found the pictures on her dresser.
She closed the door behind her, locking out the world. The fact that she was alone in a bedroom with Kai was not lost on her. Alone and with every intention of getting into bed with him. Her room seemed smaller than before, with his big body taking up most of the space. “It’s me and my mom and my dogs. The pug was named Jinx, the pit bull mix was Cuddles, and the one I’m holding was named Butch.”
“You named the tiny Chihuahua Butch?”
She shrugged. “Better than that. He was a girl, but she humped everything she could so I think she was gender confused. I had a lot of dogs growing up.”
He nodded to the other pictures of pups she had framed around the room. “Obviously. Were you the girl who picked up strays?”
“I guess I tend to like animals more than people. I’m the person who stops traffic to move the turtle out of the road. I always wonder if the turtle is pissed because maybe he knew where he was going and I take him someplace different.” She’d always wanted to write a kids’ film about that possibility.
“You don’t keep animals here.”
She missed them with all her heart and soul, but it was another piece of herself that seemed lost. “Well, I work a lot.”
“You work at a place where the boss would pretty much let you do anything you like. If you want to bring a dog to work, do it. As long as the pup’s trained, it would probably be nice to have around. Which side do you sleep on?” He pulled off his jacket, laying it over the small chair tucked under her desk.
“Uhm, the right mostly. I think I move around a lot.”
“Then this should be fun. I’m very warm and cuddly, so if you end up wrapped around me, it’s going to be your fault because I’m a polite sleeper. I’m very Zen when I sleep.” His shirt was next to go.
Oh, that man was gorgeous. He might not be as cut as his brother, but she preferred his lean body. He did as much yoga as he lifted weights. Kai was flexible in more ways than one.
“Are you all right? I can go,” he offered.
“We’re friends. Friends can sleep together without sex. I’ll be right back. I’m going to brush my teeth. Make yourself comfortable.” She fled into her tiny bathroom even as she saw his hands go to the waistband of his jeans.
What was she doing? Was she actually going to hop in bed with Kai? Maybe she should sleep on the floor.
Like Kai would accept that. She looked at herself in the mirror. Kai obviously needed a friend. He wouldn’t be here if he didn’t need her. He didn’t make a habit of showing up and needing a sleeping buddy. If she’d shown up on his doorstep and needed a cuddle, he would very likely open his arms and give it to her. Instead, she’d shown up with a junkie sister and he’d handled it, so she was going to brush her teeth and get her ass out there and sleep with her boss.
Five minutes later she walked out of the bathroom having made herself as hygienically ready for a sleep cycle as possible. Kai had turned off all the lights with the exception of the one by her side of the bed. He was lying back, the sheets halfway down his chest, and he was not wearing a shirt.
“Please tell me you’ve got something on under there.”
“I’m in my boxers. Do you want me to wear jeans?” He turned toward her, propping up his head in his hand.
He looked like the best man treat ever offered to a girl. “No, it’s fine.” She could handle it. He wasn’t wearing anything except his likely very thin boxers. It would be good. This would prove once and for all that they were friends and no amazingly hot spanking could change that. She slid into bed and turned out the light. “Good night, Kai.”
She lay there for a second. It was so odd to have someone in bed with her.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were a masochist?”
Should she snore? Maybe if she gave him a couple of good snores, he would think she was asleep.
“Were you afraid of me? Don’t answer with arrogant Kori. I’m honestly asking. I told you I was a sadist when I first met you. You nodded and ignored me