But she knew better.
His mouth tipped into a lazy half-smile, that slow-burn kind that always came with trouble.
“Hmm?”
She arched a brow, tipping her head with enough attitude to keep things balanced.
“You have a spare toothbrush?”
He didn’t answer right away. Just watched her for a beat, then let out a slow exhale, the kind that curled at the corners with smug satisfaction.
“A toothbrush?” he echoed, voice low, heavy with sleep and unmistakable warmth. “So, you’re planning to stick around?”
Arden rolled her eyes, but her smirk betrayed her. "Not forever, Blackwell. Just long enough to keep my teeth from falling out."
His laugh came low and unhurried, rough in that early-morning kind of way that sent a ripple down her spine and heat straight to her center.
Then, like sin made casual, he swung his legs off the bed and rose in one smooth motion—stretching tall, muscles shifting like a slow, perfect problem.
“Top drawer in the bathroom,” he said, nodding toward the ensuite. “I keep extras.”
She raised a brow, arms crossing loosely. “Naturally.”
He moved aside, enough for her to slip by, and flashed a grin that didn’t even try to hide the spark in his eyes.
“I like to be prepared.”
She stopped at the threshold, hand brushing lightly against the doorframe, and glanced back—one brow lifted, her expression threaded with playful challenge.
“Hopefully not prepared for just anyone.”
It was tossed like a joke, a jab meant to keep the edge between them playful.
But his expression didn’t go light.
It sharpened.
The grin shifted. Subtler. Sharper. All intent.
“You’re not just anyone, Arden.”
The way he said it landed in her chest like a punch wrapped in velvet.
Her heart kicked hard.
She opened her mouth, some smartass line poised on the edge, but it caught halfway up her throat.
Too dangerous. Too real.
So instead, she turned, calm as hell, and walked toward the bathroom like her legs weren’t on fire.
Before the door clicked shut, she looked back once over her shoulder, only for a second.
That look?
It wasn’t teasing.
It was a warning.
