“Our closet, and I do.” She laughs, but it’s softer this time like her voice. “Famous last words.”
“For us anyway.”
Her smile falls as she looks away from me. “I think I’ll take you up on your offer, and shower.”
She walks around the counter, passing me and heading down the hall, but stops to retrieve the purse she left on the counter, then her phone. It’s almost like she doesn’t trust me. I don’t say what’s on the tip of my tongue because I’m invested in how this night will end. Either she’ll sleep over or leave me again. I’m starting to root for the former.
Knowing I won’t be able to retire for the night with the kitchen a mess like she left it, I start by cleaning up the dishes, then load the dishwasher before running it. I fill my glass with water from a pitcher and take a pill for my head and to help with the throbbing in my arm under this cast. It was too late to pick up the prescription. That’s what I get for choosing the local pharmacy instead of a chain, so this will have to do. I got hit by a car, so I can survive one night on Ibuprofen.
I lock the balcony door and double-check the front bolts. Working my way around the apartment, I shut off the lights as drowsiness sets in. I check the spare room to find the bed made up and ready for guests. She can sleep in herefor the night. Come tomorrow, she’s out of here—my bed, my apartment, and my life.
I walk into my bedroom to see her curled up on the bed under the covers. Her hair is damp, and her face has been cleaned of old makeup. She’s more beautiful like this, sleeping like an angel in my bed. When I see the shirt that she chose to wear, I grin. Of all the T-shirts in the closet, she chose one that represents me more than most—my alma mater.
Letting her rest, I brush my teeth and get ready for bed. Although it was a struggle to get on, I have no trouble pulling the shirt off over my head. I leave my sweatpants in a pile on the floor, which isn’t like me at all. I’m too tired to care.
I return to the bedroom to see her still lying in the same position. She might be more tired than I am. I can’t move her to the other room. That means I’m getting z’s next door. But I stop before I leave the room and look back. “Fuck it,” I mutter, then turn off the lamp and climb in next to her.
The bed is large enough for us to sprawl out and still never touch. It feels so good to be lying here again, and way better than that hospital bed. I look to my side again since enough moonlight has determined it’s also spending the night with us.
I reach over and run the back of my fingers over the soft skin of her exposed neck. She doesn’t stir as if this comes naturally between us. She’s not my wife. I know it deep down. If she were, I’d feel it in my bones. I just know it. But she’s been nice company to have around, and she makes a great pancake.
We have a lot to discuss tomorrow, but here in this bed tonight, I’m glad she stayed.
CHAPTER 7
Delaney
The lightof early morning pours through the window, causing my lids to flutter open. My head spins like I got wasted at a bachelorette party instead of experiencing the mayhem of bad decisions. I had hoped rest would balance my overwrought brain, but the dizziness of the situation says otherwise.
The reprieve while I rested is only temporary as the unfamiliarity of everything surrounding me causes panic to rise in my throat. The air smells of some exotic location—musky with a warmth of sweetness, homey, the soft sheets against my bare legs, the coziest bed I’ve ever slept in, the weight of a warm hand on my inner thigh—Hand?
My eyes fly open as I suck in a harsh breath. Fear races through my veins, but I still my breathing, harboring the next breath in my chest. Turning my head slowly, I’m careful not to disturb the person next to me.
Just enough light streams into the room to see Warner lying on his back next to me. My heart is quick to find arhythm with the sound of his steady breathing, calming my initial concerns. He’s handsome when he sleeps, like he is when he’s awake, but more so when he’s not speaking. He sure has a knack for pushing buttons, especially mine. In the peace of his sleep, I can pretend he’s not an awful human being trying to destroy my family’s lives.
I can even find comfort in the warmth of his hand between my legs.Wait, what?I should shift, but I stay still instead, enjoying the heat his touch radiates to the rest of my body, even reaching my toes.
Lying here, I drape my arm across my forehead and stare up at the ceiling. With Warner’s hand on my thigh and the scent of his soap floating in the air, my thoughts scroll through snapshots of the past twenty-four hours.I let this man believe he’s my husband.
Squeezing my eyes shut, I inhale a deep breath and look at him again. The bridge of his nose has the slightest of bumps, and his full lips appear soft in the morning light juxtaposed against the hard cut of his jawline. The hills and valleys of his muscular shoulders lead my gaze across his chest, but a heaviness weighs on mine, causing me to look away. I take a deep breath, refusing to get caught up in him.
Everything I learned from the old con-job movies I used to watch with my dad taught me that Warner is a target.My target.That’s it. Stay focused on the job at hand.
On the edge of delirium last night, I had to make a choice. Whether it was a wise decision or not remains to be seen. But today, I’m fully committed. It’s not like I have another option at this point.
Warner Landers has made himself clear.
It’s time Delaney Bayetti does the same. I’m not here to play. I’m here to win him over and talk some sense into him.
The lies are already embedding themselves under myskin just enough to slide off my tongue when necessary. He was testing me last night. He’ll do it again today. I have to be ready for him, or I’ll give myself away.
I only wish I didn’t love the feel of his hand spanning the inside of my thigh like I do. And how bold he was to slide it between my thighs like I’m his girlfriend, or worse, his wife. Did he really think I wouldn’t notice? Technically, I didn’t, but that’s neither here nor there in this situation. I have a scroll length of excuses lined up and ready to toss out on a moment’s notice.
One.I went almost forty-eight hours without sleep. No one is any good without solid rest. I got that here last night.Finally.
Two.The amount of mental gymnastics I’ve had to perform for this man to convince him we’re the real deal has been an expenditure of energy I didn’t know I possessed. We might not be a couple, but it’s been fun living like a queen in his castle.
Enough of the mush, Delaney.I’d be wise to remember the man is a monster with no heart. I’m not interested in spending my time trying to redeem him so he’s tolerable. He’s not, so there’s no use hoping for the best in this mess. I’ve come to accept he is who he is. I know exactly what I’m working with and will act accordingly.
