Page 24 of Hot Momosa

“That’s complete bullshit. You had every right to be concerned.” He raised his hand as if to brush the hair from my face but stopped short. “It’s been a long day. Why don’t we turn in and finish this conversation in the morning?”

A shower and a warm bed sounded like heaven. A shower and a warm bed with Leo Marchionni would be a completely different kind of bliss—a short-lived pleasure like pigging out on chocolate. I’d love every second of the silky sweet taste, but would wake up with a stomachache and a few extra pounds’ worth of regret.

As if he’d read my mind, Leo sighed. “It wasn’t a proposition, Dahl. You can take my room. I’ll bunk with the little guy.”

“You don’t have to do that. Sharing a bed with him is like sleeping with a mini-tornado. I’ll crash on the couch.”

“Like mother like son. I seem to recall you hogging more than your fair share of the bed and covers.” He chuckled, but the concern in his expression remained.

Memories of the two of us tangled in the sheets flashed unwelcome through my mind. Suddenly, who slept where didn’t matter as much as putting some distance between myself and Leo.

He sighed. “It’s no big deal. He sleeps with me when he spends the night.”

“No wonder I had such a hard time getting him to sleep in his room.” I wanted to glare, but it took too damned much energy.

Leo opened his mouth to speak, but I held up my hand.

“It’s fine. Now that I know you’re involved in his life, we can discuss things like potty training and bedtime routines.” Every muscle in my body protested as I stood. “I’ll take the master bedroom. Can I borrow a pair of sweats? I’d love a shower.”

“Your clothes are still here.”

“You kept them all this time?” I couldn’t decide how I felt about that. On one hand, it was endearing; on the other, it made no sense. He’d avoided me for an entire year, but kept my clothes in his closet?

“I couldn’t bring myself to throw away your toothbrush and girly lotion either.” He scratched his rock-hard abs—flashing me his navel in the process.

I’d always been a sucker for the dark line of hair that started at his belly button and disappeared beneath his low-slung PJ pants.

Happy trail. Indeed.

“Keep looking at me like that and we’ll end up sharing a bed.” Leo winked.

I jerked my head up. “I wasn’t…I mean…” I huffed. “I left in such a hurry I didn’t grab my purse or Gunnar’s diaper bag. He’s going to need—”

“He has some clothes, toys, and diapers here.” Leo set his hands on my shoulders. “I’ll get whatever you need from your place as soon as you’re out of the shower.”

My heart skidded to a halt at the thought of him leaving me and Gunnar alone in his condo. “Don’t go tonight. We’ll be fine until tomorrow.”

“Dahl, you’re safe here. We’re four stories off the ground. No one’s coming in my windows. You have to have the code or call to get inside the first floor. Even if someone slipped inside the building, they’d have to get through my security system. Not to mention the Three Poodle-teers will go nuts if anyone besides the dog walker comes to the door.”

We’ll be okay. The stalker won’t come here.

That sounded well and good, but I’d passed the point of rational thought. “You can’t go to my house. What if the stalker is still there? There could be reporters.”

“I’ll be back in twenty minutes tops.” He drew me closer and pressed his forehead to mine. “No one will see me. I’ll park by Mrs. Simmons’ place and go in through the back.”

I swallowed past the emotions clogging my throat and nodded.

“You’re trembling.” Leo slid his hands down my arms. “Forget it. I’m not leaving you. I’ll have Stuart or one of Marco’s guys take care of it.”

“Thanks.” I pressed my lips together, stiffened my spine, and pulled away from him.

He cocked his head. “You don’t have to do that, you know.”

“What?”

Leo motioned in my general direction. “Pretend you’re made of steel.”

---