CHAPTER SEVEN
Igrabbed a spare blanket from the armoire, lighter now that I’d confided in Frasier. For the first time in months, I felt as if I could breathe. I might not know what my path forward was, but I was confident that Frasier would be by my side just as he’d been for the past year and a half.
And the fact that I’d verbalized that I was feeling stuck, not just to Georgia but now to Frasier too, had released something in me. It was as if I’d taken that first step to unclog a plugged drain. I knew that things might only start flowing slowly at first, but at least they’d be moving.
I wandered over to the dresser where I spotted a gift bag with Allie and Kit’s monogram on it. Inside, I found a tube of luxury sunscreen, some aloe vera, and a box of condoms. Leave it to Allie to put condoms in the welcome bag for her wedding party.
I returned everything to the bag then went to the double doors, letting the salt air caress my skin. The ocean waves crashed along the shore, and I peered up at the sky, enjoying the view of the stars. I’d taken a long, hot shower, and I was puttering about the room while Frasier took his turn in the bathroom.
Most people would be thrilled by the room upgrade. The huge bathroom. The privacy. The view. It was incredible. And maybe I would’ve been, under different circumstances.
But I’d reserved a suite with two separate beds. In two separate rooms. Not…I glanced around and let out a heavy sigh. A romantic bungalow with a hot tub. And a freaking king-sized bed with a canopy.
I dragged a hand down my face.I’m in an only-one-bed situation with my best friend.
It was like a scene straight out of one of Meghan Hart or Penelope Glass’s romance novels.
Though, if we were in one of their novels, Frasier would exit the bathroom wearing only a towel, steam billowing out around him. I swallowed thickly at the idea. I was trying really hard not to imagine Frasier in a towel, droplets of water running down the defined ridges of his chest.
We’re friends.Justfriends.
Andfriendsdid not imagine their friends naked in the shower. So I didn’t think about that as I lifted my hair off my neck and fanned myself. Nor did I think about the fact that we’d be sleeping in the same room, even if I insisted on taking the couch.
I pinched the bridge of my nose. I’d really screwed up this time. If I’d just confessed to Allie before the wedding, Frasier and I wouldn’t even be in this situation.
I appreciated that Allie was supportive of my—albeit fake—relationship with Frasier. I was touched that she’d taken time out of her busy schedule to do something nice for me by upgrading this room. But I also couldn’t help but wonder if there was more to it than sheer enthusiasm. If, deep down, she was relieved. Relieved that she wouldn’t have to worry about me and my feelings on her wedding day now that I was in a newrelationship. Or worse, a desire to not have my sadness dampen her celebration.
I tucked the spare sheets around the couch, laying a blanket on top. When the water switched off, I hopped under the covers, quickly closing my eyes and trying to pretend I was asleep. Trying to pretend I hadn’t been thinking about myfriendand what he looked like naked.
The idea that he might somehow know that I was imagining him naked was even more uncomfortable than the couch I was currently lying on. Still…I was going to try. It wasn’t Frasier’s fault that my sister thought we were dating and should be upgraded to a romantic bungalow.
I heard the door to the bathroom open. A moment later, his dark chuckle threaded through the night air, curling low and deep in my belly. I rubbed my thighs together as if to ease the ache building there, squeezing my eyes shut tighter still.
“Bryn,” he rasped. “You better get your ass in bed.”
My entire body went taut as a violin string at the command, the power in his tone. Even so, I tried to remain as still as possible, hoping he’d believe I’d fallen asleep.
I guessed that was too much to ask because the next thing I knew, Frasier was scooping me up off the couch as if I weighed nothing. I flailed around in my blankets, completely caught off guard. But his grip was firm. Unrelenting. A bit like the man holding me.
“Put me down,” I hissed.
“Hold still,” he bit out.
I blinked a few times at his commanding tone. He’d never spoken to me like that. Never taken that tone with me. It was…kinda hot.
He shifted so he was cradling me, and that was so much worse. His body was so warm—warm enough for me to feel the heat from his bare chest through the layers of blankets I waswrapped in. And he smelled so good, like cedar and citrus. If I closed my eyes, I imagined being wrapped up in his arms in a cedar A-frame cabin, eating orange slices together as we looked out over the snow. There’d be a Christmas tree in the background and music playing softly.
Where did that come from?
Frasier crossed the room, dumping me unceremoniously on the bed. I let out a surprised oomph. I was wrapped in blankets, swaddled like a baby. And there he was, looking hotter than he had any right to.
Shirtless. Hands on his hips. Athletic shorts sitting low on his waist. I could see the outline of every muscle, every…Oh god.I shivered.
I felt completely off-kilter. Something about his stern, controlling demeanor and those blue eyes glittering in the dim lighting was doing it for me. Oh boy, was it ever.
I was only just beginning to realize that our friendship might not be the same after this trip. Hell, it was already affecting our relationship.
I liked seeing this different side to him. And this sexy/stern combo was turning out to be my kryptonite.
