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Travis takes my plate, brushing my fingers with his, and my breath catches tight in my chest. But the moment is so brief I might have imagined it. I must have because it’s like it never happened a few seconds later.
He guides me to the laundry room, where he waits patiently for me to give him the clothes I need washed, and then starts it for me.
I’ve never had someone do that.
Care.
“It’ll be done in about twenty minutes.” He whistles. “It plays a stupid little jingle when it’s done so you know to change it over. These high-efficiency appliances are all like that. This one came with a sheep decal attached to the front of it.” He suddenly stops talking and runs a hand over the back of his neck. “C’mon, I’ll get you set up for bed.”
If he were anyone else, I’d say that Travis was nervous or rambling.
I follow him like a duckling back to the living room where a pillow and blanket sit jumbled together on the sofa.
Obviously, he was busy while I was in the shower.
“Thanks. This is gonna be perfect for the night.” I turn to smile at him, but his frown makes me falter. Oh crap, what have I done now?
“Brandi.I’msleeping on the couch.” He nods toward the hall. “You’re taking my bed. Don’t worry about the laundry. I’ll change it over. You get some rest. You’re gonna need it for tomorrow.”
“No, I’ll take the sofa.”
“Don’t argue. You’re taking the room.” He turns and fusses with the pillow and blanket.
I stand there, shifting my weight. “But you’re huge. I’ll fit better. I’m a lot smaller—”
Travis shakes his head. “I’m not having this argument with you. You’re not sleeping on my couch, Brandi.” He doesn’t look at me. “Go to bed.”
“Okay, thank you.” I know better than to argue, especially when things were going so well. “I’m a lot more tired than I thought I was. I’ll see you in the morning.” I hesitate for a second, but he doesn’t turn back. And like a scared little cat, I turn and flee up the stairs.
Away from him.
Away from the feelings I didn’t even know I had until tonight.
Away from the fact that if he encouraged me in the slightest, I’d be naked and in his arms.
I stare at my surroundings as I stand in the bedroom. Neat and tidy and masculine with a big bed in the middle looking way too inviting with the charcoal quilt that sits on the top. On the dresser, a small lamp is shining golden light into the room.
I don’t want to take his bed.
Don’t want to slide between sheets that he slept in.
Ones that smell like him.
What else am I supposed to do?
Sleep on the ground?
No, but I’m a hell of a lot more stubborn than he’s giving me credit for right now. I could go down and talk to him again. But that’s not a good idea when he isn’t even able to look me in the eye anymore. When he’s avoiding me, just because I was trying to be nice.
Besides, I wasn’t exaggerating when I told him I was tired. The exhaustion seeping into my body is bone-deep, weighing me down as I make my way to the bed.
I should know better than to try and sleep.
As soon as my eyes are closed, the nightmares come back all over again, dragging the monsters with him through the darkness all around me.
4
TRAVIS
