“My Kindle’s in the nightstand. Passcode is 2929.”
“Thanks,” I whispered, oddly touched. “Goodnight, Graham.”
“Night.”
If I couldn’t sleep, I might as well read. I found his e-reader right where he said I would and, with the brightness setting turned down low, scrolled his library for something to keep me occupied until morning. He had an eclectic mix of nonfiction, memoirs, thrillers, and mysteries. Some bestsellers, some I’d never heard of before. No steamy pirate romances… but that wasn’t exactly surprising.
Nothing jumped out at me until I reached nearly the end of his library. I was stunned to see one of my favorite books — a very un-Graham-like book, at that, since the pages practically dripped with paranormal prose — sitting there in his collection.
The Night Circusby Erin Morgenstern.
Grinning in the dark, I clicked it open and allowed my eyes to devour the first page, falling instantly back into a story of two rival magicians who spiral deeper and deeper into forbidden love…
* * *
I staredbleary-eyed at the toaster, waiting for it to pop. I’d read until the letters began to swim on the illuminated screen, the night slipping away chapter by chapter, listening to the steady metronome of Graham’s breathing beside me. As the sky began to lighten in slow degrees, dawn peeking over the horizon with pale pink fingers, I’d slipped out of bed and sought out the only thing that would hold my deep exhaustion at bay.
Coffee.
I took a long sip, humming in satisfaction as the warm liquid pooled in my rumbling stomach. I was ravenous. So much so, I’d decided to pilfer through Graham’s cupboards without waiting for permission. Not exactly proper guest etiquette, but I figured he could spare a few pieces of sourdough in penance for making me stay here against my will.
The only thing I’d dared take from his impeccably organized refrigerator was a dollop of milk for my coffee. The inside was too intimidating to touch — orderly reusable containers full of fresh ingredients, drawers jam-packed with organic produce, doors full of unusual condiments like lemongrass paste and miso seasoning and homemade aioli. All of which told me that he cooked — and cooked well, I might add.
Goddess, the man grew more annoying by the minute.
The toaster popped with a low chime. I buttered each piece, fingers practically shaking with hunger. Before I could take a bite, a hand reached over my shoulder and snatched my breakfast right out of my grasp. I heard a crunch and whirled around to see Graham’s strong white teeth chomping away at my sourdough.
“I was planning on eating that,” I said grumpily, glaring at him. He grinned around the toast in his mouth, unapologetic. His eyes were still half-lidded with sleep. His hair was tousled, the dark locks falling over his forehead in a sexy, mussed sort of way that made my heart pulse faster.
“Wasbeing the operative word, babe,” he murmured, moving closer. His arms landed on the butcher block, caging me in with his body. I tried very hard not to look down, knowing the sight of his bare chest and chiseled abs were more than I could handle while in the throes of sleep deprivation.
Graham exchanged my stolen toast for my coffee, bringing to mug to his lips for a long sip without a beat of hesitation.
“That’s my coffee.”
“Not big on sharing, are you?” He grinned again. “Let me guess… you’re an only child.”
“I don’t see what that has to do with anything.”
“Trust me, you grow up with two twin hellion kid brothers, you learn about sharing. Quickly.”
“I didn’t know you had brothers.”
“How would you? You didn’t ask. You never ask anything about me. It’s like you’re actively trying not to get to know me.”
“That’s not true.”
“Until a few days ago, you thought I was a handyman.”
Color flooded into my cheeks. “I didn’t know one tiny, little thing. That was an isolated incident.”
“Then name five other things you know about me.”
I stared up at him, wishing he wasn’t standing so close. It was making my empty stomach somersault. “Can you back off?”
“Why? Am I making you nervous?”
“No,” I lied. “But your morning breath leaves something to be desired.”