Page 37 of A Cowboy's Bride
Jinx stood, Dixie instantly snuggling under her hand. She glanced at his brothers then met his gaze. “I didn’t mind that music. You’re good.”
“Thanks, kiddo. You sleep tight, okay? Petra and I are down the hall if you need anything, but go ahead and lock your door. Dixie will take care of you.”
She nodded then waved goodnight to Jake and Declan. “Thanks for giving me a place to live.”
“You bet,” Jake said softly.
“Night, Jinx. See you in the morning,” Declan offered.
They walked off, Jinx glancing over her shoulder a few times before hurrying after Petra.
Aiden strummed open chords until they were out of earshot. “I hope to hell the universe gives us the wisdom to do this right.”
“Amen to that,” Jake muttered. Then he fixed his gaze on Aiden. “You’re sleeping in the house. You need anything, any time, you text.”
“And you treat Petra with respect,” Declan said firmly. He shook his hand at Aiden, the move more threatening than he possibly intended because he still held his switchblade in his fingers. “She has done amazing things and dealt with so much in the past twenty-four hours. She’s the key to making this work, so don’t you go fucking it up.”
“I know,” Aiden insisted. “I know.”
Jake sighed and leaned back in his chair. “We know that part, too. That you’re not an ass, but dammit, this whole thing got complicated really fast.”
“That’s saying a mouthful.” Declan shrugged. “Just make sure you’re thinking hard, Aiden. That’s all we ask. Petra leaving because you pissed her off would be a disaster.”
It was as if his brothers thought he had no self-control. He glowered at them. “I’m not planning on fucking up. I’m not planning onfuckingat all.”
It wasn’t atotallie. Dreaming and fantasizing about it were not the same as planning.
A short while later, after firm back pats and goodnights from his brothers, Aiden slipped into the house as quietly as possible. A light shone from under the bathroom door connected to Jinx’s room. Dixie’s nails clicked on the hardwood floor in a steady rhythm as the dog paced.
Better than any surveillance camera, Aiden had to admit. If Jinx did get scared and decide to run, Dixie was going to stay glued by her side.
He walked to the primary bedroom, catching himself before he knocked. Instead, he slipped open the door and peeked inside. The sound of running water from the bathroom made him hesitate.
Petra. Naked in the shower?—
Dammit. He was being punished for some past sins.
Aiden went to the walk-in closet, hauled off his clothes and hung them on the hook on the far wall. He left on his boxer briefs, then peeked back into the room.
The water was off but still no sign of Petra.
This was utter bullshit. He could either stand in the closet and hide like a blushing virgin or go brush his teeth like a fucking adult.
One step into the bathroom area, he froze. Petra stood at the counter, hair wrapped up in a towel balanced on the top of her head. She brushed her teeth vigorously, watching him in the mirror with amusement.
The dragons on her feet were back, and a shimmering robe covered the rest of her from neck to ankles. Rainbow colours and stripes danced in front of his eyes in psychedelic kaleidoscopes.
“I think I’ve gone blind,” he said, blinking hard and marching to the second sink.
Petra smiled around her toothbrush before spitting and rinsing. She put away her things and outright grinned. “I like bright colours.”
God help him. “Good for you.”
She laughed again then leaned over to take the towel off her head and rub her hair dry. “Thank you from me as well for the great guitar playing. That was a nice finish to the end of a stressful day.”
“You think Jinx will actually sleep tonight?” he asked.
The amusement between them softened as the question hung in the air.
