Page 32 of Timelessly Ours

She looks up at me. “You’d do that for me?”

“I don’t think it will keep her away, but I can try.”

She smiles gratefully. “I appreciate it. But I should probably deal with my friends sooner than later.” She picks up her phone and sends off a quick text, then sets it down and releases a breath. “Dinner was really good,” she comments with some cheer, changing the mood.

“Notice you didn’t touch the plate full of celery sticks I prepared for you. Guy at the grocery store asked me if I bought Rory a pet rabbit.”

She laughs, swinging her head back and exposing her neck. It’s slightly red again and I guess she’d taken another scorching hot shower.

It’s too easy to picture my fingers around it, soothing the irritated skin.

Her phone dings and she swipes to read the message. A smile curls her lips before she reads out loud. “Awesome see you tomorrow morning. Oh, and I’m bringing Cora. I love you but I’m still a little afraid of you.” Nicole chuckles and rolls her eyes.

I shrug. “So, what, Cora isn’t?”

She shakes her head. “That girl isn’t afraid of anything.”

I’d have to agree with that. Jace’s little sister fell in love with one of my most aggressive team members with a raging temper. One he supposedly has under control now that he’s committed to being a better man for Cora.

I stand and set my mug in the sink. “Well, good luck. I’ll be around if you need backup, then heading to the arena for practice.”

“And it’s okay if we tell her…”

“The same thing we told your brother. No one needs to know anything else.”

I start to leave the kitchen and hear her behind me. “Royce, wait.”

I stop and turn abruptly as she crashes into me. “Sorry,” she breathes, bouncing off my chest. “I just…” she swallows and takes a breath like she’s winded. “Wanted to say thank you.”

I sizzle all over from the contact. “Don’t thank me just yet. Have you met Rory?”

She laughs and that’s when I notice her bathrobe has loosened around her waist. I blink away before my eyes travel any lower than her chest.

“Sorry.” She adjusts and tightens the front.

“No harm done. I should apologize, I should have taken you home at some point today to get some of your things. At least something to sleep in.”

She waves a hand. “Oh, I don’t sleep with any—” Her eyes widen. “I mean, yes, that would be great. Maybe tomorrow?”

I nod curtly. “Tomorrow.” I climb the stairs too quickly—before my cock starts showing evidence of my understanding of her sleeping naked.

Right. Next. Door.

This won’t do. This won’t do at all.

I step into my bedroom and pull out a shirt from the dresser. She’s still downstairs when I slip into her room and leave it on her bed.

I just have to believe this is what she’ll be wearing tonight—before my mind dares to picture anything else.

9

I open the front door to a smiling Cora—her dark hair cut to her shoulders. The magenta streak in her hair freshly dyed. It's barely nine in the morning and I just returned from dropping Rory off at school.

Royce is in his office upstairs taking a call—or at least that’s what he told me he was doing when he saw Angel’s car pull up in the driveway a moment ago.

I’d spent the night wearing a t-shirt he’d so generously left out for me after I let it slip that I don’t sleep with any clothes on.

I’m pretty sure I fell asleep grinning. Between the heat in his eyes and the smoke behind him as he raced out of the kitchen, I didn’t know whether to be flattered or mortified.

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