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What the hell is this woman doing to me?
“I’m going to fall asleep in this tub if I sit here any longer,” she says, bringing me out of my head.
Clearing my throat, I hope my voice doesn’t betray me. “Yeah, sure. Scoot up a little and I’ll grab some towels.”
She does as I request and I push myself up and step out onto the rug. Thankfully, the towel warmer is close by and I grab two over-sized ones, wrapping one around my waist before I walk back to Greer.
“Stand up,” I instruct, holding the towel out for her.
Without looking at me, she stands and I wrap her up, slipping an arm around her shoulders and another at her knees. When I lift her out of the tub, she doesn’t balk at the gesture, just wraps her arms around my neck and allows me to carry her across the hall.
“Get dressed and I’ll grab you a glass of water. Do you need anything else?”
Me. I want her to need me.
Her eyes meet mine and I see a swirl of emotions there, not being able to lock in on just one—exhaustion, need, worry, want. As much as I’d love nothing more than to spread her out on my bed and worship her body, I know this isn’t the time.
But soon.
“No,” she finally says, barely above a whisper.
With my back to her, I’m halfway out of the room when she adds, “Thank you, Mack. For everything.”
“Even though I don’t need or want a thank you, you’re welcome.”
“One last request,” she says, making me pause.
“Anything.”
“Can I sleep in your bed?”
Adjusting my towel to keep it from slipping down my hips, I turn to look at her. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
GREER
Mack droppedme off at work exactly seven hours after he picked me up, which made it feel like I’d never left. If it wasn’t for the lingering emotions from last night, I would think I dreamed it all up.
Mack picking me up.
The extra security at his house.
The thoughtfulness.
The bath.
The honest conversation.
Not one moment from last night felt fake, but this morning, everything seemed to shift back to business as usual. Mack was up before me and had made a simple breakfast. He had my first cup of coffee waiting on me. Black, just how I like it.
But unlike last night when he couldn’t seem to stop touching me, he’d found his boundaries again and seemed to be keeping his distance. I didn’t say anything, because honestly, I think I need it—some space to get my head on straight, time to remind myself that this is supposed to be a fake relationship with a mission and an expiration date.
Which brings me to my current task, finding a dress for the charity event tomorrow night—mine and Mack’s first public outing.
I have a couple of dresses in my closet at the apartment that would work. If I need one of them, I could swing by and grab it. But I really want something new, so I’m meeting up with Sophie at Neutral Grounds for coffee and then we’re walking around the corner to one of our favorite dress shops.
As I pull into the parking lot across from Jackson Square, I have my eyes open. Even though I’m in a public place, I can’t let my guard down.
