Page 53 of Starcrossed Colorado

“You agreed to give me a place to stay for a night. Maybe two. I know you’d rather have your space.”

I ran my fingers through my hair. “This could work out for the both of us. You’ll have an easy commute to work. And you could help me out by watching Maisie sometimes.”

“You really wouldn’t mind? Are you sure?”

“Absolutely.” Did I know what I was doing? Not a clue. All I knew was that I wanted Emma close. I would know she was safe, and it would make Maisie happy.

“At least let me pay rent.”

“We’ll work it out. Later. When you’re feeling better.”

“Okay.” She seemed lighter already. More like herself. “Thank you, Ashford. Really. I don’t think I’ve expressed how grateful I am for everything you’ve done for me. I didn’t even think you liked me.”

“Hard to dislike someone who’s good to my kid.”

But it was more than that. Despite my denials and excuses, it wasn’t just Maisie who was getting attached.

Basically, I was screwed.

I’d already almost kissed her twice. How much longer could I resist?

THIRTEEN

Emma

By the timeI woke up on Saturday, I felt like myself again. If a little more worn out than usual.

Tilting my head to the side, I listened for the sounds of Ashford and Maisie talking, laughing, moving around. But the apartment was quiet. I couldn’t remember if Ashford taught on the weekends or not. Maybe he had another personal training client?

I picked up my new journal from the nightstand and ran a hand across the smooth cover, thinking of Ashford. He kept surprising me. We had spent over an hour straight-up snuggling in my bed yesterday when he was trying to make me feel better. We’d taken a nap together. An intimate kind of moment to share. Now, we would be living together through the rest of the summer.

And I was pretty sure he’d almost kissed me yesterday.Again. I hadn’t felt my best, but I would’ve kissed him back. Maybe kisses from Ashford could be my new headache cure.

If I had wanted to avoid the temptation of falling for another older man, this wasnotthe best way to go about it.

After journaling for a bit, my stomach started rumbling, and I went to find some food. After eating little more than soupand ice cream yesterday, I was ravenous. Also I needed to focus on something other than the ridiculously sexy man I was living with.

Unfortunately, the kitchen didn’t help. Everything about the space reminded me of Ashford and his daughter. Poking around in the cabinets revealed juice boxes and snack packs. One of the few items that could only be for him was a box of protein bars.

My curiosity got the better of me once I had some food in my stomach. Instead of going straight back to my room, I ventured further down the hall to Ashford’s.

His door just so happened to be open, and I just so happened to look inside. His bed was unmade, which only made me think of Ashford lying there. Tangling up those sheets with his long legs. The room smelled like him, hints of cinnamon and clove and anise.

Heat prickled all over my skin.

Ashford was gruff and difficult, sure. But when it counted, he had shown me more kindness and generosity than my ex ever had in the entire time I had been with him.

It made me want to do something more for Ashford. Cleaning up the kitchen and living room seemed like a small gesture, but one he would appreciate. I grabbed my AirPods, queued up some music from one of my favorite contemporary composers, and got to work.

What kind of music does Ashford like?I wondered.

I lost track of time. Until someone tapped me on the shoulder, and I whirled around, yanking the AirPods from my ears.

A woman in her late twenties stood there. She jumped back, hands going up. “Sorry! Didn’t mean to scare you. You didn’t hear me when I came in. I’m Grace. Ashford’s sister.”

“Of course. Hi, I’m Emma.” I set aside the cleaning supplies and wiped off my hands.

“Believe me, I’ve heardallabout you. Yet somehow, I keep missing the chance to meet you.” She held up a takeout bag from Flamethrower Burgers & Brews. “Thought I’d swing by with lunch and say hello. I heard you’ve been out of commission with a migraine. How are you feeling?”

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