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“Can’t you offer him a job at the resort?”

He blinks at me. “As what? A bartender?”

“I don’t know. I’m just making things up here. He’s just… I don’t like the idea of him being caught up in this either.”

“Because you’re dating him?” West asks. He finishes another tamale, as well as his wine.

“You know I’m not.” I roll my eyes at him, but I can’t stop smiling. Even tired, and looking like the world is weighing on his shoulders, there’s a magnetism to him that can’t be denied. “Are you still hungry?” I ask when he’s finished the plate.

“Not for food.” His eyes catch mine. But I’m not done taking care of him. Even if he isn’t used to it.

“Good.” I put his plate into the dishwasher, along with his wine glass. “I’m going upstairs. Don’t come up until I send you a message that I’m ready.”

If the old Eden could see me now, she’d laugh. Yes, this might be a bit too Stepford wife, but I’m actually enjoying it. It’s my choice, not my duty. Maybe that’s the difference.

And tomorrow I’ll be back to my messy ways, that’s for sure.

West blinks at me, like he’s trying to figure me out. “What are you planning on doing up there?”

“It’s a surprise. For my husband.” I lower my voice, until it’s just a little bit breathy. And I’m rewarded with a spark of desire in his eyes.

“Let me come up with you,” he murmurs, reaching for my hand.

But I shake my head. “It will be worth the wait. I promise.”

“Does it involve feeling you come on my fingers again?” he asks.

I bite down a smile. “Possibly.”

“Okay. You’ve got five minutes. No more. I’m not a patient man.” He lifts my hand up, kissing my wrist, right where there’s a crisscross of blue veins. “And Eden?” he murmurs, his breath against my tender skin sending a shiver down my spine.

“Yes?”

“If I catch you with that vibrator, I’m going to shove it up?—”

But I start to laugh.

And god help me, I’ve never wanted something more.

twenty-three

WEST

I hear her bare feet padding up the stairs, and have to restrain myself from following her. I’ve absolutely no idea what she’s planning on doing up there for the next few minutes. Eden is anything but predictable. To stop myself from striding out of the kitchen to follow her, I pull out my phone and shoot Bennett a text.

We’ll leave tomorrow at seven sharp. I’ll meet you outside by the car. Do not interrupt me or wake me up before then. – West

I don’t bother to check if he’s read it. I just don’t want to be interrupted if I decide to bury myself in Eden in the morning. And while I wait – because I’m really not a patient man – I pace the room.

What the hell is taking so long? For a second, I think about storming up there, but then I remember the tamales. The wine.The soft way she asked me questions. Like she was interested in me. Not judging me.

And I’m not used to that. I’m usually the one who storms in and puts everything back in order – by any means necessary – then walks out without looking back. Like Jack Reacher in a designer suit, minus the weapons knowledge.

Yeah, and he knows better than to fall for the girl.

But I’m not falling for her. At least that’s what I keep telling myself. I’ve been around long enough to know what a shitshow that would be. Not just because she’s Hudson’s baby sister – which, let’s be honest, is enough to get me publicly castrated – but because she’s too damn young for me. Too bright. And completely idealistic. While I’m too set in the kind of life she’d run from if she really knew all of it.

I drag a hand through my hair, clench my fists. If she’s still shaving her legs, I swear to god?—