Page 35 of Trouble Walked In

She made a sound that was meant to be some sort of outraged cry, but then stunned silence took control of her mouth. His back side was just as…damn, it was as fine as the front.

She swallowed hard and willed herself toward the door, but for some reason her body refused to cooperate.

Renic turned around.

Her eyes widened and her pulsed kicked into overdrive as she took in the rest of him. He was not as cold as she thought he was. She stared, unable to pull her gaze away.

He tossed his underwear onto the bed and smirked. He picked up the fresh clothes he’d pulled out of the suitcase and sauntered up to her. “Mind if I shower and get dressed? I know it’s a lot to look at, and I hate to deprive you of the view until you’re ready. I’m happy to wait as long as you want.”

“I…you…what…,” Lizzie stammered.

“Waltz into a man’s room first thing in the morning, and he’ll take it as a request to see him naked.” He went into the bathroom. “If you’d like to see more of the show feel free to join me in the shower.”

He grinned maliciously and shut the door.

Lizzie quickly moved away from the bathroom, as if putting distance between herself and the naked man on the other side would somehow erase the image of him that had burned into her brain. She went to stand in front of the open windows to let the cold air hit her hot face.

What the hell was she doing? She should have just stayed in the hall. She should have just called to wake him up. It wasn’t like she didn’t have his phone number. Hell, she should have just refused to let him stay, period.

Cold air from the open window penetrated the flannel shirt she wore, making her shiver. She couldn’t believe he’d actually stayed here all night. She shut the windows, then turned, feeling awkward. Her plan to whisk him away early and keep him away from Della for most of the day now felt childish and stupid.

Could she really spend that much time with him?

Would she ever be able to look at him again without picturing him naked?

Flustered, she straightened the blankets on the bed, then let her hand linger on the warm spot he’d left behind. She could imagine him lying there, naked against the sheets. The fantasy swirled around her, despite the anger she felt toward him.

He was a jerk.

He ruined her family.

Yet…

The bathroom door opened. She jumped and snatched her hand away from the bed while heat rose in her cheeks.

Renic had put on jeans and a maroon sweater that set off his dark blue eyes perfectly. His socks were now bright red with yellow dots, she noticed. He’d brushed his hair and shaved, which left her feeling vaguely disappointed.

Renic raised his eyebrows at her. “Thinking of going backto bed? You might want a different room. It’s a bit drafty in this one.”

“No.” She shook her head. She gathered her scattered thoughts and stalked toward the door. “We need to get going.”

Chapter Ten

“How can the entire town be sold out of holiday lights?” Renic asked. They’d been driving around for hours, visited seven different box stores and three local retailers, and still didn’t have enough lights, according to Lizzie. He thought for sure she’d made up this little escapade as an excuse to get him out of the house, but now the woman seemed determined to buy every strand of lights in the entire region.

“It’s a small town,” Lizzie said, as if that explained anything and everything.

“Where to now?” Renic asked. He’d used every ounce of patience he had to get this far, and he wasn’t sure how much more he could take. Every time he tried to talk about Della, she either didn’t answer, changed the subject, or turned up the music. He’d have been better off staying behind.

“We need to head toward Rochester.” Lizzie gestured with her phone. “Take the second right.”

They were driving on a two-lane road in the middle ofnowhere. It had a ditch on both sides and very little signage. There were no other cars on the road, and he couldn’t remember when they last saw a house or even a gas station, let alone a crossroads of any sort.

“How far ahead?”

“A little ways. Not too far.” Lizzie returned her attention to her phone.

She’d been texting nonstop for the past hour. He’d left her alone, thinking she had business or wedding issues to deal with, but now he thought she was just using it as an excuse to avoid talking to him.

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