Page 36 of Mine Forever
My lips curve in a smarmy smile. “Oh, sweetheart. I learned from the best; I’ll give you that much.”
She lets go of the bag and rubs her forehead, a sigh heavy on her lips. “Fine. Take it.”
“You sure? Cause if you want, you can take it.”
“Chase.” Her voice breaks and, son of a bitch, it guts me. “Please. It’s been a long day, and I’m exhausted. I don’t care if I sleep on that couch or in the bedroom; just please show me where you want me.”
I nearly bite my tongue in half to keep the automatic response ofin my bed underneath mefrom spilling out.
That would be a fucking disaster on so many levels.
Instead, I nod and turn away, leading her to the one room in the house she needs to stay the farthest away from.
My bedroom.
At the end of the hallway, I open the double doors that lead into the room.
“This is a beautiful room,” she says, walking across to the wall of sliding glass doors looking out over the now stormy Atlantic.
“I like it.”
She turns away from the window and glances around the room.
Her spine straightens when her gaze lands on my dresser with some personal items on it and a pair of pajama pants on the end of the bed.
She spins in a slow circle, wringing her hands.
The fact that she’s uncomfortable comes off her in waves.
I sigh and shove my hands into my pockets.
Okay, I’ll admit my default mode when it comes to Eden is asshole.
But for some reason, seeing her uncomfortable in this situation isn’t bringing me the usual fucked-up joy I get by pressing her buttons.
It just makes me feel disgusted with myself.
Her shoulders slump and she rubs her forehead. “I can’t take your bed. Seriously, I’ll be just fine with the couch.”
“Yes, you can take my bed. I’ve got dibs on the sofa.”
It’ll make my shoulder hurt like a bitch for days, but I’ve been through worse.
“Chase, I?—”
“How about this? For tonight, you take the bed, okay? If you’re still hell-bent on not sleeping there tomorrow, we’ll trade. Deal?”
I hold out my hand, which she eyes for a moment, before slipping her slim hand in mine.
Touching her palm to mine is like being shocked. Dangerous and something I should stay away from, but I can’t help but want more of it.
“Fine, deal.”
Unable to help it, I rub my thumb over the back of her hand, just to feel her skin.
A small gasp escapes her lips, and she lets go of my hand.
Nice work trying to make her feel comfortable, you jerk.
