If everyone in the world was more like his sister, it’d be a much better place. “Appreciate that, Tara, but you stay in the guest room. Eve can have my room. I’ll take the couch. I doubt I’ll get much sleep anyway.”
Tara frowned. “Can you even fit on that thing?”
“I’ll be fine. Now, it’s late, and you’ve had a long day, too. We’ll see you in the morning.”
She hesitated as if unsure if she should relent so quickly, but he’d used the stern voice that he only brought out in the rare moments when he needed Tara not to argue. It usually didn’t work, but something on his face must have caused her to reconsider.
“Let me know if you change your mind. Good night.” She gave Eve another squeeze then padded over to Reid. “I want more details tomorrow. I should know what’s going on if I plan to stay.” She kissed his cheek then disappeared down the hall and into the guest room.
“Sorry about that,” he said to Eve. He picked up the bag she’d set down after Tara grabbed her and led the way to his room. “She’s a mother hen. Always clucking, wanting to help.”
“Are you kidding me? She’s wonderful. It was nice having such a lovely welcome waiting.”
He flipped up the light switch, illuminating his small room. He didn’t spend much time in his apartment, so size and amenities weren’t a priority. He was more concerned with something close to work and cheap enough that he could sock away a big part of his income to buy his own place. He neverbrought women home, so he’d never given much thought to how others might see things.
He hoped Eve wasn’t put off by the simple gray blanket on the queen-size bed. A tall dresser and cabinet that his grandma had passed down to him completed the sparse collection of furniture. One framed photo of him and his sister with their mother was the only decoration.
“The bathroom is through that door.” He set her bag by his feet then pointed in the direction of the en suite. “The sheets were just washed, so no need to worry.”
The side of her mouth hitched up. “I wasn’t worried about your bedding.”
He scrubbed his palm over the whiskers on his cheeks, not wanting to leave the room but needing to let her rest. “I’ll grab clothes to sleep and then head to the living room. If you can’t find something, come out and ask. Like I said, I probably won’t get much sleep.”
Sighing, Eve closed the sliver of space separating them and slid her palm up to rest on his chest. “I really don’t think you’ll fit on that couch.”
“I’m not making you sleep out there.”
“That wasn’t what I was thinking.”
His breath caught at the base of his throat. “And what were you thinking?”
“I’m shaken. Badly shaken. All I want is to slip under those covers and have you hold me tight so I can close my eyes and know I’m safe. I know that’s not—”
He covered her hand with his, trapping the heat between them. “That sounds perfect.”
She snorted out a humorless laugh. “After what we had planned, I doubt your sincerity.”
“You can doubt a lot of things, but never my sincerity.” Lifting their joined hands to his lips, he pressed a kiss to her knuckles.“I hate what brought you to my room, but I’m glad you’re here. I’ll do whatever you want to make you feel better. To make you feel safe.”
“Then hold me.”
Her whispered words had him lowering his mouth to hers for a quick kiss. “You don’t have to tell me twice.”
“Good. Give me a second.” Rummaging through her bag, she grabbed clothes and a toothbrush then hurried into the bathroom.
While he waited, he slid out of his jeans and pulled on a pair of gym shorts, then yanked off his shirt.
She slinked out of the bathroom and his mouth went dry. A gray sleep tank molded against her breasts and revealed more skin than it concealed. Black-and-red-checked shorts showed off toned legs. She’d twisted her long auburn hair into a braid that hung over one shoulder.
Needing a minute to collect himself, he cleared his throat. “Go ahead and get in bed. I need to brush my teeth.”
While she climbed under his sheets, he locked himself in the bathroom and splashed cold water on his face before scrubbing the day’s grime from his teeth. With fresh breath and a better grasp on his self-control, he returned to the room and shut off the light before easing down on the mattress.
Eve was curled on her side, and he hooked an arm around her waist to pull her against the curve of his body. Her contented sigh had him gritting his teeth. His palm itched to inch lower to her thigh, and his lips ached to touch the crook of her neck.
Instead, he kissed her cheek and snuggled her close. “Good night, Eve.”
“Good night,” she echoed.
