“Coward.”

“Okay, okay.” She held up her hands. “It’s plausible. I’ll give you that much.”

“I even said your name. Twice.”

“Oh.” Allie pointed to both sides of her head. “Earplugs.”

“Ah. That explains that. I thought about tapping you on the shoulder but I was afraid I’d give you a coronary.”

“You probably would have.”

“Good thing I didn’t.” He stretched out his arms, folded them behind his head and settled himself comfortably, closing his eyes. “So with that cleared up, you want to go to sleep?”

“What?”

“Why not?” He peeked at her, and then closed his eyes again, smiling faintly. “I like being in bed with you.”

Allie struggled up on her elbows, squinting down at him, grinning in spite of herself. “Oh, really.”

“Yeah. I mean it’s a little weird, since we don’t know each other, but look, we’ve got it all here. Excitement, drama, intrigue, possible conspiracy.” He turned to look up at her, stubble darkening his jaw and highlighting his cheekbones. “Everything.”

Allie’s smile faded. She swallowed awkwardly. Those eyes were dragging her into him. The attraction was so powerful she could barely maintain the contact. Her gaze flicked to his mouth before she could stop herself. A beautiful mouth, masculine and full. She’d like to—

“I was kidding. I’ll walk you back to the house.”

“Oh.” She jerked her gaze back to his. “Yes, sure. Thanks.”

He didn’t move, didn’t look away. “Okay, mostly kidding.”

Allie drew in a breath, face and body heating. “I see.”

“I can’t, though. Erik.”

Allie shook her head quickly. “I have no romantic feelings for Erik.”

“None?” His intense gaze got more intense. She had a crazy feeling he was pleased. Was that ego or real interest? Erik talked about Jonas as if he were a straight arrow, not a player by any means.

“No. He’s a great guy. But not for me.”

“He has feelings for you.”

She wanted to laugh. “He thinks he does.”

“Maybe. But he’s my brother.” Jonas sat up, clutched his chest and gazed off into the distance with comic gravity. “Therefore we must venture out. Together...but alone.”

Allie giggled. Erik hadn’t mentioned his brother had a playful side. “Yes, my liege. Through storm and peril we shall uh, whatever.”

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