Page 12 of Finally Home

“Scouts honor.” He threw up a hand and made the three-fingered salute.

She rolled her eyes. “You quit the Scouts when you found out there were no girls allowed.”

“I fought for equal rights.”

“Just go to sleep, West.” She huffed, trying to reel in her frazzled emotions at the thought of sharing a bed with him.

“You’ll stay?” he asked uneasily, but there was hope in his voice.

“Yes. Let me lock up downstairs and get some pajamas.”

“We both know you don’t wear pajamas.” He cocked his head, and she didn’t miss the sexy undertones in his voice.

“Tonight I do.” She stayed firm, not sure who she was trying to convince.

Fighting off the need to panic and flee, she took her time setting the fire for the night and slipping into her flannel sleep shirt. When she sneaked into the king-size bed, West had already built a wall of pillows down the center. A small part of her was disappointed there wouldn’t be an accidental cuddle sesh, but it was probably for the best. West was so hot and cold, she wasn’t sure she could cuddle tonight and be rejected by morning.

With her back to him, she took a deep breath. She could do it. It was as much for West as it was to prove to herself she could have him in her life as a friend.

At least that was what she was going to keep telling herself.

CHAPTERFIVE

WEST

The smell of citrus and lavender filled his nose. West instinctively leaned into the warm body that pressed against him, surprised it reacted by snuggling closer to him. He blinked open his eyes, allowing them to adjust to the light pouring into the room.

The first thing he saw was floor-to-ceiling windows that framed the gently falling snow outside. It was then he realized where he was and just who had their ass pressed up against his raging hard-on.

Red.

Shit.He tried not to jerk away for fear of waking her, but he needed to put some space between them. He had meant it when he’d told her no funny business, and there he was holding her like he had every morning they were together. His eyes darted around to find the pillows he’d placed between them, only to discover them scattered across the floor on his side of the bed.

Fantastic. If she saw that, he would definitely be read the riot act.

A sigh escaped him, and he relaxed into the bed, debating his next move. Cami shifted closer to him in her sleep. She was an absolute dream. He missed the way her body molded to his. The way her eyelashes flitted over her cheeks when she slept.

But she wasn’t his, and he’d do well to remember that.

His dick stood at attention, questioning what the hell he was waiting for. She was back in their lives, but his libido clearly didn’t get the memo she wasn’t theirs to have.

West rolled over, careful not to wake her, and slid his arm from under her pillow. When he pulled the covers from himself, he glanced over and saw her flannel sleep shirt had ridden up to her waist. He bit back a groan.

The sight of her like that threatened to shatter his already fragile resolve.

He stepped away from the bed and put on one of the flannel shirts Cami had left out for him. She always did like him in a good flannel.

Bear lifted his head from his spot on the floor, and West could have sworn the dog was giving him a dirty look. He bent down and gave him a scratch behind the ear and whispered, “Sorry if I took your spot on the bed, bud. Let’s go. I’ll see if Red has some bacon I can accidentally drop on the floor for you.”

Quietly he padded down the stairs, Bear in tow. Copious amounts of coffee needed to happen before his thoughts inevitably drifted back to the half-naked woman upstairs.

On the counter he found his dead cell phone and a charger Cami had left out for him. That woman thought of everything. It was one of the reasons he loved her.

Had loved her.

Who the fuck was he kidding? He still loved her.

After plugging in the phone, he set about making breakfast. Thank God Red had a fully stocked fridge and pantry. He made her the works. Eggs, bacon, and hash browns. Bear patiently lay at his feet, keeping a watchful eye for the promised bacon to fall on the floor.

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