I relax against the headboard, curling my knees into my chest. “I’m not very good at small talk,” I warn him. “I do better when I write things out.”
“That’s okay,” he muses. “We can just stare at each other.”
“To be fair, I’m not great at eye contact either. Not at first, anyway.”
“Then it’s a good thing you can’t see mine.”
A beat passes, and I can feel him studying me from beneath the mask. It makes me nervous, but mostly because I don’t know if he’s picking me apart.
“Am I what you expected?”
“You’re perfect,” he answers darkly.
Another flush crawls over me, and I hope he doesn’t notice.
“Want to play a game, little shark?” He sinks back into his chair, sprawling out in that casual way men do.
“What kind of game?”
“Secret for a secret?”
I chew on my lip as I try to think of one.
“I’m terrified of storms,” I admit.
There’s a long, silent pause as he watches me, and without seeing his face, I have no clue what he might be thinking. I’m not sure if I should remind him it’s his turn, but when he finally speaks, it sounds like a confession.
“I think about you way more than I should.”
“Why does it sound like you wish you didn’t?”
“Because I shouldn’t.” His voice dips. “I’m not a good man. Not for you.”
I twist the blanket between my fingers as I consider that. “Are you trying to warn me away?”
“Yes.”
“But does it really matter if we keep things casual?”
He releases a breath. “I don’t do casual, Gabriela. If I touch you, I’ll ruin you.”
Disappointment settles over me, snuffing out the small spark of hope I had. I wanted it to be him. We’ve talked about it so much, it seemed like a strong possibility. But I can’t fault him for being honest.
“I understand.”
Tension stretches between us, and I hate that everything feels messed up now. I never should have asked him, but I can’t undo it.
“It’s late,” he tells me. “You should get some sleep.”
I nod, wondering if this is goodbye forever. Will I even hear from him again?
“Goodnight,” he murmurs.
I muster up a sad smile. “Goodnight.”
4
GABRIELA
