“You didn’t wake me,” she said, aiming what she hoped was a sincere smile at Tara. “Any more coffee in that pot?”
“Sure is. Let me get that for you.” Tara grabbed a black coffee cup from the cabinet and filled it near to the top before handing it over. “There’s cream and sugar if you want some. I couldn’t find any good creamer, but if you tell me what you like, I’ll pick some up when I run out.”
Eve doctored her morning brew and savored her first sip before settling on the backless stool beside Reid. The small island faced the lone window above the sink. Flecks of brown ranthrough the white marble countertop at Tara’s back. The white tiled backsplash highlighted the navy-blue cabinets.
“This is perfect,” she said. “No need to run out on my account.”
“Well, I’ve been informed I was quite the pest this morning, so I thought I’d make amends by running out and grabbing some breakfast.” Tara shot Reid a sickeningly sweet smile. “Least I can do to apologize.”
“You weren’t a pest.” Eve swatted Reid’s arm. “Don’t listen to your brother.”
“I rarely do.” Tara chuckled. “But I’m still leaving for a bit. I want to check out the cute little coffee shop I saw downtown. It’s just a quick walk from here, and I’m craving some pastries. Do either of you want anything?”
“Nah,” Reid said. “I planned on frying up some bacon and eggs. Something a little heartier.”
“Bacon and eggs sound good,” Eve said.
“More chocolate croissants for me.” Tara set her mug in the sink then walked to the front door to slip on her shoes. “I won’t be gone long.”
“Keep your phone on you,” Reid said. “Pay attention to your surroundings.”
“Yes, sir.” Tara gave him a two-finger salute then disappeared out the door.
Eve studied the hard lines of his face. “You’re worried about her.”
He lifted a shoulder. “Hard not to be with everything going on. I told her you’d hired me to help with some issues, and she knows someone broke into your house last night. Other than that, I’ve been vague about the details so I didn’t freak her out. I should have filled her all the way in so she’d be more careful.”
“I’m sure she’ll be fine.”
“Not much I can do about it now.” He hopped to his feet and rubbed his palms together. “What about that breakfast?”
Unable to stop herself, she asked, “Do you cook for all the women who stay at your place?”
His expression crumpled. “Is that what you think?”
She wished she could joke off the question and act like the answer didn’t bother her, but she couldn’t. It was time to find out what kind of man Reid really was.
Chapter 18
His question hung in the air like a giant, ugly elephant. A pit lodged in Reid’s gut. He hated that Eve assumed he was some pig who had a rotating lineup of women coming into his home. She’d be shocked to learn he’d been with no woman since he’d moved to Cloud Valley. Sure, he loved to charm his way into an enjoyable evening with interesting company. But after he’d set eyes on Eve, no one else in town held a candle to her.
Which was exactly why he’d never asked her out. Whatever this feeling was could crash and burn, and he’d not only lose the prettiest thing to ever steal his heart, but his friend as well. He’d rather die alone than hurt her, the fear of repeating the same mistakes as his father a constant flashing caution sign in the back of his head.
Eve avoided eye contact and traced the pad of her finger around the rim of the coffee mug. “I don’t know what to think. I see you at the bar, laughing and flirting with women. As much as it pains me to think of what happens once I turn on that closed sign, I can only assume how your nights end. I just want to know if I’m one of many.”
The hesitancy in her voice crushed him. “Honey, you’re one of a kind in every single way.”
“I’m not sure if I buy that,” she said with an indelicate snort.
Reclaiming his stool, he widened his legs so her slim thighs fit between them. He rested his hands on her knees. “I need you to. Because trust me when I tell you that I’ve never met a woman like you. Not here. Not in Indiana. Not anyone in this wholedamn world. I might smile and laugh and look like I’m the jolly freaking giant, but none of that means a thing.”
Frowning, she narrowed her gaze. “What does it mean then?”
The question made him squirm a little, but he wouldn’t evade it. Not this time. “It’s easier for me to joke around and keep things casual than let anyone in. I don’t open myself up often, which is why I’ve never brought a woman back to this apartment. Ever. I don’t like letting people see the other parts of me. Parts of me that are ugly and scarred and better left in the dark.”
She sucked in a sharp breath, eyes wide. “No part of you is ugly, Reid.”
Scrunching his nose, he tunneled his hand through his hair. He’d gotten a little off topic. He wanted Eve to be secure in the knowledge that bringing her into his home was a first for him, not confess all his deepest secrets. “I don’t agree, and honestly, that’s a big discussion to have at another time. But for right now, I need you to know I’m not the guy you think I am.”
