“Whatever.” Van moved past her to put the bag containing his things onto the bed. “It’s late, and I’m too damn tried to argue.”
Her lips twitched at his gruffness, and she quickly attempted to school her expression. At that exact same time, Van dropped the bag onto his mattress and spun back around. His eyes caught hers, and he stared back at her with a downturned brow.
“What?”
Kaamisha tried to recover by sending a few innocent blinks his way. “What?”
The creases between the man’s dark brows deepened as he searched her gaze for the truth. Her heart pounded as she became frozen beneath his intensely dark stare, but then Van gave a quick shake of his head.
“Never mind.” He quickly moved past her once again. When he got to the couch, he stopped and looked back her way. “This pulls out to give you more room.”
He proved this by pulling the couch’s wooden frame several inches toward him before creating a makeshift mattress out of the couch’s cushions.
“The blankets and an extra pillow are down here.” Van opened the drawers below, grabbing the items he’d mentioned and setting them onto the bed.
She started walking his way as he toed the drawers shut, stopping a few feet from where he stood. “Thank you, but I can finish the rest.”
The former SEAL’s movements froze for half-a-second before he turned and faced her again. Though she didn’t dare show it in her casual expression, Kaamisha found herself struggling to breathe.
Being this close to him—especially in such a small, enclosed space—felt as though he’d stolen every ounce of oxygen inside the boat’s cabin. Her heart pounded uncontrollably against her ribs, her lower belly filling with a thousand fluttering tingles.
Better stop that, Kaamisha.
This man stirred things inside her that she didn’t understand. She’d need to be careful not to let the attraction she felt for him become too much of a distraction. It would be easy, given the man’s ruggedly handsome face and muscular physique.
But it was those eyes that really drew her in. There were so many secrets there. Hidden gems she suddenly longed to unravel.
Unfortunately, she most likely would never be given that chance. Not with this man. No, the walls he had built aroundhim were far too tall. And so thick it would take decades before she could ever reach what was inside.
Oh, but wouldn’t it be fun to try?
“You need to use the restroom before we call it a night?”
With all that had happened, she’d almost forgotten about mundane things like brushing her teeth before bed.
“I’ll see if Cassie put an extra toothbrush in with the things she sent.”
“Don’t bother. There’s one under the sink.”
The man was prepared. Not a huge surprise.
“I’ll be quick.” She spun on her sneakered heels and started for the other side of the boat.
“Take your time.” Van’s rumbled voice came from where he still stood behind her.
Kaamisha ignored how much she was beginning to love its sound and continued on her way. Once inside the tiny space, her first thought was to wonder how on earth a man of his size could possibly fit.
Obviously, he’d made it work somehow, but…
She caught sight of the shower and of its own accord, her mind conjured up the imaginary image of Van. He was naked, wet, standing beneath a stream of water falling down onto his glorious body like rain.
Huffing out a mind-cleansing breath, she hurriedly went about her business. With her teeth brushed, her bladder empty, and her hands washed in a foaming soap that smelled like masculine spice, Kaamisha spared a moment to look in the small, mounted mirror.
How in the world did you end up here?
On a houseboat. In the United States. Spending the night with a man who’d once threatened to kill her.
Her mother’s voice rang clearly in her ears as she stared at her own reflection.
