I leaned forward, placing my hands on my knees. “No, I haven’t sensed anything like that.”
She tapped her lips and glanced around the room. “I’m thinking of going back to stay at Gianna’s.”
“Why?” My voice definitely came out louder than I’d planned.
She hunched her shoulders before rolling them back with a sort of shudder. “What if it really was something? If so, I don’t want to sleep in that bed again tonight.”
“Listen, Nova, you don’t have anything to be worried about in this house. I’m here. I mean, we’re all here. If there’s anywhere you’re protected, it’s with three supes.”
What was I doing? Why did I care whether she slept under this roof or at her friends’ house?
“True,” Nova agreed with a nod. “Maybe it’s just anxiety.”
I stood and offered her my hand. “Then we’ll just have to do something fun to distract you.”
She tossed the afghan aside and took my hand. “Like what?”
Since it was daylight, I couldn’t leave the house, but we had plenty indoors to keep us occupied.
“How about a game? We have video games in the living room and board games in the basement.”
“Ah, the basement. I walked through the other day. I saw a bunch of musical instruments as well as things I know nothing about how to operate, like the heat and hot water systems. I quickly retreated upstairs.”
“I might be able to help with any questions.” I took her hand before leading her to the stairwell off the back of the kitchen. The touch of her skin on mine sent strange, warm tingles radiating inside me. I released my hold before we reached the final steps.
The basement was semi-finished in the main area with storage boxes and the washer and dryer. I had my drum set down here, Sebastian had his bass, and Lucas his guitar.
“Do you play any of these?” she asked.
“The drum set is mine. The three of us played together for a while, and we learned to play some rock songs, but we don’t do so that often anymore.”
“Do you play on your own?”
I grinned. “Not as much as I should.”
“You should,” she encouraged, touching my arm. “I have zero musical talent, but envy those who do.”
These days, I typically only played when I wanted to get out of my head. It was good for stress release. Ha, I should probably come down and pound on the drums to help deal with this strange attraction to Nova. I needed all the help I could get to get her out of my system.
I led her to one of the shelving units with the board games and puzzles. “Lady’s choice.”
She glanced at the stack. “How about Scrabble?”
When I carried the box upstairs, Sebastian piped up. “I want to play.”
“Me, too,” Lucas added. “But our way.”
“How’s that?” she added.
“Much more fun,” Lucas replied.
Sons of bitches. They were creeping in on my time with Nova.
Maybe that was for the better, though. Being alone with her last night had already stirred such a confusing reaction. Their presence might help keep me grounded—especially since they’d call me out if I started to make an ass out of myself.
“Instead of following boring rules,” I said, “We make up our own words and have to provide a convincing definition.”
“Ooh, that sounds fun,” Nova replied. “How do you figure out who wins?”
