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“I appreciate it.” He nods curtly, stepping back to leave, but holds my gaze.
The lack of sexual tension emanating from him has never felt so foreign. He wants me to bring it up. Though I don’t want to, I find the words traveling through my mouth.
“Ian, about last night...” I begin.
“I knew you wouldn’t stay.” His voice is blunt, holding no mercy. I’ve hurt him, but he knew what he was getting in to. “I didn’t even expect you to fall asleep in my arms. I wanted you to. I wanted to hold you all night and wake up to your sleepy smile on my chest. It was nice that you attempted, but you’re too much of a coward to wake up with me and talk about what happened.” I blink, feeling my neck pull back as his words hurt. Itriedto stay.
“Excuse me? Coward?” Stomping down the stairs, I pause until we’re at eye level.
“Yes. Only a coward would leave a warm, comfy bed and the arms of someone who cares about them.” My throat tightens as he lays out the truth. “God forbid you might have me wake up and ask for one more night.” He smirks, leaning forward, and I lose my breath. “Or, that it was good enough for you to wake upwantingmore.” At least his tone is making it easier to not be vulnerable.
“Ridiculous.” Just once, I’d like him to be wrong. “You think you know me so well.”
“You and your body.” His eyebrow quirks as he steps onto the first step, now gaining his dominant height back.
The door opens without a knock, as Savannah enters our stare-down. “Oh. Am I interrupting something?” She glances back and forth between our unreadable faces.
“No, Ian was just leaving.” I speak through gritted teeth.
“It sure looks like it.” Savannah’s eyes widen with amused wonder.
“I was.” He smiles, his eyes now roaming my body. “You know, I’ve been busy. I think I could use a little Vegas vacation myself.” He’s not serious. No fucking way.
“You’re not coming.” My voice grows louder than expected. “In fact, you should be working overtime on my aunt’s project to get everything done in time.” His jaw ticks, and I watch as his eyes grow hungry. Pride hits me, knowing my sass fueled it.
“If you haven’t noticed, Daisy Girl...” He plasters on a fake grin. “Rhett and I are handling things as best as we can, since Quinn has added a few more things to the list.”
“Savannah is going to be busy with her student’s audition and you don’t need to spend the evening listening to girl talk.”
“I’m sure you have one hell of a story to tell.” Ian raises an eyebrow as my heartbeat echoes in my ears.
“Not every moment needs to be broadcasted, Ian.” A flash of hope and appreciation blink back at me. Last night may have meant something to me, but it’ll be nothing more than a memory. Ian’s heart filled eyes shoot through my soul as I fight to hold composure.
“Okay, someone needs to start talking.” Savannah’s amused voice breaks the moment as she takes a step back.
“I slept with Ian.” I shrug. So much for not broadcasting. “He came over to get his sweatshirt back. No biggie.” I need to shut him down.
“Yeah, no big deal that all the forest animals now know my name,” he simply states, looking directly into my eyes. “Loud and clear as you screamed it last night––multiple times.”
“I still had enough energy to leave.” Even as I say the words, I grow nauseous with denial.
He turns to Savannah with a shrug and purses his lips. “She’s scared.” He calls me out.
I wish I wasn’t.
Ian opens the front door. “Have a fun trip, Emery. Please don’t forget my sweatshirt.”
“Oh, you’ll get it,” I call out, a little too dramatically. “Tightly around your neck,” I say as humor glints in his eyes.
“Just like your legs were. You kinky girl.” He winks, not missing a beat. “I love it.”
Savannah’s jaw would be hitting the floor if she wasn't so tall. Her eyes bug out, mimicking a cartoon character as she stares at me. “I thought you said calling out names was overrated.”
“Maybe it was warranted.” I step off the stairs, annoyed with myself.
“He must have really known what he was doing.” The giddiness from her voice is spilling into her smile.
“I’m not talking about this.”
