At least, that’s the idea.
But right now, I’m not working.
I’m watching her.
And despite everything I told myself—despite convincing myself I could bring Wynter back here and keep things simple—something dark and possessive coils in my gut at the sight of her with him.
I remember overhearing Joel once, telling Holly how much he liked Wynter. And I remember exactly what I did after.
I went straight upstairs and slept with her.
It was pettyand stupid. A moment of jealousy when all I could think about was keeping her to myself. I couldn’t stand the thought of him having her.
And clearly, not much has changed.
Wynter’s hand drifts absently over the curve of her stomach and I zoom in again without thinking. The image sharpens.
She’s glowing. Even now, when she’s tired and pale, there’s something about her that pulls me in. The sight of my child growing inside her does something to me I can’t quite explain.
Something dangerous. Possessive.
Mine.
The thought lands hard.
I shove my chair back abruptly, breaking away from the screen. I drag a hand over my face, take a steadying breath, then head down to the casino.
“No one likes thrill sports for a first date,” Wynter is saying as I approach. “Honestly, Joel, you need to stop picking women who look like they might jump out of a plane for fun.” She laughs softly.
Joel grins, leaning casually against the bar. “I’m just trying to keep things interesting.”
“Try normal,” she shoots back. “Dinner. Drinks. Maybe a walk. You don’t need a near-death experience to impress someone.”
Her laugh lingers in the air. It shouldn’t get to me, but it does. I curl my fingers into my palms closing the distance between us. Joel immediately spots me and his posture straightens. He takes a subtle step back which makes Wynter glance back over her shoulder.
Her expression changes when she sees me, like she’s bracing herself for whatever I’m about to say. And of course, I oblige by being a dick.
“Maybe we should go over the dress code for this place,” I say dryly.
Her hand instinctively pulls her dressing gown tighter around her.
Shit, why can’t I just be nice?
“Early morning visits in your nightwear for free hot chocolate isn’t exactly appropriate.”
Joel jumps in quickly. “It’s fine. Next time, just call down and I’ll bring it up to the apartment.”
I arch a brow at him. “Or,” I say, my tone clipped, “I’ll buy a tub and keep it upstairs.”
Joel nods once, reading the room, then moves away, giving us space.
Wynter watches him go before turning back to me. “You’re still wearing the same clothes,” she says, studying me. “That means you either slept in them or you didn’t sleep at all.”
I drop onto the stool beside her. “I don’t need much sleep.”
She huffs out a quiet breath. “I used to think that too. A few hours here and there.” She shrugs lightly. “Then I had a breakdown, so apparently that’s not the healthiest approach.”
I glance at her. “I’ll keep that in mind.”