Page 130 of The Trouble With Bad Boys

He steps into the bathroom, and I hear him open a linen closet before returning a few seconds later, holding a stack of sheets and a pillowcase.

“Umm, what are you doing?” I question, watching as he begins removing the sheets from his bed and replacing them with fresh ones.

“Getting you new sheets?” he says, with a hint of a questioning tone, like he doesn’t understand why I’m asking. “There are clean towels and washcloths in the linen closet. You can use my shower too. I’m sure you have better hair and body wash products. You’re welcome to use what I have in there, though.”

He pulls a blanket out of the storage bench at the end of his bed and sets it down.

“If there’s anything else you need, don’t hesitate to ask.”

I study him as he pulls a pair of sweats out of the dresser and heads for the door.

“Wait! Where are you going? Aren’t you sleeping in your bed too?”

Colter smirks and shakes his head. “You thought I was gonna sleep in here with you?”

Well… I mean, yes? This isn’t what I expected when he offered me a place to stay.

“Well, where are you gonna sleep then?”

I let my eyes roam over his body, imagining a man of his size trying to sleep on the couch for the week.

“Don’t worry about me. We have a pull-out bed I can sleep on.”

“A pull-out bed? You’ve gotta be kidding. I can sleep there, and you can take your room. You’ve been kind enough to offer me a place to crash, and I didn’t mean to kick you out of your own bed.”

He rolls his sweats, gripping them in his large fist. I think about the size of his hands alone when he steps toward me, grasping my hip to stop me.

His voice drops low. “Absolutely not, you’re a guest. I told you I had a room for you, and I meant it. I have no problem taking the pull-out. I’d feel better if you slept in here. I’ll be fine.”

“Okay, well, why don’t you sleep in your bed with me.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea…”

I wince at the pang in my chest, the sting of rejection hitting hard.

“I don’t know what you’re thinking right now, but I can assure you if you think I don’t want to sleep next to you, you’re wrong.”

I lift my chin, our eyes locking. “So why won’t you, then?”

“You’ve had a few drinks tonight, and I don’t want to do anything you might regret in the morning.”

“Now you’re just teasing me.”

He sighs. “I’m serious.”

“I am too,” I defend. “I guess after all the little touches and holding my hand, I didn’t expect you to turn me down. It’s fine, though. I get it. You can take the pull-out, and I guess I’ll sleep in this humungous bed by myself.”

He squeezes his eyes shut and shakes his head.

“I’m not rejecting you, Ava. You have no idea how hard this is for me. This has nothing to do with not wanting you.”

At the mention of hard, my eyes lower to the front of his jeans, and Colter clears his throat. He’s right. The alcohol coursing through my system is giving me a sense of confidence I wouldn’t have otherwise.

I’ve never been one to be this outright obvious about my attraction, but there’s a lot about whatever this is with Colter that is all new territory for me too.

He leans his head down, pressing his lips against my cheek in a kiss. An involuntary shiver spreads through me, a small gasp echoing in the quiet room.

“Good night, Ava,” Colter whispers.

---