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Ido my best to concentrate on the scary-as-shit action on the screen rather than on the woman sitting next to me.Butevery timeIlean forward to grab another piece of pizza, my arm brushes her bare leg.Forsomeone like me, who has more half-naked women pressed up against him on any given day than 99.9 percent of the male population, it shouldn’t affect me.
Butevery slide of my arm over her smooth, warm skin has my pulse leaping in a way it definitely shouldn’t be.
Iforce myself to stop eating beforeI’mfull to avoid any more of those small touches that feel a little too good.
ButIdon’t stop myself from watching her out of the corner of my eye, loving the expressions that flitter across her face during every tense moment in the movie.
Aftera while, her eyelids droop.She’shad a long day, and she’s probably exhausted.Eventually, she slumps to the side, her head resting againstBeau’sshoulder.
“Youokay,ShaeBear?” he murmurs.
“Mm-hmm,” she hums, snuggling against him.Herbreaths grow deep and even as she falls asleep.Beaulooks at me across the top of her head and grins.
Ireturn the expression, but my ribs are tight around my lungs whenIturn my attention back to theTV.Thisisn’t the first time she’s fallen asleep againstBeau, andI’msure it won’t be the last.Itdoesn’t mean anything.Justlike it wouldn’t mean anything if she fell asleep against me.
Whywe continue to watch the scare-fest withoutShaeis beyond me.MaybeBeau’ssoaking in the feel of her nestled against him as much asIwould be.Maybewe’ve both gone too long without having her around to want to cut this first night short.
Butfifteen minutes later, when the evil nun has been vanquished—although with a very strong hint that she’s not gone for good—it’s time to get our girl to bed.
“I’llsee ifIcan move her without waking her up,”Beausays, shifting on the couch.
“I’lldo it,”Isuggest a little too quickly. “It’llbe easier for me to pick her up without jostling her.”
Istand, then stoop to slide one arm around her back and the other under her thighs.Shemurmurs but doesn’t wake as she curls into me, her cheek resting against my chest, her breath warming my skin through myT-shirt.Myjaw clenches asItry to ignore the smooth rise of her breasts above her tank top, which has pulled low enough for a hint of her lace bra to be visible.
Icarry her down the hall to her bedroom, nudging the door open with my elbow.JustbeforeIlay her down, her long lashes flutter open, and she looks up at me.
Hereyes are heavy-lidded, but her lips, those perfect, bow-shaped lips, curl in a sleepy smile. “Devon…”
“Yeah?”
Sheturns her head just enough to brush the faintest kiss against my chest. “Thankyou…” she mumbles before her eyelids drift closed again.
Myheart thuds a rapid beat against my ribcage. “Anytime,Bambi.”
ThenIcarefully place her on the bed, grab the blanket at the bottom, and pull it over her.Fora moment,Iwatch her sleep, studying her pretty face and the curves the blanket can’t hide.Thecurves that feel a little too good pressed against me.Justthe way they always have.
Iturn on my heel and stride out.
* * *
Standingin the kitchen,Iwatch asShaesettles herself at the table and boots up her new laptop.Theearly morning sun streams in the windows, highlighting the dark chocolate and red tones in her mahogany hair, which she’s pulled back into a ponytail.
Asshe’s done for as long asI’veknown her, she tucks one leg beneath her on the seat.
It’sher first morning with us, and while we suggested she take it easy and relax for a day or two, she wants to get a feel for the work she’ll be doing over the next couple of months.I’vealready given her the passwords for our email and social media accounts, so she’s logging on now to have a look at what she’ll be dealing with.
“Wantanother coffee?”Iask.
Shesmiles over at me, her dimples popping. “Hmm… more caffeine?Yes, please.”
Iget the coffee machine going as she turns her attention back to the laptop.
“Okay,” she says. “I’mgoing through your emails, and… wow, you have a lot of unread stuff.”
Ilaugh. “Yeah.Iwasn’t making it up.Neitherof us is good at keeping up with admin stuff.Youdon’t have to worry about not earning your keep.”
“Okay,I’llhave to figure out a system.”Shepicks up her pen and taps it against her mouth.Itry not to notice how soft, lush, and pink her lips are.Instead,Ifocus on making her coffee the way she likes it—sweet and creamy.
