Laiken
Kia’s teeth scrape along her bottom lip as her gaze flicks down the hall and then back to me. “Only if you’re sure.”
“I am.” The words shoot out of my mouth, weighted with more certainty than I’m ready to examine.
She studies me, as if searching for even a shadow of doubt. Whatever she finds in my expression must be enough to alleviate her lingering questions, because she nods once.
“Then, yes, I’ll stay at your place.”
Relief hits so hard I almost sway with the weight of it. I let myself feel it for exactly half a second before forcing it back down again. I’m pretty sure having this woman around 24/7 is going to be trouble. The kind I don’t need near my life when I’m in the middle of a custody battle.
But that doesn’t stop me from clearing my throat. “Come on. I’ll show you to your room.”
She follows me down the hallway, her footsteps barely audible against the floor. I’m painfully aware of her proximity. Of how easily I could turn and she’d run straight into me.
The guest room is directly across from mine.
Is it too damn close for my peace of mind?
Without a doubt.
The room is spacious, with city views that stretch beyond the glass. She steps inside and sets her purse on the edge of the bed before looking around with curiosity.
“I don’t have anything to sleep in,” she murmurs, more to herself than me. “I’ll have to grab my clothes from Oliver’s place tomorrow.”
I aim for casual, and miss by a mile. “What do you usually sleep in?”
She arches a brow as her gaze slices to mine. “Not naked, if that’s what you’re thinking.”
The words land wrong, and they’re much too vivid.
Heat crawls up the back of my neck as I stare a second too long before forcing my gaze away. “I’ll grab a T-shirt for you.”
Her lips twitch. “Thanks.”
With nothing left to say, I retreat like a coward. Or an adolescent out of his depth, which is ridiculous.
Once I hit the hallway, I drag a hand down my face. “Jesus Christ. Real smooth, Lennox.”
For one second, my mind betrays me. All I see are long legs, bare skin, and soft curves.
“Don’t even go there,” I mutter to myself.
Inside my bedroom, I beeline for the dresser, tugging a Railers T-shirt from the drawer before detouring to the bathroom for a spare toothbrush and a wrapped bar of soap. I hesitate, then grab a couple of towels. I don’t remember how well stocked the en suite in her room is.
When I walk back into my bedroom, I find Kia standing near the dresser, and grind to a halt.
She gives me a slight smile that’s filled with uncertainty. “I hope you don’t mind I’m here.”
Her proximity sends a rush of awareness through me. “No. It’s fine.”
I step closer before passing her the shirt, towels, toothbrush, and soap. Our fingers brush during the exchange, and even though it’s a barely-there touch, the contact is electric.
When she inhales, I feel it straight through my bones.
I search my brain for something to say. “For as long as you’re here, I want you to be comfortable.”
Her smile deepens. “Thank you. I appreciate that.”
