"Ow. What's that for?"
"That was a warning." She pointed a finger in his face. "I expect you to be a perfect gentleman. I know it's a little awkward for the two of you to share a bathroom, but you'll just have to make the best of the situation."
A little awkward?
She walked to the door but turned back before exiting his room. "You can flirt with her, date her, you can even kiss her and cuddle on the couch with her..." Her finger pointed again. "But don't you even think about doing anything inappropriate with her in this house."
"Mom!" Although the idea of kissing and cuddling with Eden sounded mighty tempting.
"Or any other house for that matter." She gave him an innocent smile with fluttering lashes and all. "Don't forget the way you were raised and the things you were taught." Then she was gone, leaving Rudy feeling like the rug had just been yanked out from under him. She called back from down the hall, "And take a shower. You stink!"
The bathroom door flew open, and Eden stepped into his room, wearing nothing but a towel and soap suds. She had her hair piled on top of her head in one of those messy buns women always wore nowadays. "The locks don't work? What is it with this family and no locks?"
Rudy's mouth went dry as his gaze roamed over her. She must have grabbed one of the older, smaller bath towels from under the sink, because it barely came to the middle of her thigh, leaving an enticing slit near her hip.
Realizing he was staring, he quickly blinked and averted his gaze. To her bare shoulders.
Gah. That's not any better!
Her eyes darted around his room. "Oh, I thought your mom was still here." A flush covered her cheeks as she stepped back into the bathroom. Her voice took on a defensive tone when she spoke again. "You need to learn to knock."
"Why would I need to knock? I've been the only one to use this bathroom for the last two months."
"Well, not anymore." She reached for the door.
"Wait," Rudy said. "What are you doing here?"
"I was taking a bath before you so rudely interrupted."
"No. Why are you in my house?"
Her nose scrunched and her brows creased. "You know, I'm not really sure. Your mom showed up at the apartment and went on about newlyweds needing their space and rambling stuff about wanting more grandkids. Then she grabbed my suitcase and walked out the door. The next thing I knew, I was here." Eden waved an arm behind her. "In Scott's room. Inyourbathroom." A delicate flush colored her cheeks.
Rudy watched a cluster of soap suds slide from her shoulder down to the edge of the towel around her chest. Warmth filled his body.
Great! Why couldn't mom have just had a talk with Kennedy about her "wifely duties"?
How long would he have to share a bathroom with Eden?
Instead of closing the door, Eden's gaze swept across him. Color flooded her cheeks when her gaze hit his chest.
A perverse sense of pride spiraled through him as her gaze lingered there. But then the realization hit him that they were both half naked, and he grew hot all over again. When her gaze shifted to the scar on his shoulder, he shifted his body away from her and searched for something to break the awkward silence that surrounded them.
"We should get rid of that towel."
Eden's jaw dropped. "Excuse me?"
Heat once again filled his face, only hotter this time.
Gah. I'm as awkward as Scott.
He suddenly had a new appreciation for how his brother felt when he tried to flirt with Kennedy last fall. Not that he was trying to flirt with Eden, because he wasn't. Not at all. But the words coming from his mouth sounded about as ridiculous as Scott telling Kennedy he liked her hammer.
He cleared his throat. "I mean, you don't need to use the small towels. There are much bigger, nicer ones in the bathroom closet."
Eden looked down at her body, causing the slit at her hip to widen and expose more skin. Her eyes widened and she let out a noise that sounded like a combination of a gasp and a shriek. Then she slammed the door.
Rudy sure hoped she didn't plan on getting back in the tub, because he needed a shower. A cold one.
