My gaze sought her of its own volition, but I regretted it the second I saw her. Grae was in silvery-gray silk sleep shorts and a matching tank top with slender straps that ghosted over her petite form. My back teeth ground together. “What are you wearing?”
She glanced down. “My pajamas.”
“That’swhat you sleep in?”
She shrugged. “It’s cozy.”
That was notcozy. That would haunt my damn dreams for all eternity. My cock pressed against my joggers, and I muttered a curse, sitting up. “I need to go.”
“Whatever,” she mumbled, heading out of the kitchen.
Hell. I was making everything worse. I stood, gathered my bag, and straightened the cushions on the couch. Then I headed for the door, arming the alarm and locking the door handle so it would catch when I closed it.
I strode to my SUV like the hounds of hell were on my heels. And maybe they were. That image of Grae was more than I could take.
Cracking my neck, I climbed behind the wheel. I needed a stiff shot of whiskey. But seeing as it was seven a.m., I’d have to settle for the strongest cup of coffee I could find.
I headed for The Brew, pulling into a spot a few stores down. I slid out of my SUV and headed for the quaint coffee shop. The space reminded me of Grae—all colorful with mismatched décor. And it had a vitality that was so similar to hers.
A bell jingled as I opened the door. The space was already about half-full of locals getting a fix before work and tourists heading out for their outdoor adventures.
My eyes burned as I got in line. I’d slept like crap, tossing and turning, haunted by dreams of Grae. What had I been thinking suggesting this ruse?
“You look rough, man.”
I turned at the sound of Nash’s voice. He ambled toward me, Maddie at his side. “Gee, thanks.”
He chuckled. “What did you get up to last night? One too many beers?”
Maddie pressed her lips together to keep from laughing. “I doubt it was that.”
Nash’s gaze snapped to his fiancée. “What do you—?”
He cut his sentence off and then made a gagging noise. “I think I just lost my appetite.”
The laugh finally escaped Maddie as she patted Nash’s chest. “You never lose your appetite.” She glanced my way. “What did you and Grae do last night?”
“Just remember I’m her brother, and there are things I never need to know,” Nash growled.
I choked on a laugh. “Noted.” I turned to Maddie. “Gigi decimated some mannequin named Bob, and then we ate pizza.”
Maddie grinned. “Was she pissed at you? She only brings out Bob when she’s really mad. She offered to put Nash’s face on it for me a couple of months ago.”
Nash reared back. “You wanted to throw knives at me?”
Maddie’s eyes danced with humor. “Let’s be honest. You played indifferent for a long time, mister. Made me think you only ever saw me as a friend. You deserved a few knives.”
Nash wrapped her in his arms and brushed his lips across hers. “But it was worth the wait, wasn’t it?”
She melted into him. “A million times over.”
My heart rate jacked up, panic gripping my chest. I cleared my throat. “Please, don’t make me vomit before I’ve had my coffee.”
Nash shook his head. “Just you wait. You’ll be worse than me in no time.”
Panic dug its claws in deeper. That would never happen. Couldn’t. I knew what it was like to lose someone who meant everything to me. I’d barely survived. The only option was to have places you didn’t let people into and impenetrable walls.
Maddie’s smile widened. “This is going to be fun to watch.”
