Steeling myself, I took my foot off the brake and coasted the rest of the way. I parked outside the garage by her vehicle and frowned. The kindling of warmth in my belly was only nerves. Clover was a nice person, but she was my brother’s ex. His pregnant ex. I wasn’t attracted to her.
I pulled out my suitcase and checked my phone one more time.
Clover: I’ll leave the door open. I’m doing some cleaning.
By the front door was an oblong brown rock with indents that made it look like it could’ve come from the moon, and a mat that said Gneiss Of You To Stop By.
What the… Right. Clover was a geologist. My mom’s comment to Elijah ran through my head. “Why’d you get someone who plays in the dirt?”
Now he’d gotten someone who was probably going to play him.
I stepped inside. Cool air swarmed around me, and the smell of freshly baked cookies filled the air. My stomach growled. How long had it been since I’ve had a freshly baked cookie?
Leaving my suitcase in the entry, I walked through the bare living room with one wall painted a light lavender and the others a pleasant cream. The holes from whatever the previous occupants had hanging on the walls were visible. Hardwood floors, stained a dark maple, carried through the entire house.
A dining room separated the living area from the kitchen, which was empty. No furniture. None. The magnitude of my decision was only starting to sink in. Married. New life, new town, new home. Nothing in it.
I’d remedy that. I had the freedom to now, thanks to this marriage.
A plate of chocolate chip cookies sat on the edge of the island. Were these open season? Shoving one in my mouth, I grabbed another two.
A twangy country beat drifted in from somewhere deeper in the place. I followed the sound. There were only two bedrooms and one bathroom. No office? The reason I needed the next three months was to finish launching my company.
That was a problem for later, and for when I had a desk or a table.
The place was older but well-kept. In Vegas, Weston had said the basement never got finished.
I passed the bathroom, and the smell of Pine-Sol filled the air, but the light was off.
The door to what I assumed must be the largest bedroom gaped open, and I poked my head in. A small speaker was by the door, pumping out the beat. Clover danced in the middle of the room, her stockinged feet stomping and her hips swinging. Her back was to me, and she stayed that way as she danced to the left and then to the right.
Was she line dancing?
She swiveled her hips, and a tightness coiled inside me, down lower than was comfortable. When she gyrated, I averted my gaze, since otherwise I might sport an erection. Wrong woman to do that with.
I knocked on the door.
She screeched and jumped. Her feet slipped on the floor, and I dove. The cookies hit the floor, and I clamped my arms around her, but I lost my balance from the flailing Clover. I twisted to keep from landing on her and hit my ass hard on the floor.
“Oh my God!” she cried.
I braced myself for a berating, but I didn’t let her go. She was pregnant, and I had almost caused a big accident.
She scrambled off me, and I reluctantly let go. She stayed on her knees next to me, looking me over. “Are you okay? Oh God, I landed right on you! I’m sorry I didn’t hear you! Is it early? Late? I should’ve been paying atten?—”
I pressed my finger to her mouth. I needed a moment to assess for damage, and she’d keep blaming herself. Now I was caught between wanting to stroke the outline of her bow lips or yanking my hand away like I touched a hot plate. I lingered for a moment too long. Her hazel eyes were wide when I removed my finger. Why the hell had I put it there in the first place?
“I’m fine. It’s not your fault. But I need a minute.” My tailbone had taken a hell of a slam, but the worst pain was already receding. Mostly, I was content to sit my ass on the floor for a while since she was right here with me.
I’d been alone too long.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered.
I cocked a brow. “Why? I scared you.”
“I should’ve expected you and turned the music down.”
“I should’ve walked slower so I entered when the song was done,” I said wryly.
