Her fingers fly up to pull on a tendril of hair, seeming to grow more agitated by the minute. “The next night I went to sleep again inmybed but woke up on a small, hard rock of a mattress, alone thankfully, but I was in your house again. The only explanation, other than you guys have been drugging me and kidnapping me to your house, is that I’ve been sleepwalking. So I’m going to see a doctor about it.”
Of everything I was expecting, that didn’t even come close to being on the list. Something between a dry laugh and a wheeze escapes me. “You are not sleepwalking into my house.”
Goldie’s arms drop to her sides, shoulder straightening. “So you are confessing to kidnapping me nightly, Tedford?”
I’d balk at the nickname if the other suggestion weren’t so heinous. “What? No.” I take a step back. “I mean you couldn’t be sleepwalking to my house. I keep the house locked up tight. Even my dumbass brother knows to keep it that way when he drops by. So unless you have lock picking skills when you are in REM, that doesn’t explain how you are breaking into my place.”
“I’m not breaking in,” she screeches, flapping her arms out. “I’m probably just stressed.”
“Oh yeah, it’s so hard being you with men drooling over you, at your beck and call every night.” Anger rises up into my chest like an expanding hot air balloon. Or is that jealousy?
Part of me knows I need to slow this down. Do I really believe she’s sleepwalking? Is she still trying to cover up being with JJ? If so, why is he denying it too? Why would either of them bother to lie?
But my brain is zooming past all that and focusing on all the male attention she gets and how it must tickle her to no end. She’s the male JJ. Looking for a fun time and getting it anytime she wants.
Something wiggles at my logic. Why would I care if she’s like that? She can do whatever and whoever she wants.
But part of my pride smarts. How many other doorsteps has she shown up on with a pink, heart-shaped cake and sprigs of lavender? Nobody could resist her charm, and she clearly reaps the benefits everywhere she goes. I knew better than to think it was some special gesture for me, but way way way deep down, some part of me wanted it to be.
No one had ever brought me a cake. The last person was my mom and she would buy them for my birthday.
All I got was my brothers’ troubles dumped on my doorstep. I couldn’t afford to accept any of those heart-shaped confections, or I might want more. I couldn’t afford to want more. She was better spreading her cheer around to other people.
But the idea of those fuckheads out there treating her like some carnival ride has my hands balling into fists.
Goldie pokes me in the chest. “Hey, your Tedliness, I didn’t ask for that. It’s not my fault the second I swear off men, they come at me in droves.” The corners of her lips pull down as she frowns deeply.
Something twists uncomfortably in my chest. It’s not just because she is warping my name into weird abominations. I don’t like that look on her. I prefer her smiling or sassy.
I point a finger at the door. “You are telling me, you don’t love those idiots bowing and scrapping before you?” The raging heat of jealousy and anger twist faster around each other in a spectacular spiral.
Goldie wrings her hands, her frown deepening. “I mean, I appreciate the tips since I’m fixing up my aunt’s house, but no, this is a lot, even for me. I’ve never had so many gifts or been asked out on so many dates in one week.” She shoots a nervous glance at the door, and I’m fucking done in.
“Listen—” she rushes on. “It’s not your problem. Like I said, I’m seeing a doctor tomorrow, so hopefully she’ll give me meds or something, so I stop. I swear, I don’t want to see inside your house—”
The idea snaps shut in my head before I barely knew it formed. The thing about me is once I make up my mind, there is no other option.
She turns to go, but I grab her arm. Faelords, touching her is unreal. It sends heat and electricity rioting through me every time.
“Make a deal with me. Promise not to see JJ, and I can help you with your problem.”
Goldie rolls her eyes. “I don’t want to fuck your brother, Tedson.”
“Stay away from my other brother too,” I add.
Goldie is practically vibrating now, cheeks flushed bright red. She steps in closer, holding up her hands. “Oh there’sanotherbrother? How could I possibly resist?” the words drip with sarcasm. “Please let me come roll around in your ratchet-ass beds with your giant-sized relatives. Oooh. How can I help myself?” An index finger with broken pink polish stabs into my sternum as she narrows her eyes. “You don’t need to worry, Ted-ileena, I will strap myself to the bed tonight to make sure I don’t end up anywhere near you again. I don’t want anything to do with your brothers or you. You are insufferable, and rude, and—”
My hands cover hers to stop that finger from poking me again.
“And I can help you with the fan club,” I say in a calmer voice, my resolve turning to steel no matter how ridiculous. I don’t let go of her hand, noting how soft it is in mine. Her fingers flex and her eyes round.
Then she jerks away, and I release her.
“I don’t need your help. I need a good night’s sleep in the same bed.” Her words are sharp as she turns to stalk away.
I catch her hand a second time, pull her closer, almost drawing her body up against mine. Her eyes widen as she tilts her head back to look at me. I feel her shallow pants across my face, and the tiny tastebuds on my tongue are all up and erect, trying to absorb as much of her scent/taste that I can. Knowing she isn’t seeing JJ eases the guilt I have at starting to stiffen under the belt yet again.
“Promise me.” The words come out in a low rumble as my gaze drops to her lips.
