“I have a sleeping mat in my vehicle, but we should hash out my stay first.”
Her brows rose.“I can persuade you to leave?”
“No.”
A snort escaped her, but staying alone had made her jumpy and frayed her nerves.“Only for tonight,” she said.
“For at least three nights until we install the alarms and the security system is online.”
Maia considered his request.“All right.Thank you.I don’t have much food.I’d planned to do a larger shop after the meeting.”
“London made a stew and sent potatoes, carrots, and leeks with me.We won’t starve.”
Maia glowered.He’d neatly maneuvered her into agreeing with his plan.“I don’t like bossy men.”
“What?”
“Nothing.I’m going to unpack more boxes before dinner.”
“Anything I can help with?”
“No!”Heat gathered in her cheeks, but she maintained his gaze.He unsettled her.She wanted him gone.“I might as well unpack.Once I can train, I’ll be busier and won’t be at home.”
Henry didn’t respond, but his expression tightened, and his eyes turned flinty hard.
Maia turned away from his disapproval.He was not her boss.She’d had enough of that as a child.She headed to the room she intended to use as an office.The doctor had told her she should experience daily improvements but to avoid electronic screens and television.She’d asked him about computer work, but he’d intimated it might slow her recovery.She could take a few days off.Her deadline was self-imposed, and her editor would understand if she was late with her manuscript.She’d flick him an email at the end of the week once she knew her recovery pace.
Meantime, she’d jot plot notes and plan more than usual.Hopefully, she could nail down her story in bullet points and hasten the writing process once the doctor gave her medical clearance.
She pried open the flaps of another box of reference books and piled them into an empty bookcase.Lots of books on human sexuality, a few on grammar, and several travel guidebooks.
“Why are you reading books about human sexual behavior?”Henry’s eyes bugged out before he narrowed his brown gaze on her.“What’s with the oral sex manual?”
“None of your business.”Using her hand, she nudged him across the threshold.Then she shut the door in his face.
He muttered something guttural under his breath, and she grinned.That would teach him to act so nosy.Maia returned to unpacking and emptied three more boxes before stopping because the ache at her temples was bothering her.She found Henry working in the kitchen, bits of wiring and tools littering the counter.
“I’m going for a nap,” she said and stalked to her bedroom.
When she woke again, a rich tomato scent drew her toward the kitchen.Henry stood at the stove with a tea towel draped over his right shoulder.He stirred several times before knocking the spoon against the pot’s side.
“You’re awake.How’s the head?”
Maia started, her pulse lurching.How had he known she was there?She hadn’t made a sound.“It’s fine.”
Judging by the rich scent of tomato, garlic, and herbs, the man was a whizz in the kitchen.
Maia didn’t have to think hard about the last time a man cooked for her or went to this effort without a big production because it was never.Her ex had always taken her to expensive restaurants and made a huge deal out of his generosity in paying for her meals.He’d even ordered for her as if she were some nincompoop without a single thought in her pretty little head.
He hadn’t liked people learning about her rugby interest either.She’d always been a student or an accountant.
Maia’s jaw hurt, and she realized she’d started scowling.One of Henry’s brows rose in silent question.
“Sorry,” she said, knowing she’d need to explain her grimace.“Dreadful memories.”
Concern rushed into his features.“Did you dream about the attack?”
“No,” she said, deciding to give him honesty.“A memory of my ex-boyfriend.He preferred me to have a feminine career.He believed in traditional roles for men and women.I met his parents once, and my ex hardly let me speak.He told his parents I was shy and took a while to warm to strangers.”
