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But when she opened it, the boys were already fast asleep in the twin beds, their faces angelic.
Foiled at every turn. She sighed as she closed the door on them. “All right, you win. He can stay.” In fact, now that she had calmed down a bit, she could see that Jorge might even be more protected here. Because if Archie was planning something, then the safest place her son could be was with big, strong Gideon. “I’ll head out now and be back early, before they wake up.”
But Gideon was shaking his head. “I don’t think you should go home by yourself. Not when you’ll be safer here too.”
“I really can’t.” Her mind worked to find a valid excuse. “I mean, I don’t have a change of clothes. Or even a toothbrush.”
Even as she spoke, her heart was urging, Stay.
“I’ve got an extra toothbrush,” he countered. “Brand new. And I can lend you a clean T-shirt until we get back to your place tomorrow morning.”
“You have all the answers, don’t you?”
He grinned. Gideon Jones actually grinned. With her. And without the boys nearby. It was amazing.
It might even be a miracle.
Plus, he was right that she would be safer here. She shuddered at the thought of Archie prowling around outside her cottage. What if he showed up tonight and she was alone? What would she do? What could she do?
The truth was she didn’t know exactly what Archie was capable of, or to what lengths he’d go to get what he wanted from her. All she knew was that he had a lot more money than she did. If it came to a fight in court, he might win. No matter what, she needed to keep her son out of a potentially ugly court case.
Then Gideon added one more inducement. “I’ll worry about both of you all night long if you go. Please stay.”
The wind went out of her remaining protests. Yes, she wanted to be independent, but she wasn’t stupid. And her heart squeezed tight at the thought of Gideon worrying about her.
“Okay,” she finally said. “I’ll stay the night. Thank you.” She held out her hand to shake his, as if they were making some sort of deal. As if they were business associates instead of—
She didn’t know what they were. Even friends didn’t seem quite right anymore.
When he took her hand in his, there was nothing even remotely businesslike in his touch. She felt the earth move, felt it shake, felt her world tilt. The way it had when she was dancing with him. And when he’d cupped her cheek only minutes before.
“You can have my bedroom,” he said in a low voice, “and I’ll sleep out here on the couch.”
“I can’t let you do that.” She fluttered a hand at the love seat, then raked her eyes over his long, tall, gorgeous frame. “There’s no way you’ll fit.”
“It’s a pull-out sofa. I’ll be fine.”
“I don’t mind taking the sofa.”
“Nope. Ari would read me the riot act if I didn’t treat you right.” He followed up his words with another smile.
She’d already been a goner before this. But when he was charming? And smiling? And touching her every five minutes?
No woman alive would stand a chance.
She held up her hands in surrender. “All right, I’m sold. I’ll take your bed. But I’m going to make you a really nice breakfast tomorrow in return.”
“Deal.”
Who would have guessed that tonight she’d be sleeping in Gideon’s bed?
The only thing better would be if he were sleeping in it with her.
Chapter Sixteen
Gideon handed Rosie a new toothbrush, then showed her where the extra pillows and blankets were. “If you need anything else, just tell me.”
“Thank you,” she said softly. “Not just for your bed tonight, but for listening. And not getting all judgy about any bad choices I might have made.”
