Wild Men of Alaska Collection - By Helmer, Tiffinie Page 0,42

wasn’t lost on her that she had no problem being half-dressed or even naked in front of Lynx before, and now that he knew her intimately, she needed to cover up.

As she entered the bathroom and started the shower, muscles that hadn’t been used in a while ached for a soak in a hot tub. She didn’t have time for that kind of indulgence with Lynx still out there. Part of her wished he’d be gone when she finished. The other part called her a coward. Was she really hiding in the bathroom because the sex had been too good?

God, she was messed-up.

Lynx covered his face with his hands. He should’ve handled that better. Damn it, he’d scared her. He’d come on too strong, too extreme. It had been too soon to take their relationship into the bedroom.

Hell, what relationship?

He’d stood her up on their first date, dunked and abandoned her on their second, and couldn’t talk her into keeping her door open long enough to get a third.

So what was he doing here lying on her bed? Something had to be going his way, and it wasn’t BW’s involvement.

Could she care about him too?

Women didn’t usually have sex with men unless their heart was somehow involved. At least, that’s what his sisters always said. He didn’t know what to believe. He’d been with women who wanted him because he was the big Alaskan Native. Women could be as callous as men. But Eva didn’t fall into that category, he’d bet his life on it. She was shaken up. What had happened between them had blown her mind too.

He sat up and looked around the room. Clothes were flung everywhere, the bed a rumpled mess. Since he’d done most of the flinging, he could straighten up.

One thing for certain, he wasn’t leaving until they ironed out where they both stood with each other.

Whether Eva liked it or not.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Lynx was dressed and in the kitchen when Eva entered wearing a short, azure silk Japanese robe that complimented the violet of her eyes. She hastily tied the belt when she saw him, which answered his question if she was naked under it or not. He wanted the woman who had no problem stripping down in front of him when she needed stitches.

“I thought you left.” She fluffed her damp hair.

“Not until we talk.” He flipped the grilled cheese sandwiches he was cooking and tried not to feel the sting of her frown. “Besides, while I’m here, I might as well remove your stitches.” Her eyes widened and he had to bite back a smile.

“No, that’s okay. I can take care of it.”

“Eva, you can’t reach them.”

“Seriously, I can do it.”

He moved the sandwiches to the plates he’d set out earlier, turned off the gas stove, and faced her. “I stitched you up, therefore, I’m duty sworn to remove them.” Besides, he didn’t want anyone else seeing her sweet backside but him.

“Fine. Can we eat first? I’m starving.”

Once again he bit back a smile. While he enjoyed the ballsy woman he’d first met, this shy and cautious woman charmed him too. He’d taken control by sleeping with her. Now she was the one off balance. He brought the plates to the small table and remained standing until she took a seat.

She adjusted the hem on the robe to cover more of her legs as she sat, but the silky material slid back up her thighs. Rather than fight the fabric, she scooted her chair farther under the table. He sat across from her, wondering what she was going to do next. He was at a loss of what to do with himself. It would help if he knew more about her.

She picked up a triangle of her sandwich that he’d cut into fourths and met his stare. “You are sooo not my type,” she blurted out, before taking a bite.

Well, he could have done without knowing this. “What is your type?”

“I don’t know.” She dropped her sandwich and buried her hands in her hair. “I thought I did, but all the men I’ve loved have turned out to be gay.”

Did she love him? Had that been a slip?

“You are not gay,” she continued. Though this wasn’t a question, it sounded tentative as though she wasn’t convinced.

“Damn right I’m not gay.” He was willing to prove it over and over again until she had no doubt in her soul. Skeletons were rattling in her closet, and usually this was the time he stood