“Did you get my stuff?” She bounds over to me, practically bouncing on her heels as I take everything out of the bags.
I set her supplies down on the counter, pinning her with a stare as I brace a hand over everything. “What are you planning to do with all of this?”
“Wouldn’t you like to know, Weather Boy.” She rolls her eyes before filling her arms and skipping back to the living room.
I watch her for a while, suspicion tugging at my gut as I put things away. She’s obscured by the back of the sofa, so I can’t see what she’s doing, but I know it isn’t anything good.
“It’s getting late,” I comment.
She looks up as if just noticing the darkness beyond thewindows by the front door. “I’m not tired, and I’m not sleeping with you.”
I figured as much. I keep reminding myself that it’s going to take time for her to come around, but I’ve already grown attached to the feeling of sleeping beside her. While she was out of it, I kept her tucked up safely against my chest, but now it’s back to a cold bed.
It’ll all be worth it.
“I’ll take the sofa,” I say. “If you’re planning on staying up, you can use my office.”
She blinks. “I get your bed? Why?”
I shrug. “Because it’s the polite thing to do. You’re my guest, Sunshine.”
She doesn’t argue as she gathers her things and rises from the couch. “Good night.”
“Night,” I call after her as she pads up the stairs. I grab an extra blanket and pillow from a closet, take off my boots and jeans, and lie on my back on the uncomfortable leather. I stay up for a while, listening to Addison’s footsteps as she moves around upstairs.
I eventually have to force myself to sleep. It’s hard having her in my home, but I'm trying to stay on her good side. Keeping myself away is proving to be a feat all of its own.
Around the early morning hours, I finally drift off, the last images being of the enchanting woman who haunts me during the day and in the deepest recesses of my mind at night.
***
There’s a flash of light from behind my closed eyes. I’m in the space between awake and sleep, and the whispered voice near me causes me to shoot upright on the sofa. I fling my arm out and grab whoever is standing over me.
Addison’s frightened gaze connects with mine as my hand squeezes her throat.
“Fuck, Sunshine.” I release her quickly, and shescrambles back. “What are you doing? You can’t sneak up on me like that.”
She places her hand around her throat before I see the subtle blush blossoming on her cheeks. “Sorry. I didn’t think I was going to wake you…”
I rest my elbows on my knees before using a hand to rub the sleep from my eyes. “I’m an assassin, Addison. You can’t do things like that. I could have hurt you.” I notice the purple camera in her left hand, hanging by her side. “Did you take a picture of me while I was sleeping?”
She shrugs. “You took pictures of me.”
Touché.
“Just be more careful, okay?” I ask.
She rolls her eyes. “You’re so dramatic.”
I flick my phone on and squint at the time. It’stwoin the morning. “Why are you still up?”
She ignores me as she airs out the printed photo, looking pleased with her skills. “Good night.”
She saunters back up the stairs, and I’m left reeling. She’s a fucking handful, and she knows it. This woman is going to be the death of me, and I’m hopeless to stop it.
***
I’m up a few hours later, and the sun has barely risen. Sleep is a commodity I find hard to come by, and with Addison gracing every corner of this place with her light, I find it even harder. It’s different not being beside her, and I hate it.
