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“I’m giving you one night.” I try to pin him with my I’m serious, and don’t you dare argue look, but Sasha only blinks those pretty eyes at me, pink lips spreading into a smile.
“One night is all I need,” he whispers.
Something about his words curls a shiver down my spine, and I look away again. I’m not falling under his spell. Not for a third time. It won’t happen. I’m too smart to fall into that trap again.
“You were gone for so long I didn’t think you were coming back.” He climbs out of Bob’s bed and stretches his arms over his head, the sight of the smooth, bare skin of his stomach impossible to look away from.
And I really fucking try.
“What are we going to do tonight?”
I pull my eyes up to meet his and don’t miss the way his arms are casually resting over his head. “Nothing.”
“But it’s our first sleepover.”
“First and only. Also not a sleepover.”
“What else would you call it?”
“You’re staying here until it’s safe to go home. Tomorrow.”
Sasha lets his arms drop. “Has anyone ever told you that you’re stubborn?”
I’m not getting into that with him. This back-and-forth he thinks he’s entitled to isn’t going to happen. I’m letting him stay here, and only because his place isn’t safe, which is more than enough without making plans to do things together. What exactly did he have in mind?
My days are structured. Methodical. And I want them to return to the dependability of the mundane.
“Where did you get the bed from?”
That question feels safe enough to answer. “Rooney.”
“I would have assumed Wilde.”
“Rooney is our supplies man.”
Sasha makes a pretty humming noise and sits on the side of my bed. Ankles crossed. Leaning on his hands. Taking up space like he’s allowed to do that.
He laughs. “I’m not going to contaminate it.”
I drag my glare away and go back to setting up.
“You all have, like, jobs? In the town.”
“You could say that.”
“And yours is growing the food?”
I pull out a sheet and cover the mattress with it. “No. We all grow the food. I protect it. Along with everything else in this town.”
“So … you’re the protector.”
“Yes.”
“Did you choose that?” I can feel his attention soaking into my skin. “Or did Wilde?”
“Wilde doesn’t tell me what to do.”
“Really? Because he seems like the boss out here.”
