Page 14 of I Knead You Tonight

“Well, for starters, I’m not naked. I’m clearly wearing a towel. And I’m in here because this ismybedroom, in case you forgot, which means this”—he points to the adjacent bathroom—“is my bathroom.”

Well shit. He’s got me there.

“Do you have to shower while I’m sleeping?”

“Considering it’s after nine in the morning and I’ve been up since before the sunrise, yes.”

“It’s after nine?” My mouth drops open, my fingers reaching for my cell phone on the bedside table, checking to see if he’s just screwing with me or not.

He’s not.

“Holy shit.” I sit back on the bed, staring down at my still-sleeping angel. “I don’t remember the last time I slept this late. I’m usually woken up by Riker wanting food or screaming from my neighbors or something else obnoxious happening in the complex.”

Winston shrugs. “You’re welcome.”

“For?”

“Giving you a quiet place to sleep.”

“Thanks,” I mumble, annoyed I had to resort to sleeping over at Winston Daniels’ house to get a good night’s sleep.

I push up out of the bed, rummaging around in our bags to get our things ready for the day.

“He should probably wake up though. He started fussing before I got in the shower. Turns out the kid loves Slayer.”

I raise my brows. “You played him Slayer?”

“I sang it to him until he calmed down.”

“You sang Slayer to my baby?”

“Yes?” He says it as a question, pulling open the dresser drawer I’m standing next to. I try not to let my eyes trail down his naked chest, try not to watch the muscles in his body jump. “Is that not okay?”

“No, no, it’s fine. I just kind of wish I had it on video or something…for blackmail later. Proof that youdohave a heart.”

“Oh, was the generosity of letting you stay here not enough?”

I sigh. “Are you going to do that the entire time we’re here? Throw my inability to pay my bills in my face? If so, you can shove your generosity straight up your ass.”

He turns toward me, and I realize then just how close we are, his chest nearly brushing against mine.

The way his body felt against mine last night lingers in my mind, and I want to step closer and farther away all at once.

But I stand my ground, not wanting to appear weak.

“I’m sorry.”

His words send a shockwave through me.

“Excuse me?”

He narrows his eyes. “You heard me, and I won’t repeat it. But you’re right. I shouldn’t be throwing it in your face. I won’t say anything again.”

He turns back to the dresser, and I miss his heat the moment he does.

“You said you wanted to repay me, right?”

“Anything. Name it.” I hold my hand up. “Wait—anythingnotsexual.”

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