“I never had kids. Not in any life. I'm not the mothering kind.” I looked sideways at him as I settled back against the headboard. “And I'm not into role-playing mama and baby. Let's get that clear right now. But maybe it's time I let a little whimsy into my life.”
“Whimsy?” Jake's deep voice made the words sexy. Which shouldn't have been possible but there it was—all sexy, hanging between us.
I had to clear my throat before I spoke. “Yeah. Fairy tales. I thought I might give them another go. I can't remember ever reading one.”
“Never?”
“Nope. I know some of the stories, of course. I've seen the Disney films. But I've never actually read a fairy tale. Considering that, it was wrong of me to judge you.”
“Is that an apology?”
“Whatever. Take it as you want.” I opened the book. “Which one do you recommend?”
Jake was silent for so long that I finally looked over at him. He was staring at me, his expression as unreadable as ever.
“What?” I demanded.
“You are softer than you seem. It's all an act. A shell. No, armor. This attitude of yours. You use it to protect yourself. Because you care too much.”
I stared at him and my stare shivered, eyelids fluttering. He was spot-on, and that wasn't just surprising, it was a bit terrifying. I felt bare. Armor shattered. Well, that wouldn't do.
I lifted my chin. “This is supposed to be an olive branch, not a therapy session. Stop inspecting my armor or I'll take another crack at yours.”
He snorted. “All right, Lina. It's enough that you know I know who you are.”
My throat went dry. I couldn't look away. Those damn summer eyes sent out their siren's call again. It would be so nice to let it go. Just exhale the trauma of my past and get rid of it. But it wasn't that easy. I'd been trained. Conditioned into mistrust. What did I know about Jake? He was a supernatural guard dog with a love for fairy tales and a talent for kissing. That wasn't enough. Not yet.
“Don't call me Lina,” I muttered and looked down at the book. “Now, which one should I read to you?”
“You're going to read me a bedtime story?”
“Yes, asshole. Don't ruin the gesture.”
Jake chuckled, the sound soft and velvety. It became a vibration that trickled over my skin. I ignored it, but he was harder to ignore. A glance turned into yet another long stare. I'd never stared at a man so much and without awkwardness. Jake made it feel natural for us to look at each other without talking. And then he went and laughed. He was already handsome. Very handsome. But a grinning Jake? That was enough to steal an angel's breath. Or a devil's.
I looked back at the book and found the table of contents.No more staring, Salina. Read the damn story and get out.
“My favorite is Rumpelstiltskin,” Jake said.
“Really?” I asked without looking up.
“Yes. I like how clever the girl is.”
“All right. Rumpelstiltskin it is.”
As I was flipping through pages, two men barged into the room. Cyrus and Lex rushed over to the bed, but then stopped at the foot and stared at us. Correction; they gaped at us.
“Yes?” I lifted a brow at them.
“Uh. We felt something weird from Jake. Tingly and bright but not sexual,” Lex stammered.
“That's called happiness,” I drawled. “I'm about to read Rumpelstiltskin. Do you two want to join us?”
They looked at each other. Then at me. They nodded.
Jake grunted and scooted closer to me. As the other two got in bed—Lex beside Jake and Cyrus beside me—Jake flipped the pages in the book, then tapped it.
I looked down at a beautifully painted picture of a little, bearded man sitting at a spinning wheel, spinning straw into gold. On the page opposite, the story began.
