AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Yeah?” I ask, raising my voice so they can hear me through the older wooden door. Judging by the age of the B&B and the historic feel to the decor, the door is more than likely solid wood.
“I come bearing gifts,” I hear Jay say as the handle begins to turn.
“Wait!” I scream and dart for the bathroom, slamming the door behind me.
“Did I catch you at a bad time?” His voice is muffled by the bathroom door as I hear him moving around the room.
Cracking the door open and peeking my head out, the strong aroma of coffee hits me. “Java Bean?” I ask when he looks in my direction.
“Are you naked?” His voice is low, almost a growl as he stares at me. The only parts of my body that are visible are my head and my shoulder, my hair falling in long waves, cascading over my shoulder as I use the door to shield the rest of my nakedness.
“I’m about to get in the shower. Why are you bringing me coffee so early? Don’t you like sleep?” My attempt to change the subject fails as his eyes bore into me from across the room.
“Are. You. Naked?”
“Of course I’m naked. I don’t shower in my clothes.” He takes a step toward the bathroom, but I stop him with the shake of my head. “Don’t. I’ll be out in a few minutes.”
“I’ve waited for you for seven years, Drea. I can wait a few more minutes.” His eyes never leave mine as he steps back, setting the tray of coffee on the table next to the bed.
“Oh yeah?” I laugh. “And what? I’m just going to throw myself at you after I shower? That doesn’t happen in real life, Jay.”
“No, but I’m guessing you didn’t bring any clothes in there with you since you weren’t expecting company.”
Shit.
Glaring at Jay for a long second before shutting and locking the bathroom door, I pull my hair into a tight bun on top of my head and step under the scalding spray. I’m still cursing him under my breath as I shut the water off and wrap a towel around my body.
True to his word, Jay is waiting for me when I walk back into the room. He looks relaxed sitting up on the bed with his back to the headboard. He’s staring down at his phone but looks up when I clear my throat.
“Gorgeous,” he states, tossing his phone aside and sliding off the bed.
“Stay where you are.” Holding out my hand in a stop motion, Jay stays seated on the edge of the bed while I stare him down. “I don’t remember you being this dangerous.”
“Tempting,” he counters.
“What?”
“I think you meant to say tempting. And yes, you do remember me being this tempting. In fact, I remember one incident in particular where I’m pretty sure you were caught drooling.”
Rolling my eyes at the memory, I don’t bother to reply. Instead, I grab clean clothes, careful to keep my towel wrapped around me as tight as possible, and head back into the still steamy bathroom to dress before I fall for Jay’s charm and throw myself at him. The idea has crossed my mind no less than a dozen times since I heard his voice on the other side of the door.
Especially after I got a good look at him. Dark wash jeans and a black button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He was fresh out of the shower, his hair still damp. The stubble that had graced his handsome face last night was gone.
Jay’s relaxing on my bed again when I emerge fully dressed and ready for the day. Black slacks. Black and white pinstriped blouse that dips low into a V. The same outfit I wore to my grandmother’s funeral last year.
Jay doesn’t seem disappointed in what he sees. There’s a smirk on his face that is attempting to melt my heart and almost does when his damn dimple makes an appearance. I keep my stance strong under his gaze, even when I feel the moisture beginning to pool in my panties.
“Ready?” he asks.
“For what?”
There are a few things I’m ready for. None of them are appropriate to share out loud. All of them would cause more problems. Only one would bring me temporary joy and relief. It wouldn’t last, though. The feeling would fade, and the guilt would creep back in.
“I brought breakfast so we could work on the profile. I figured I would offer my services since I know the case about as well as anyone except Spencer.”
Breakfast.That I can handle, right? It’s just food.
“Maybe I should ask Spence for help then.” Crossing my arms over my chest, I don’t miss the way his eyes flick to my low neckline before quickly returning to my face.
