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No, it’s better to stay in here with her. My heart sinks a little when I consider how she’ll react once she’s awake, but I’ll deal with that when the time comes. I’m too damn tired and conflicted to care—and if she gives me shit, I’ll remind her it’s not my fault she can’t be trusted on her own.
All hint of desire is long gone by the time I’ve pulled on a pair of shorts and a T-shirt. I’m too busy resenting her for the pain in the ass she’s turned out to be.
I’m careful to keep plenty of space between us as I settle in on my customary side of the king-size bed. For her sake. Not for mine. I know better than to complicate things by laying a hand on her. She’s already trouble enough.
TEAGAN
My apartment was built in the ’80s, and the furnace hasn’t been updated in many years. It works, but not all the time, so I’m used to waking up in the middle of the night and freezing my ass off. I’m not used to waking up feeling warm, comfortable, and safe.
For some reason, that’s exactly how I feel right now. I don’t remember the last time I felt so cozy. Burying my face into the firm pillow, I’m ready to let sleep pull me under once more when I notice something is off. Although this is very comfortable, and I don’t want to wake up, this bed doesn’t feel like my own. It doesn’t smell like cheap laundry detergent or my brother’s cigarette stench. It smells… nice, clean, and so damn inviting.
“It’s time to wake up.” A low, rumbly voice meets my ear, pulling me from the place where sleep and wakefulness meet reality.
My eyes fly open, and I lift my head to find my face only inches away from Mason’s handsome face.
What the hell?
Sitting up quickly, I wrestle with the blanket wrapped around my body while trying my damnedest to remember how I ended up in his bed. Patting myself down, I realize I’m still completely dressed. Well, that’s a plus.
“You fell asleep on the couch. I carried you to the bed,” he answers the question in my head.
“Oh… thanks. And sorry for using you as a pillow.”
I’m not sure why he didn’t leave me on the couch, but I’m not mad about sleeping in his bed with him. Even though I still don’t really know much about him. Other than he has the most kissable-looking lips and deep green eyes, reminding me of an ocean during a storm.
“What time is it?” I ask while I watch him get out of bed.
“Almost eight. I’m surprised Nat hasn’t sent out a search party for me.”
“So what’s on the itinerary for today?”
Mason raises his eyebrow. “Work for me. Going back to your room for you.”
“How about you take today off?”
“I don’t take days off.”
I push the blanket off my body and let my legs dangle from the bed. “Yeah, I got that from our conversation yesterday, which is exactly why you should do it.”
“Mason!” Natalie’s voice booms through the door. “Are you alive?”
“Here comes the search party.” Mason walks toward the bedroom door, opening it before his sister kicks it down.
“Are you okay?” Natalie seems seriously worried. She looks past her brother, her gaze landing on me.
“Hi,” I greet awkwardly.
A huge smile spreads across her face. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt,” she says with a hint of sarcasm.
“You didn’t,” Mason declares. “We were—”
“Just getting up to get dressed to go out for breakfast,” I finish his sentence.
Natalie’s jaw literally drops. “Go out, as in outside the hotel?”
Mason shuts me down immediately. “No, we were not.”
“So you are scared,” I tease.
“I’m not scared,” he says, a little too defensively. Crossing his arms in front of his chest, he glares at me.
Mirroring his stance, I cross my arms over my chest. “Prove it. Let’s go get breakfast somewhere. I’m sure this hotel will survive without you for a few hours.”
“It sure would,” Natalie chimes in with excitement in her voice. “Nothing going on today. Take the day off.”
Mason shoots his sister a glare that would make a grown man quiver in his boots. Natalie, on the other hand, laughs.
“Seriously, Mason, when was the last time you even left the hotel?”
“There’s never a reason for me to leave.”
“Until today!” I exclaim.
“Good thing I brought you a fresh set of clothes.” Natalie points at the light pink dress hanging over the back of the couch.
Yes! Finally, something colorful.
With the biggest smile on my face, I grab the dress and scurry into Mason’s bathroom. I close and lock the door behind me, taking in the luxurious space. His bathroom is about the same size as my bedroom. Sleek matte tiles cover the walls, while textured tiles cover the floor. As I take a few steps, I realize they are heated as well. Fancy.
