“There you go.You could finish your degree online.”He frowned when she just gave him a small nod, not showing any excitement, and sat quietly.“What degree are you going for?”
“Accounting and a minor in computers.”
Jared’s brows snapped together.“Wow, that’s ambitious.”
And there it was.Disbelief that she was smart enough to get a degree, much less a hard one like accounting.Even though she was expecting it, it still hurt.
Jared crouched and frowned when she shied away from him.
“Sky, look at me.”
Sky turned her head because his arrogant voice broke no argument.She waited while he stared at her as if trying to answer his silent question.
Something was bothering him about her.He knew she was acting different, but he guessed that was partly due to exhaustion and maybe anger at the rules he’d set for her.He stood and looked down at her.Her only movement was to turn her head away from him.
“Stand up, Honey.”He took a step back when she stood.“It’s getting late.Why don’t you head on up to bed?I have a few things to do down here, and then I’ll be up.”
Sky nodded and started to step around him when he stopped her with a hand on her arm.
“You forgot my kiss.”
Sky swallowed and raised her face.
He pressed his lips firmly to hers, then lifted his head.He was pleased when she stayed still with her eyes closed, waiting for another kiss.He pressed his lips against hers again, deepening it until they were both breathless.Jared finally broke the kiss and then turned her toward the door with his hands on her shoulders.
“Go on up.”
Sky silently walked toward the door.
“And Sky...”
Sky turned back.
“You’d better be in my bed.Do you understand?”
She nodded.“Yes, I understand.”
“All right.Good night.”
Sky walked out and slowly made her way up the staircase.She paused on the landing, unsure which way to turn or what she needed to do.Her things were in the guest room, but he wanted her in his room.She decided to grab what she would need for that night and put everything else away tomorrow.
She walked out of his bathroom after a quick shower and her bedtime routine.Sky walked around to the other side of the bed, guessing he would want the side closest to the bathroom.
Sky lay down under the blanket and looked around.Oh, good heavens.She felt like a toddler in their parents’ bed.Compared to her size, the bed seemed huge.Instead of feeling happy about the space she would have between them, it made her feel even lonelier than she had earlier.She turned away from the bathroom.Her gaze roamed out into the night, letting the light of the stars bring her any sense of peace she could acquire.
Sky hadn’t thought she’d be able to sleep after her nap, but within minutes her eyes drooped down, and she drifted into a deep but fitful sleep.
