Page 13 of A Soldier's Destiny
“It’s okay, I’m just brushing my teeth. C’mon in.” It didn’t seem like such a great idea until he opened the door, and she got a good look at him. With her cheeks already burning, she stared down at his bare feet. From there, her gaze traveled up his jean-clad legs, to the open button at his waist, and up his naked,oh my God, chest, and then to his face. His eyes twinkled with laughter as they met hers and he smiled around his toothbrush. She didn’t think it was possible, but her face burned even hotter.
“I’m sorry. I’m not used to having anyone else here. It won’t happen again.”
He spat toothpaste into the sink and rinsed his mouth. “It’s okay. We’re going to have to get used to each other, it’s not a big deal. If I was worried, I’d have locked the door.”
Good point. It hadn’t been locked, she’d need to remember to do that herself, especially when she was showering. It would be horrible if he walked in when she was naked. Wouldn’t it? Damn, girl, brush your teeth and go to bed, you’re totally losing it.
“Okay.”
“I’m sorry I’m upsetting your routine. I’ll leave you to it. Night, Rori.”
“Night.” She waited until she heard his door close and then brushed her teeth and put on her moisturizer.
Back in her bedroom, she debated whether to lock the door. From the size of his muscles, if he wanted in no lock was going to keep him out, so no on the locked door. She finally climbed into bed and turned out the light and drifted off to sleep with visions of Jasper dancing in her head, which was a nice change from her usual thoughts.
When the alarm went off at one fifteen, she’d have shot it if she owned a gun. With so little sleep, she’d need all the coffee just to pretend to be alive. Add to that her new houseguest/bodyguard, she was going to need a tanker truck full of the caffeinated elixir.
Opening her door, she peered down the hallway and listened to see if Jasper was up yet. When she didn’t hear anything, she rushed into the bathroom and locked the door. The hot shower helped to get her blood flowing, but now she needed coffee to complete her morning process. A quadruple espresso sounded about right. She’d forgotten to ask if he drank coffee last night, but she couldn’t imagine anyone not imbibing copious amounts of liquid energy in the morning.
Rori was dressed and in the kitchen grinding espresso beans when Jasper appeared by her side freshly showered and smelling delicious. Distracted by his presence, she over ground the beans and had to start over.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah, just tired and I mutilated the coffee beans.”
“I can see that. I was worried you were hoping they were me.”
“Uh, no. But that’s a thought,” she said and turned so he could see her smile. “Do you drink coffee? Espresso?”
“If it’s caffeinated I’ll drink it.”
“A man after my own heart. I usually have coffee up here then make a couple of large coffee urns for the customers when I get downstairs. I think I end up drinking more of it than they do though.”
“You’ll have plenty of help today,” he said with a laugh. The sound poured over her like molasses and warmed her to her core. What was it about this man that he could turn her into mush with just a few words?
