Page 22 of Roses for Rosie

Why can’t Rosie Todd have a little fun for once? I’ve been trapped inside my father’s house, living with his rules forever. All of my friends have had boyfriends, had crushes, had one-night stands. I’ve always been too scared to take the chance though, too afraid of risking my father’s wrath to allow a romance for myself.

If anyone can stand up to my father though, it’s Adam. He doesn’t seem even the tiniest bit intimidated by my father’s behavior. He could protect me. He said it himself. He’s just going to talk to my father and lay down the law.

I laugh to myself picturing that chat. Adam is towering over my father brandishing his fist while my father looks confused at the turned tables. He’s usually the one doing the brandishing.

Maybe it’s time. Time for me to break free, to come out of my cocoon. Maybe tonight is the night I’ll finally lose my V-card.

Then reality comes crashing down around me. Have I completely lost my mind?

Sleeping with Adam Smythe is not an option. He invited me here to protect me from my drunk father, not to hop into bed with me. This is not one of his novels. This is my shit show of a life and things like getting to sleep with uber-hot, famous, rich guys do not happen in my life.

I should just get a good night’s sleep in a night quiet room with a huge soft bed and when I wake up tomorrow, this interlude will be over and I can get back to the business of living, working, and taking care of my dad. It’s just one night.

I hang my head low as I pull back the sheets on the bed. This is not going to end well, but there’s nothing I can do about it right now.

I sit down on the edge of the bed and swing my legs up and under the covers. As I do, the mattress falls out from under me and I’m swallowed by the crevasse in the middle of the mattress. At my yelp, Adam comes rushing out of the bathroom.

In an instant, he is by my side, gripping my arm firmly and pulling me back to my feet.

We stand next to each other gaping at the bed. The frame has cracked down the middle leaving the two sides stuck up in the air while the middle of the mattress sags between them.

“What the hell happened?” he asks, looking from me to the bed.

“Maybe the ten little monkeys stayed here last night.”

He looks at me like I’m nuts.

“You know, the old nursey rhyme. One fell off and bumped his head.”

He continues to stare at me blankly. I roll my eyes at him. “Some connoisseur of fine literature you are. What kind of author are you? You don’t even know your nursery rhymes.”

“I’m a contemporary romance author. We don’t have to know nursery rhymes.”

We both look at the one remaining bed and then at each other. Maybe I could just push the sides of the bed frame out of the way and sleep on the mattress on the floor for tonight. I lean down and start to yank on one side of the bed frame but lose my footing and end up on my ass.

“We can share,” Adam suggests, trying valiantly not to laugh at me.

“Oh, god.”

“I’ve been told good looking, but I wouldn’t call myself a god. If you want to though, it’s OK with me.”

I bury my head in my hands. “I’ll just sleep on the floor.”

“You will not sleep on the floor.”

“I will. It’s fine. Really.”

“Think for a minute about what is on the bottoms of people’s shoes.” He pauses. “Now think about rubbing your face in that filth all night.”

I quickly scramble to my feet, thoroughly disgusted.

“C’mon. I don’t bite,” he cajoles. “Not unless you want me to,” he adds with a wink.

“Fine.” I sigh and move around the far side of the other bed, climbing gingerly onto the mattress. I make myself as small as possible, clinging to the last six inches of space at the edge of the bed.

He laughs and slides between the sheets on the other side. To his credit, he doesn’t say another word. He just reaches over and turns off the bedside lamp.

Moments later his breath slows to a steady rhythm. At least one of us is going to get some sleep, I think as my leg cramps from my precarious hold on the bed.

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