Page 72 of Give & Take

Because now Raphael’s standing at the side of the bed, his towel no longer on his body.

The man is fully naked as he flops backward onto the bed.

And I do mean flop.

I swallow, my mouth dry. My first thought isholy shit. If that’s him soft…

My second thought is justShit. Shit shit shit shit shit.

I zing the curtains shut, sucking in an audible gasp as my stomach drops right through my body, splattering on the floor.

He didn’t see me, did he? I’m in the dark. I’m a couple of feet back from the gap.

Not far enough.

I take a step back, then another. Then I dive bomb onto my bed, burying my face under a pillow.

I’m moving rooms. That’s all there is to it. I don’t need to use this room anyway, I’ll just sleep downstairs on the couch, forever, until?—

Bzzz

My phone buzzes. I whip the pillow off my head and stare at it. Its glow lights up the room for a moment before plunging me back into darkness.

I have a sick feeling in my stomach. Very sick. I crawl across the bed, wanting and not wanting to know who just texted me.

With a trembling hand, I pull it up.

RAPH: I was thinking about doing the repair work after you get home tomorrow night. There’ll be some banging, otherwise I’d do it in the morning. I’ve got supplies in the truck. That okay?

I let out a long, shaky breath.

He didn’t see me.

Then, the feeling of being an absolute pervert floods me. It seems to be a familiar theme where Raph is involved. Shame, heavy in my chest.

My fingers move to type outI JUST SAW YOU NAKED.

Instead, I type:

LANA: Sounds good.

LANA: See you tomorrow.

I cringe, throwing the phone sideways before I can do more damage.

My phone buzzes.

I grab it.

RAPH: You sound nervous, Lana.

I pick up the phone.

LANA: Why would I be nervous?

RAPH: I don’t know, Lana. Why would you be?

My heart thunders.

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