I couldn't blame him for being upset.If he went for my sister, I wouldn't be understanding either."I'll get out of your hair.Let me know if you need anything."
The women didn't acknowledge my words.
They were talking about Reina's ordeal with the fire and how amazing it was that I rescued her.
When they started talking about how they'd prefer a real-life firefighter to rescue them, I ducked out of the kitchen.This wasn't a conversation I wanted to hear.But it was interesting that they thought it was hot.That they wanted to be rescued.Did Reina like that I'd rescued her and not one of the firefighters?
She probably would have preferred a firefighter and not her brother's friend.
I went downstairs to the basement to work out.I had a feeling that I'd have to spend a lot of time down here blowing off steam while Reina was living with me.
It bothered me that Reina might move out before the apartment was ready.It was great that she had an independent streak, but I wanted her to stay.I wasn't ready for our arrangement to be over.So far, the house was filled with talking, laughter, and life.All things I hadn't realized I'd been missing until she moved in.
Thirty minutes into my workout, the smell of something baking drifted through the vents.It was nice to have her enjoy my kitchen, to feel relaxed enough to hang out with friends here in my house.
I just couldn't get used to it.Who knows how long she'd stay or whether she'd let me get close to her?Just because I found her attractive didn't mean the feeling was mutual.
She probably saw me as her brother's annoying friend.The one who made ridiculous promises to protect her.Another woman might have liked it, but she hated it.
She didn't want anyone talking about her as if she couldn't take care of herself.I understood that now.But I was wondering why Tom didn't already know that about her.Were they not close?Or was it that he didn't see her that way?
Maybe her family saw her as someone who couldn't take care of herself because she was the youngest.And she was fiercely independent to prove them wrong.
I remembered that Tom had wanted her to move with their parents and open her bakery there.But she hadn't wanted to.She'd insisted that Colorado was her home.She was determined to make it work, and it had for a while.Now, her dream was in shambles, and I was going to do everything in my power to fix it.
Chapter5
Reina
At some point, Morgan disappeared.I couldn't blame him.There were a lot of women in his kitchen talking and laughing.We probably should have discussed rules about having people over since we were going to be roommates.
Maybe he didn't want a gaggle of women in his kitchen.When Clara suggested we bake, I couldn't say no.Some people said they felt good after exercising; I always felt that way about baking.
It was like everything else around me faded away.The world became clearer.I felt almost Zen-like, probably how others felt when they were meditating.
We baked my favorite comfort food, chocolate chip cookies.I made them whenever I wanted to feel good.And right now, with my bakery closed for the foreseeable future and living with Morgan, I needed comfort.I needed reassurance that I was doing the right thing, making good decisions, and not flirting with trouble.
When the first batch was cooling on racks on the counter, I slid another cookie tray into the oven.It might not have been an industrial kitchen, but there was plenty of space for me to work.
"Were you working out?"Clara asked, and I looked up to find Morgan standing in the doorway shirtless with mesh shorts riding low on his hips.I licked my suddenly parched lips.
Clara's gaze moved to me, probably gauging my reaction.
But the only thing I could focus on were the beads of sweat on his pecs.Beads I wanted to lick off with my tongue.My face heated, and my fingers trembled.I wasn't going to be able to live with Morgan if he walked around half naked.He was testing my ability to resist him.
"Yeah, I wanted to give you space."
"You don't mind that we baked in your kitchen?"I asked, my voice betraying me by sounding breathless.
He rubbed his chest, and my gaze snagged on the motion."This is your place now too."
What would it feel like to touch his skin there?Was it hot from the exertion and prickly from the sparse hair that curled under his palm?"You can have a few of my cookies later.If you don't mind eating sweets after a workout."
Too late, I realized how that sounded.I'd offered him my cookies—later—when we'd be alone.Had he taken that the wrong way?I glanced around the room where most of the women were looking between us with amused interest.
Morgan threw a thumb over his shoulder."I'm just going to jump in the shower.Maybe I'll sample one later."
Clara's eyes sparkled."You're not going to be able to resist.They’re so warm and gooey."
