Definitely stuck for the night. Sorry, bro. Storm’s not eased yet and it’s not safe to send out a crew to clear it.
Not that Brennan didn’t already suspect that. His boss had given him a heads-up earlier. He’d also confirmed only one location of a downed tree had been reported on AdamsRoad, which had reignited Brennan’s suspicions. If he wasn’t mistaken, his family seemed intent on him staying here with Evie. Did Lacey want him out here for more than just chauffeuring her friend? Was it possible she’d be happy if something happened between him and Evie?
“No miracles tonight.” He showed Evie Rowan’s text. “You’re stuck with me.”
Evie nodded slowly. “I’ll take the couch.”
“No, you won’t.”
“Brennan—”
“No.” He shook his head firmly. “Aside from the fact that would severely disappoint my mother, not to mention provoke her anger, I’m not kicking you out of your bed. I’m already invading your space.”
“But—”
“No buts. The couch will be fine.” He could sleep anywhere. A necessity in his line of work when he was sleeping in a dorm-type room with half a dozen or more men with varying degrees of snoring, groaning, or other sounds in their sleep. “Thank you, though. I appreciate it, but I’ll be fine.”
“Want to bet on that?”
Brennan blinked. There’d been a shift in her with the question, a slow smile spreading on her lips, but he couldn’t figure out exactly what that meant. “Bet? About?”
“I’ve slept on that couch. Or at least tried. It is not made to sleep on, especially for someone your height. I’ll bet you won’t make it through the night. More to the point, you really won’t sleep well.”
“If I can?” Considering she was going to be barely twenty feet away in the corner she’d blocked off with bookshelves and called her ‘bedroom’, he doubted the size of the couch would cause him a sleepless night. His fantasies, though? That was a different story.
“I’ll let you inspect the cabinandthe studio for fire hazards.”
He wasn’t usually a betting man, but that? That was tempting. On one condition. “Only if it includes you following instructions and having no veto rights on any of the things I tell you to fix.”
“Forget it.” Her head tilted, her expression thoughtful. “Unless…”
“Unless what?”
That feeling when the wave is coming and there’s nothing you can do to get out of its way? When you know it’s going to take you under? It was racing toward him faster than a firestorm in a tinder-dry forest with the wind at its back.
“Well, it might depend on what I would get if I win.”
“What do you want?” The words were out before he could think. The flush on her cheeks intrigued him. “Do you have something particular in mind?”
“I’m taking a life drawing class and there’s an assignment.” Evie paused for a moment before adding, “I need a model.”
“Life drawing as in…” Oh boy. Not what he was expecting.
“As in, I need to draw someone.”
“Naked?” Brennan swallowed. He slammed the door shut on the image of what might happen if she was naked too.
“No!” Evie buried her head in her hands. Her shoulders shook. From what, he couldn’t tell. Maybe laughter. What would it take to get her to laugh? He’d heard it before, but he’d never caused it. He wanted to cause it.
“No.” She lifted her head. “Shirtless would do it. I need to be able to see the muscles and structure. The shadows and valleys and… Never mind.” She rose and gathered the bowls.
“So.” Brennan grinned. “She does want me naked.” Oh hell! Where had those words come from? Not just thinking them, but that they actually made it out of his mouth around this woman?
Evie turned and glared at him. “I didn’t say that.”
In the space of a heartbeat, her glare morphed into something wicked and that feeling of being in over his head came roaring back.
“But,” she added with a wink, “if you want to, I won’t say no.”
