Page 29 of The One Who Won’t Get Away
But I couldn't say that, or it might get weird.Him knowing about everything that had happened was bad enough without me telling him I still got scared sometimes.
We hit our floor.The hallway was carpeted in a color I refused to name and a pattern designed by someone with a grudge against human happiness.There was a soda machine halfway down, and our room was at the very end, right next to the fire exit.Perfect.
Nick unlocked the door and stepped aside so I could go in first.I did, dropping my backpack on the single armchair by the window.The room was exactly as promised with one queen bed, made up with a precision that bordered on military.The TV hung right above the large dresser.There was a tiny table with two hard chairs.And there was nowhere else to sleep.
Nick followed me in with bags in hand.He set them both on the dresser, then ran a hand over his face; the first sign of actual fatigue since we'd left New York.
"You want the bed?"he asked."I can grab a cot from the front desk."
"Don't be ridiculous," I said."It's just a bed.And we're both adults.Unless you're planning to get handsy in your sleep?"
He snorted."I'm more likely to kick you off.I move around a lot."
"Good.Keeps me from getting too comfortable," I said, but inside I was a ball of nerves.
I didn’t sleep with men.Sex, sure, I could do that, but sleeping?Hell no.
I kicked off my shoes, then checked out the bathroom.It was standard issue: white tiles, a towel rack, everything bolted down.The only surprise was that there were actually two disposable toothbrushes in the little cup.Someone must've really cared about customer service.
I came back out to find Nick staring at the bed like it was a loaded gun.
"Hey," I said."Is this going to be a problem?"
He blinked, as if I startled him."No.Just thinking."
"About what?The trauma of sleeping next to me?"
He smiled, but it was thin."Just if my boss finds out, he's going to have some words about witnesses, agents, and compromising situations."
I held up my hand."I promise to tell him lies, lies, and nothing but the lies.You slept on a cot made of holy water and bibles.I'm not going to get you in trouble."
He nodded."Thanks."
I sat on the edge of the bed, then fell backward, arms spread out.The mattress was actually comfortable.
"See?"I said, "Perfectly harmless."
He went over to the window, pulled the blackout curtain shut, even though the street below was empty, save for a squad car idling by a fire hydrant.
"Do you want to shower first, or should I?"Nick asked, turning back.
I gasped in mock outrage."Ladies first."
He grinned, a real one this time, and I felt the heat flood my neck.Why did he have to be so...so Nick.Ugh, I clearly didn’t bring enough panties with me because one smile from him, and they were ruined.
I grabbed my pajamas—if you could call a t-shirt and shorts pajamas—then ducked into the bathroom.I let the hot water run, let it thrum against my skull, and tried to scrub off the anxiety that was starting to pool beneath my sternum.
Spoiler alert: it didn’t work, so I just washed off the sweat and got out.I toweled off, dressed, then stared at myself in the mirror.My hair looked like I'd just lost a cage fight.My eyes were dark but clear.I didn't look scared.Not yet.But what would they show tomorrow if we found that house?
When I came out, Nick was perched on the windowsill, scrolling through his phone.He looked up and gave a little half-smile, the one that said he noticed my bad hair but wasn't going to comment.
"Your turn," I said.
He ducked into the bathroom, leaving the door open a crack.He didn't take long—efficient as ever, probably a holdover from the Navy.When he came out, his hair was damp, and he was shirtless, wearing only boxers.
I averted my eyes, but not before clocking the delicious muscles on his chest and shoulders and arms and abs...damn, the man was a danger to my panties.
"Sorry," he said, and pulled the shirt over his head.
