Page 25 of Courting Gossip (Courting)
The poker wobbled as he put it back in the stand. It looked about as steady as he did on his feet. He rubbed the back of his neck. ‘We’ll pick this up again later. Right now, I need to catch a few hours of sleep.’
She turned so quickly, the hem of her short nightie caught air. ‘You haven’t slept yet?’
He was still alert enough that his gaze snapped down to her legs. ‘I had to get out in front of things.’
‘But…’ Now she felt guilty about sleeping so soundly. ‘I could have stayed up to help you.’
His gaze was dubious as it lifted.
‘I’m crafty,’ she insisted.
‘You’re distracting.’
Her cheeks turned pink, and it had nothing to do with the fire raging before her. Maybe he hadn’t forgotten about that kiss either.
‘What am I supposed to do while you sleep?’ she asked.
He stopped as if she’d stumped him again and looked around the house. How much time did he spend here? Did he live out of his office more than he lived here? ‘I don’t know. You could watch TV or read. There are books around.’
Her lips twisted. ‘I’m not much of a reader.’
He ran a hand through his hair. ‘Do whatever you want. Have your run of the place. Just don’t go wandering off.’
‘So I’m staying?’
He rubbed his temple again as if she was only making his headache worse. ‘For the time being.’
He moved past her and started down the hallway. ‘I’ll be up in a few hours.’
‘You need more sleep than that.’
He shook his head. ‘I need to stay out ahead of this. Besides, if I sleep too long now, I’ll be up all night. Then what would I do?’
She tapped her finger against her lips. ‘I can think of a few things.’
‘Bed,’ he said simply.
‘That’s one,’ she called.
‘Good night, Jenny.’
‘Good night, Brody. Sleep tight.’
* * *
Sleep tight. Like that would happen with her in his house.
Brody headed down the hallway to his bedroom and closed the door behind him. Adrenalin had carried him through the morning, but fatigue had leapt onto his back on the Metro ride back from DC. He’d had to crank Fall Out Boy to ear-splitting levels for the drive back from the lot where he’d left his car, but one step inside his house and his energy levels were spiking again.
Holy hell. He was a guy who prepared for contingencies, but who could have foreseen that he’d find her making herself at home, wearing that…that…that phenomenal achievement in lingerie design?
He ran a hand through his hair. He was only human.
He tossed his tie in the hamper and stripped off his jacket and dress shirt. She was right, it was way too warm in this place. He braced his hand against the wall and tried to rein himself in. He should have gone to his office and caught a few winks there. It would have been more convenient and definitely a lot smarter, but all morning he’d felt a crazy need to get back to her.
Because she was unpredictable – not because he was concerned or felt responsible for her or wanted to see her…
Although seeing her like that? It was a definite perk.
