Bad dreams, babe?Yeah, me too.
My eyes grow heavy once she settles down. Arms folded on my table, I drop my forehead, and for the first time in days, let myself crash.
The flush of the toilet jolts me awake. What the hell? Someone’s in my house? My phone says I’ve been out for hours—feels like minutes. Adrenaline surging, I bolt to my feet as I reach for my sidearm.
I freeze when Briana strolls into the room, wearing nothing but my T-shirt.
“Sorry.” She raises one brow at the pistol pointed at her chest. “Didn’t mean to wake you.”
“Wasn’t sleeping.” Weapon lowered, I snap on the safety while she smirks.
“Riiight. Snoring while wide awake. Totally a thing.”
“It is. Google it.” I haven’t smiled like this for so long, my face hurts.
“What time is it?” Her long stretch causes the hem of the borrowed top to lift high on her thighs.
I scoot my chair beneath the tabletop—mainly to hide the growing problem she precipitated.
“4 AM.” Somehow, my response sounded normal, not like a man possessed.
“Well, that sucks. Way too early.” As she frowns, Becca pads into the kitchen, tail wagging, clearly lobbying for breakfast.
“Sorry, girl.” Seeing me shake my head no, my dog flops down with a whine.
“Poor baby.” One rub behind the ears, and the pilot has a new best friend.
The seductress drops into the seat beside me, legs slowly crossing. “Wanna play Texas Hold ’em?” She knows exactly where playing cards would lead.
Resolve cracking, I adjust myself, shifting in my seat. “My poker face sucks wind.”
“Bet that’s a lie.” Her lips lift at the corners as her tongue flicks over the plump lower one.
It is, but I’m not about to admit it—not while her leg rubs my thigh.Clearing my throat, I click one of the emails highlighted in red. “Hunt says we may not get any hits off your sketch. Angle’s off.”
“Full-face might be harder.” Her hips sway as she saunters into the living room and returns holding her sketch pad. “I was up in a tree when I saw him.”
As she eases into the seat next to me, her teeth nibble the eraser. “You know what bugs me the most? My ex being in the woods. We haven’t spoken in months, so what the hell was he doing there?”
Any man would be a fool to let her go.“Has he tried to contact you recently?”
“Honestly? No idea. I blocked him right after the breakup.” Mouth pursed, she casts me a sideways glance. “I know what you’re thinking.”
“Go ahead. Give it a go.” My only thoughts are far too dirty for her to say out loud.
Instead of sexy talk, a long, frustrated hiss whooshes out her lungs. “I killed Brett because he bruised my fragile ego.”
“Ehhhhhh.” I let out a short nasal buzzer sound “Nope, you're way off. C’mere.”
She eyes me suspiciously. “Why?”
“Trust me.” My laptop closes with a soft click. Turning my chair to face her fully, I open my arms. “C'mon, do it.”
“I don’t need a pity hug.” Her defiant, delightful chin juts out.
“Didn’t say you did. Stop arguing.” A patient man, I tilt my head and step between her thighs.
Eyes narrowed, she takes a deep breath as I slide my palms to her hips, inhaling my tea tree shampoo along with her unique scent. When her long legs straddle mine, I pull her onto my lap.
