Page 35 of Second Draft

Feelings.

I shouldn’t be touching him. Or feeling the things I do. It isn’t right.

“I think I need to lie down.”

His lips twitch down, then takes a step back, and slowly releases me. “I’ll finish the dishes.”

“Thank you for dinner.”

He nods, but his back is to me before I can say anything else.

“I have to leave for a few of weeks,” he says, when I start to walk away.

“Oh.” Disappointment floods through me, even though I knew he wouldn’t be here forever. He has a job that requires him to travel, and an apartment in New York. Of course he has to leave.

This is why I need to stay away from him. Why I can’t let my emotions get involved.

The muscles in his back bunch under his t-shirt as he scrubs a plate, then places it in the rack beside the sink. “I’ll leave my cell in case you need anything.”

“A new dishwasher,” I tease, hoping to lighten the tension between us.

He gives a small grunt, and looks over his shoulder at me, expression unreadable. “I’ll order one tomorrow.”

With a frustrated sigh, I make my way to my bedroom. Maybe it’s just as well that he leaves. I can’t afford to lose control, or act on my growing need for him. The longer he stays, the more I’ll get used to having him around.

Chapter 14

Layla

“When does he come back?” Kira asks, plopping down on the couch beside me, her strawberry blonde hair twisted in a messy bun on top of her head.

“He said a few weeks, but I don’t know. I lived here for almost four months with Travis before Carter ever came by. Maybe he just plans on staying away.”

“Would that be so bad?”

I shrug. “It would make things easier.”

“You still like him, don’t you?” Her brows raise.

“No.” I shake my head.Lie. I’m twisted up in knots over him. “I mean I can’t. He’s Travis’ brother. How weird would that be?”

“Weird,” Kira admits. “But it’s not like Travis is around.”

True. But he could come back. It’s not likely, but there’s always the chance.

Travis doesn’t have a possessive streak in his body, but I doubt he’d be pleased if he came home and found me sleeping with his brother.

“It’s your life, Layla. You can’t let what other people think dictate what you do. I thought you’d learned that by now.”

“It’s not just what people would think.”

“You’re worried he’s going to bail on you like Travis.”

“Maybe. Yes.” I shrug. “It’s just every time I’m in the same room with him, I feel…” God. I don’t even know what I feel. I just…feel. So many damn things.

Nervous.

Happy.

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