Page 44 of Merry Mayhem
I’m grateful to see she’s in long pajamas and socks. The pants are loose and tied at her waist, but they cover her legs, giving me less bare skin to become obsessed with. But they’re also thin, and as she twists and bends, adjusting the pillow under Ruth’s head and tucking the blanket around her, the pants cling to her hips and ass.
I admit to myself, however, that it wouldn’t matter.
I’d be appreciating her shape no matter what she was wearing.
She and I definitely need to talk.
“Do you want me to help you get her upstairs?” I could easily carry Ruth up to her room.
Thea smiles down at her daughter. “I told her she could sleep on the couch by the Christmas tree tonight.” She moves around the room, shutting off the other lights and the television, leaving only the glow from the tree illuminating the room. “Come on, I’ll show you to your room.”
I follow her out of the living room and grab my bag before climbing the stairs behind her, stubbornly keeping my eyesoffof her ass in those pajama pants.
She probably thinks they’re not appealing at all. She probably didn’t even think of me when putting them on before curling up on the couch. If she did think about me showing up later, she probably thought washing off her makeup and dressing down would quell the flirtatious undertone and feeling of camaraderie we’d built tonight.
Maybe some men don’t find blue, yellow, and white plaid sexy, but I find a woman in her element, completely relaxed and comfortable, and willing to let me see that side of her extremely hot. Anyone can look good with enough makeup, hairextensions, and other adornments. Being herself, in her own space, doing things her way is exactly how I want Thea.
“Since I don’t know what time we might get a text in the morning, Ruth and I already showered tonight, so the bathroom is all yours tomorrow.” She motions toward the door two doorways down. “Towels and stuff are in there. Help yourself.”
“You think that we’re going to have a surprise challenge tomorrow morning?”
“I saw the glint in Nora’s eyes. I’ve seen that before. For sure, we’re going to have a challenge before the scheduled one at ten a.m.”
“Okay. I’ll be ready.”
She tips her head. “You’re probably used to being called out at all hours. Your job isn’t very predictable, is it?”
“That’s for sure. I’ve always got my phone ringer on, and I can be up and ready to go in minutes, no matter what I’m doing.”
She hesitates as if she wants to say something more. I would love it if it was something flirtatious and teasing about my ability to get ready to go.
Instead, she says, “I made some caramel pecan rolls for us to eat quickly if we have to leave in a rush. I hope that’s okay.”
I groan. “I’d hoped that’s what I smelled. I could kiss you right now.”
Her eyes widen slightly. “Probably not a great idea, everything considered.”
“Everything considered?”
“My sister? Violet? You do remember her?”
I grin. “Of course.” I have to come clean here. “I need to tell you something.”
She shakes her head quickly. “No. You don’t. I don’t need details about you and Violet.” She turns and starts down the hall toward, I assume, her bedroom.
“Violet and I are not dating.”
Thea stops. Then turns back slowly. “Excuse me?”
I take a step towards her. “We’re not dating. We barely know one another.”
Thea frowns. “What are you talking about?”
I take another step. “I met Violet the night of her accident. That was the first time we ever talked. I agreed to come and do Merry Mayhem with her and pretend to be her boyfriend so that Sam didn’t think she hadn’t moved on after all these months.”
Thea takes a moment, and I let that sink in.
Then she nods. “That makes more sense.”
