The Moth and the Flame (When Rivals Play #2) - B.B. Reid Page 0,92

door I hadn’t noticed a couple of feet from where I stood.

“There should be clean towels inside if you want to shower.”

“Sure. Thanks.” It was his turn to feel awkward although he hid it better as he continued to stand there. “Is there something else?” I peeked at him from under my lashes while trying to hide my smile. “Something you need?”

“No,” he answered tightly before backing up a step, turning, and swiftly heading for the door. The moment it clicked shut behind him, I groaned and sank onto the bed. My heart was pumping wildly, but at least it was still beating. Right now, it seemed Wren’s only concern was keeping it that way.

At least one of us had our priorities straight.

Half an hour later, I emerged from the bathroom, dripping wet from my long, hot shower and wrapped only in a fluffy pink towel. After searching my bag for five minutes straight, I realized with a deep groan that I was out of clean clothes. I was willing to bet Wren’s grandmother had a washer and dryer, but the tired ache in my bones wouldn’t even consider the thought of doing laundry tonight. The inviting bed beckoned, and after only a moment of contemplation, I undid the knot keeping my towel around me and padded to the bed with a sleepy grin.

I knew Wren wouldn’t approve, but it was late, and he was in evade mode, so I knew he wouldn’t be back tonight. After tossing all the tiny pillows onto the floor, I flipped back the quilt and slipped inside.

The cool covers lulled me to sleep in no time.

I MADE MY WAY DOWN the hall listening for any sign of life from Lou. The water from the shower had stopped almost an hour ago, but she hadn’t come looking for me like I thought she would.

Lou was safe for now, but that didn’t stop me from worrying, especially after the horror she’d witnessed. I wished to God that I’d been in those mountains. I wouldn’t have been able to stop their deaths from happening, but I could have prevented their suffering. Something told me Fox’s anger over my absence was the reason he’d resorted to such a cruel method.

“Lou?” I called as I pushed open the guest room door. I stopped short when I saw her cuddled under the blankets. For a second, not wanting a repeat of her episode back at that motel, I considered turning around and eating alone. I’d thrown some steaks on the grill while she showered, figuring she’d be hungry. There was no telling when she’d last eaten. With that thought, I crept to her bedside and called her name again. She needed to eat. When she didn’t awaken, I pressed my hand on her arm and shook her. “Lou.”

Her eyes cracked open a tiny bit, and seeing it was me, she immediately closed them again. “Go away,” she whined irritably before turning over and giving me her back.

“Come eat.”

“Sleeping,” she replied as if I couldn’t see that.

“I made steaks,” I told her, thinking it would entice her. Lou loved steak, probably more than I did. She didn’t respond, however, and when I heard her breathing deepen, I knew she’d fallen asleep again. Feeling my patience thinning, I decided to take matters into my own hands and gripped the blanket covering her. Before I could even consider the consequences, I gave it a hard yank until it left the bed completely.

Lou’s eyes popped open at the same time the quilt fell from my hand and into a heap on the floor.

Shit.

Shit. Fuck. No. Shit.

I wasn’t prepared. I felt like I’d swallowed my tongue. I’d seen Lou in various stages of undress before, but never had she been bared to me so completely. The curve of her ass alone had my heart beating dangerously out of control.

Before I could get the hell out of there, she sat up in the bed with her arms crossed over her ample chest. My mouth watered at the glimpse I got of her hard nipples.

“Why did you do that?” she shrieked.

“Where the fuck are your clothes?” I bellowed rather than answer her. Neither of us was right in this situation. I shouldn’t have taken liberties, and she shouldn’t have been naked.

Not when the last thread of my control was this frayed.

“Excuse me? I was covered and not to mention alone!” She then stood on her knees as if forgetting she was naked, and my gaze was drawn