and cotton shorts. He pulled the covers back, and she padded over and climbed into bed.
“How can I be this tired after sleeping most of the day?” she asked.
He tugged her so that he could spoon her and kissed her shoulder. “Because you haven’t slept enough in weeks. Your body is exhausted.”
“Can I apologize in advance for bolting upright in a few hours and scaring the hell out of you?”
He gave her a squeeze. “Nope. No need. If it happens, I’ve got you.”
“What if I get confused and slap you or punch you in the nose?” Her voice was soft but serious.
He chuckled. “Worse things have happened to me. I’ll survive.”
When she sighed and let her body relax, he kissed her neck. “Rest, baby. It’s okay. I don’t care if you wake up screaming. I’ll be right here.”
She nodded, and it didn’t take long for her to fall into a deep sleep.
He watched her for a while, the rise and fall of her chest, her parted lips, the way she curled into herself.
Yes, she still had secrets, but he could handle them. He knew he could. He could handle anything. She was precious and exactly what he wanted in a woman. No matter what had happened in her past, he would deal with it.
The real question was, could he live without ever knowing?
Chapter 13
The delicious smell of pastries pulled Bex out of sleep. For a moment, she glanced around, confused, but then remembered where she was. Bracken’s house. His bed. Another deep inhale brought the scent of coffee along with fresh-baked pastries.
She smiled as she slid from the bed and padded over to use the bathroom. She glanced down at her nightclothes and decided to leave them for now, but she did locate a hairband and headed for the kitchen while piling her hair up into a messy bun.
Bracken was at the island, and she was surprised to find the kitchen completely clean. The only indication he’d been baking was the scent and now the sight of the turnovers steaming in front of him as he carefully lifted them onto a cooling rack.
He glanced up and smiled. “Hey, sleepy. I tried to be as quiet as possible, but I can’t believe you slept through the mixer and all my banging around.”
“Mmm.” She drew in a long whiff as she leaned over what appeared to be one of her favorites, cherry turnovers. “The scent finally woke me as you took them out of the oven. Those look amazing.”
“Coffee?” he asked as he set the pan in the sink.
“Please.”
“Cream? Sugar?”
“A bit of each if you have them.” She climbed onto a bar stool, still marveling at his creation and the total lack of evidence. “Where is the mess?” she joked.
He chuckled as he slid a mug in front of her. “Not all of us get flour all over the kitchen and down our clothes when we bake,” he joked.
“Really?” She picked up the mug and took a sip. Perfect. “I thought it was a rule.”
“Nope. And I clean up as I go too.” He leaned a hip against the island close to her, nodding at the pastries. “Go ahead. Try one. Let’s see if you like my creations as much as I liked your scones.”
“I’m sure I will.” They were light and fluffy. They looked professional. She picked one up and bit into it, moaning around the first taste. “God, these are delicious.”
“I’m glad you like them.”
“Cherry is my favorite. Did you know that?”
“Nope. Got lucky.” He slid closer, set his mug down, and ran a hand up her back to cup her neck. His lips came down to take hers in a slow sensual kiss. “Good morning. How’d you sleep?”
Her eyes widened. “Oh, man. I slept all night, didn’t I? What time is it?”
“Nine. I thought you slept hard. You never moved, not until I eased out of the bed. I tried not to wake you.”
“I guess you didn’t. I was completely unaware.”
He grinned. “It’s settled then.”
“What’s settled?” She eyed him suspiciously.
“You should sleep with me every night. Apparently, I was a good luck charm.” He winked.
She rolled her eyes. “So cocky.”
“Yep.”
“Don’t you have to work?”
“Took the day off. I only work part-time anyway. Do you have to be anywhere today?”
“It would seem I don’t have to be anywhere ever.” That idea didn’t sit well with her, but it was a fact for now.
“Good. Let’s bake. We’ll make a list, hit the supermarket, and then bake amazing things all day.”
She giggled.