Page 38 of Upshot

“Are you hungry?” he asks. He pulls a towel from the stand to wrap around his waist. Shame. I was enjoying the show. Okay, I can focus on something else for a few minutes. Like food.

“Starving.” I meet him at the steps where he hands me one of the towels.

“Do you want to go warm up in the shower while I see what’s to eat in the kitchen?” He slides the towel around my body. I’m about to suggest we forgo the food, and both move right onto the shower when my stomach rumbles.

“That answers that.” He laughs. With a gentle push, he steers me into the house. “Your bag is on the bed,” he calls from the kitchen.

Both of our bags are on the bed. The same bed. I try not to wonder if he has an ulterior motive for bringing me here. If it was sex, I just beat him to it.

I’m not sure I’m ready to share a bed though. I know that sounds crazy. I mean, why would it be a big leap from having sex? But it is. We’re just getting to know each other. I don’t want to do anything to set us back. I need to make sure I don’t do anything to make Rand change his mind about us cooperating with the baby. At least until I figure out how to navigate this.

The rain shower feels amazing. I stay under it way longer than I planned. I return to the kitchen just as Rand places something on the bar. He’s taken the time to slide on a pair of sweatpants and a T-shirt. Shame.

“Did you make nachos?” I ask. He smiles before pulling a bottle of water out of the refrigerator for me.

“That’s being generous. It’s just melted cheese on tortilla chips.” He sets a jar of picante in front of me.

“That’s gourmet. Thanks.”

Rand chuckles as he turns to pull another water out.

“Awkward yet?” I ask.

“Not even a little,” he says, turning back around. He pulls a chip out of the pile and pops it into his mouth. He chews in contemplative silence. “Actually,” he adds after swallowing, “this is one of the least awkward days I’ve had in a while. You’re easy to be around.”

“Really?”

“Of course, or I wouldn’t have stuck around the bar. I could have just apologized and left. But something about you kept me in that seat.” He pulls out another chip. I can’t help but smile. “This has been a really good day,” he adds before taking a bite.

If he keeps this up, it might just become a really good night too.

fourteen

BRONTË

I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking, good for you, Brontë. Get you a piece of that good D. Yeah, I’m not thinking that anymore. No, I’m standing here with a mug of herbal tea staring at the naked body of my one-night stand wrapped in the covers.

I’m afraid I’ve opened a big ol’ coffee can of worms. One of those huge Folgers ones you can only buy at a warehouse store for a church social.

It’s obvious I need to play nice with the father of my child if I’m going to avoid a nasty custody battle. But did that need to include waking him in the middle of the night with his baby maker in my mouth?

I can just hear my sisters if they find out about this. Austen will give me a lecture about propriety. Like she can talk. It’s no secret she let Reed have sex with her for the first time in his kitchen against the wall.

And Eliot? She is a whole different bird. I never know what she’s going to say. Chances are good she would tell me to ride that pony to the end. None of us would understand the reference, but whatever.

“I guess I should be thankful you didn’t sneak out this time?” Rand growls. His voice is sexy and rough this morning. Could be from all the services his tongue insisted on providing last night. Focus, Brontë. There is more to life than jiggly parts and food.

“Didn’t make much sense now that you know where I live.”

“True.” He rolls onto his back in the bed. Thankfully, the sheet hides all the naughty parts. Based on the tent, I might not be able to resist another ride. “Can I assume you’re having second thoughts about last night?”

“A little. Are you?”

“Not even a little, but I understand.” He throws the sheet back and stands. “We can just agree that this was a heat of the moment thing.”

I watch him cross the room to the bathroom. The door closes, and the shower turns on. Shit. I’ve already made a mess of this. I follow him into the bathroom.

“Hey, that’s not what I meant. I just think nothing good can come from us blurring the line between friendship and… this.”

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