“Running away?” Joel asked without opening his eyes. He’d been aware of her careful movements. Sleep hadn’t been a possibility for him. He’d been too focused on her. On the insane pleasure they’d had together.
In the aftermath, he’d ditched the condom. Come back to the bed. Pulled her into his arms. He wanted to go again. Over and over. But pushing for that hadn’t seemed…hell, he didn’t know what it had seemed. Gentlemanly? Since when was he a fucking gentleman? Or maybe pushing to go again had seemed too savage. Too hungry.
When it came to Chloe, he was finding that he was rather savage. I need her.
He hadn’t pushed. He’d just held her a moment. Her breathing had eased. Her hand had pressed to his chest, over the scars as if they weren’t even there.
She doesn’t care.
He’d been sure that she’d drifted to sleep. Holding her that way, it had seemed almost soothing for him. He hadn’t actually slept with anyone since his attack. His eyes had slid closed, and he’d been more relaxed than he could remember…
Until she started to slip away.
“Hardly running,” Chloe replied. “I was more planning on tip-toeing in the hopes that I wouldn’t wake you.”
His eyes opened. His head turned toward her. He’d left the bedside lamp on, and he could see her clearly.
Fuck. She was standing naked near the side of the bed.
“Just getting my clothes. Dressing. Going back to my room.” She scooped up her shirt. Frowned at it. “Still wet. Do you mind if I just borrow one of your shirts?”
She was beautiful. Perfect. Those breasts. The flare of her hips.
“Joel? Do you mind if I use one of your shirts?”
He’d prefer she stay naked but… “Help yourself.”
She dug in a nearby drawer and pulled out one of his old college shirts. When she put it on, the shirt swallowed her, falling way past mid-thigh and scooping off one shoulder.
The shirt shouldn’t have been sexy. It was old and faded. Had a few holes in it. But on her…Better than any negligee.
What was up with him having that thought? But there was just something about seeing her in his shirt.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” Her head tilted. She studied him and for one second—
Click, click—
He stopped. Shut down the thought. She was damn well no robot. She’d burned hell-hot in his arms, and he wanted her, again and again.
“I’m looking at you like this…” Joel explained in a voice deepened by need, “because I want you again.”
She bit her lower lip.
“And you’re running away. So…”
“I’m not running away. I was going back to my room. I wasn’t sure how you’d feel about someone sleeping in the bed with you all night. And sleeping is…personal.”
Joel laughed. “But fucking isn’t?”
She looked down.
Shit. Had he just hurt her feelings? “Chloe, I didn’t mean—”
“Sometimes, I have nightmares. They can be pretty intense. I’ve even been known to…hit or attack the person with me.”
His brows climbed.
“I thought it would be better if I slipped away. You seemed so peaceful that I thought you were asleep and you wouldn’t even notice that I’d left.”
He had been feeling peaceful. Not because he’d been asleep, though, but because she’d been in his arms. Now he sat up. The sheets bunched around his waist.
“Didn’t think you’d enjoy getting a fist to the face.” A shrug from Chloe as her gaze slowly rose. “Trying to leave on a high note, as it were.”
“What do you have nightmares about?”
Her long lashes flickered. “Is this the part where I’m supposed to say…tell me yours, and I will tell you mine?”
“Chloe…” He didn’t talk about his nightmares. Sure, he’d gone to see a shrink after the attack and killing. But he’d gotten nothing from good old Gordo.
Nothing good. Only more bad. But, no, he didn’t want to think about that part. About how Gordo thought he was some kind of ticking time bomb. When you’re pushed too hard, your psyche will break. You will break.
“I think we may be more alike than you initially realized, Joel. We both like to keep things inside.” She returned to the bed. Stared down at him. “It’s late. We should both get some sleep.”
“I’ll walk you back.”
“You don’t have to—”
He climbed out of the bed. She backed up. He stood toe-to-toe with her. “If you’re not staying in my bed, the least I can do is walk you home.”