Bonnie nodded slowly, too tired to argue with him, but didn’t move otherwise.
“Come on,” he insisted. When she still didn’t rise, he stood, pulling her up, his arms wrapping gently around her waist as he directed her towards the stairs and began climbing them with her.
With heavy eyes of her own, Penny squinted, focusing in on them, drowsily thinking how nice it would be to have those strong arms wrapped around her.
Her body gave a jolt, her mind coming awake as she realized where it was heading. She’d managed to keep it and her eyes firmly on the TV for the last few hours and wasn’t about to let herself slip now. She had shut out the foreignness of the room and the cloying images of the previous night that were prone to bring back her anxiety. She’d even managed to ignore the draw Finn’s presence had on her, concentrating solely on the comedy gold that was Paul Rudd and Jason Segel.
Dragging herself from the couch, she made her way to the kitchen to get a glass of water.
“She’s all tucked in then,” Finn said, finding her there.
“Thanks. I’m not even sure how I got her up the stairs last night. I don’t think I’d be able to do it again. I’m exhausted.”
“You look it,” he agreed.
“Ouch,” she feigned being offended.
“Your eyes are closing as we speak,” he explained.
“Oh,” she said, blinking and realizing he was right.
“Here,” he reached out his hand, “Give me your phone.”
“Huh?”
“Let me get your number and give you mine. In case you need something,” he explained. “We’ve already seen what an atrocious host Bonnie is.” His sea-green eyes lit up with humor.
Penny felt her body warm to it. “Oh, okay. Thanks.” She fumbled for her phone on the counter and eventually handed it over.
“Now. If you wouldn’t mind, I’d like to see you make your way upstairs as well, so I’m sure you can manage it.”
This seemed rather unnecessary until she took a step forward, tripping over her own feet.
His hands reached out, grabbing her forearms to steady her. The quiver that went through her was enough to rouse her in more ways than one. Only for a moment, though. Then she sank back into the stupor that was taking over. She’d never known jetlag was such a real thing.
“You okay?” He looked into her eyes, holding them with his own.
“Mm-hmmm,” she nodded. And she was. But she seemed unable to break the contact.
He withdrew his hands, and her arms instantly felt colder without his touch.
“Come on, Penny. Up the stairs.”
On slow feet, she headed in the direction he led her.
“There you are. Keep going,” he encouraged.
Her hand clasped the railing as she pulled her dragging body up.
“Almost there. Don’t worry, I’ll lock up behind me.”
His musical voice seemed to be saying lovely words, but she wasn’t really sure what they were anymore.
“Good girl yourself. Sweet dreams, Penny.”
She heard the faint click of the door shutting as she fell into bed.
Chapter 6
