Sleep. Now that was a great idea. He inhaled a deep breath.
It had been a long day. And they had to get up and leave by check-out time and make the drive back to Pineridge. Kelsey had to get home to her kids and the bar. Davis had filming. Even if part of him was dreading and praying for car trouble that left them stranded in Denver for days.
But breaking his contract wasn’t an option. Neither was messing things up for Garrett.
“Sleep is a great idea,” he said finally.
He rummaged around in his bag for his toothbrush and toothpaste, slipping into the bathroom. Maybe if he took his time, she’d be sleeping by the time he went back into the room. It would sure make it a hell of a lot easier for him to actually get sleep.
But no such luck. He’d taken his time, dressing in joggers and a white t-shirt, and brushing his teeth. He’d even let his electric toothbrush run through twice. Yet when he stepped out of the bathroom, Kelsey was sitting on the side of the bed, a knee propped up, talking softly into the phone.
He cleared his throat and she glanced at him over her shoulder.
“I should go. Give the kids a kiss for me. Thanks again.” She slid her phone onto the nightstand. “Mrs. Whitley.”
“Uh, everything okay?”
“Yeah, I was just hoping to talk to the kids before they went to bed.”
“No such luck?”
“Apparently Mr. Whitley took them ice skating and they were exhausted.”
He chuckled. “Sounds about right.”
“It’s probably best this way. My head is still spinning a little.” She smiled all lopsided and goofy, pushing her fingers through her hair. He decided in that moment, he liked how her hair looked since she’d grown it out some, making it long enough to drape over one shoulder.
And that was it. He wasn’t going to notice how that left her other shoulder exposed, revealing the soft skin there. Nope. Nothing.
Remembering how Kelsey usually liked to chug water after drinking a few beers, he returned to the bathroom to fill a glass with water and brought it back to her. “Here, thought you might want some water.”
She narrowed her eyes at him as she took the glass. “You know you don’t have to take care of me.”
If I don’t, who will?is what he wanted to say. But knew he couldn’t. That remark would send her ranting. Apparently just giving her the water was bad enough.
“It’s just a glass of water. Don’t over think it.” He rested his hands on his hips.
“Ha!” she said mockingly. “Says the king of over thinkers.”
His jaw ticked as he clenched his teeth together.
Flipping back the covers, he chose to ignore her. But that didn’t mean he didn’t feel the press of her stare on him. It was obvious she wanted him to argue with her, but what wasn’t obvious, was why?
“All I’m saying is I don’t need your help.” Her voice was softer. She yanked back the covers.
“Just get in the bed.” He was losing his patience. Losing his restraint from yelling at her that shehadasked for his help. Or worse, lose his restraint and confess he had feelings for her. But he couldn’t be sure if they were real, true feelings. And he couldn’t risk it if they weren’t.
They both crawled into bed at the same time, from the corner of his eye he caught sight of the creamy skin on her thighs. The shorts were so short they revealed a hint of her butt cheeks. But it was enough. More than enough.
He exhaled a throaty groan and yanked the covers over himself quickly, an attempt to hide his impending erection. After switching off the lamp on the nightstand, he laid on his back, propping an arm behind his head. He stared at the glowing ceiling as the pool in the courtyard reflected against it.
Kelsey was quiet. Something of an anomaly for her. But he felt her eyes pressing into him like a drill press squeezing against a piece of wood. Almost as if she was waiting for him to say something.
Risking a glance at her, he regretted it instantly, the way she looked at him sent him into a trance that had his head reeling. This was Kelsey. His best friend. He had no right wanting her in this way.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered.
He turned to face her then, laying on his side and propping his arm underneath his head. Her face revealed a kind of exhaustion that shouldn’t exist. It was unfair, her situation. Everyone counting on her like they did. The last thing he wanted was to be another thing begging for her attention.
