She swept her hand toward the table where we’d blown out the candles that had been lit. “Like this. Being romantic, having a woman in his life. It’s fucking great.” She beamed.
The fact that Travis hadn’t done this before continued to surprise me. Despite his occasionally gruff demeanor and tendency toward the bossy, he seemed to be a natural at relationships. The fact that seemed to only be with me made me feel something beyond special.
“We’re getting to know each other,” I said evasively. I was already under his roof; the last thing we needed was more pressure when things were so new between us.
“But you’re staying here,” Sam confirmed.
“For a little bit.” I nodded. “He didn’t want me back at the cottage until he knows more about what happened.”
“How are you doing living in the museum?” she stage-whispered.
I had to fight a laugh. “Okay. I kind of sort of told him I’m not in love with his house,” I admitted. “I felt bad, but he asked, and I couldn’t lie.”
“Thank God, someone had to,” she muttered with a grin. “We could never figure this place out,” she added, looking around at the high ceilings. “It’s like he wanted to make it as unwelcoming as possible.”
“Maybe he just didn’t know how to make it a home,” I replied quietly, defensive on his behalf.
Her expression softened. “You’re right. That’s probably true.”
“Can we do anything for you?” Danny put in.
“I’m good,” I assured her. “Travis has been taking good care of me, and despite feeling a bit sore, I’m really fine. I’m looking forward to seeing the kids on Monday and getting back to my normal routine. Well, as normal as it can be,” I added hastily.
“If you change your mind, you’ll let us know?”
“I will,” I assured them. “I really appreciate you coming to check on me. You’re good friends.”
“Anytime.” Sam smiled giving my hand a soft squeeze. “We’ll let you two get back to your evening. I’ll see you on Monday when I drop Hudson off.”
“And I’ll check in with you this week,” Danny added.
“Sounds good.” I nodded, suddenly tired despite my earlier nap.
I walked them out and with a final wave shut the door behind them. I reset the alarm and headed up the stairs with Buster and Able close behind.
I froze on the landing, unsure which bedroom I should go into. Buster and Able looked up at me as though to say “What the hell are you doing?”
I heard Travis’s feet on the stairs and turned with wide eyes to watch him approach.
He cocked a brow at finding me frozen like a deer in headlights. “What are you doing?”
“Well, I, um, wasn’t sure where I should sleep. I can sleep in the guest room or...,” I rambled, my fingers twisted in front of me.
His face spread into a slow, easy grin. He cocked his head, stepping into my space. “Do you want to sleep in the guest room?” he murmured in that deep voice of his that made tingles shoot down my spine.
“I-I don’t know,” I stammered.
I couldn’t contain the small shiver that raked my frame as his lips met my ear. “You don’t know?” he pressed.
“I think I’d like to sleep with you,” I admitted, before realizing what I’d said. “I mean—sleep in your bed,” I amended, my cheeks burning. I groaned. “Can you just put me out of my misery here?”
He chuckled, pulling back to look down at me. “I want you to stay in my room.”
“Okay.” I sighed, wilting with relief that he’d made the decision for me.
“Let’s go to bed,” he coaxed, taking my hand in his and guiding me down the hall.
I went into his bathroom, butterflies fluttering in my belly. I’d never wanted a man like I did him, but I felt nervous and unsure. I had so little experience, and had a feeling he didn’t suffer the same affliction.
I didn’t want him to find me lacking.
He went into the bathroom when I was done, and I crawled into his bed clad in my drawstring pajama pants and camisole. When he reappeared a moment later, dressed only in boxers, those butterflies began to bat their wings at a furious pace. The man was mouthwatering with his broad shoulders, muscular chest, and six-pack abs so defined I could count them from across the room.
He crawled into bed and didn’t hesitate to pull me close.
I burrowed in closer, my back to his front. Part of me was disappointed that he wasn’t going to try for more, while the other was too busy falling contentedly asleep in his arms.