The Summer Deal (Wildstone #5)(52)

Any lingering awkwardness vanished as she smiled. “I don’t know, I might need some convincing. After all, I apparently agreed to sleep with you too readily, seeing as I missed out on making you beg for me—”

She was cut off by his kiss, a very hot kiss. “Careful what you wish for,” he warned softly, his lips brushing hers. “You’ll find I can be very persuasive when forced to beg.”

The innuendo in his tone set her blood on fire. Definitely out of her league. “I’ve gotta . . .” She gestured vaguely to the door. “I’ll use my bathroom, since I know you’ve got to get up too . . .” And then she slid out of bed and shoved herself back into her dress and retreated to her room. Okay, so clearly she’d failed spectacularly on her own personal deal about not involving her heartstrings or tugging on anyone else’s. She’d promised herself she’d step away when she wanted to step closer, that she’d keep things light when she wanted to reveal her soul.

Now, not only had she revealed her heart and soul, but she’d given it away. To a man who had no idea. But . . . she wouldn’t take it back. Not when it felt so good. So right. Which meant it was time to make a new deal with herself. And it needed to be far less complicated than the last, since apparently she couldn’t think in Eli’s presence. This time, she was going to do the opposite. She would take action when she was moved to action.

And she planned to be moved to action often.

In Eli’s bed.

She was tired of pushing feelings aside. If given the chance, she’d embrace every emotion he stirred up in her. She had no illusions of keeping him forever, but she trusted him enough to give her what she wanted. At least for now, since their wants—and needs—seemed to be aligned.

And, oh, how they aligned . . .

She smiled all through her shower, thinking, hoping that this could actually work. Up until now, everything lacking in her life had been her own doing. She’d been wary of getting involved with anyone because she’d chosen poorly in the past. But Eli gave her his time and his affection, all freely. He didn’t hold back from her. He didn’t ask for anything in return. He only seemed to want one thing—her, just as she was.

And that was something she could actually offer.

She dressed for work—still smiling—and finally told her reflection in the mirror to stop thinking about last night because right now she needed caffeine and her keys. This meant leaving the safety of her bedroom, but there was also another really good reason to do so. Because she was missing her bra from last night. It hadn’t been in Eli’s sheets or on his floor. Which meant she’d lost it earlier than that. Like on the stairs.

Not good.

And wherever it’d landed, it wasn’t visible. Maybe it’d sailed over the railing. At the bottom of the stairs, she turned into the reading nook and began to search the loveseat there. She got down on all fours and peered under it.

“Looking for this?”

Brynn jerked upright and hit her head. Swearing, she straightened, and holding on to the top of her head, which hurt like a son of a bitch, she stared past the great shoes to the bra dangling from Kinsey’s finger.

Brynn snatched it from her and shoved it into her oversized bag.

“Sleeping with a roommate seems a little risky,” Kinsey said lightly.

Also stupid, but hey, that ship had sailed.

Kinsey looked at her for a beat. “Do we need to have a talk?”

“I’m not going to hurt him. And he’s a big boy.” In more ways than one . . .

“Actually,” Kinsey said. “It was you I was worried about.”

Brynn laughed. “Okay.”

“Hey,” Kinsey said, looking a little insulted. Then she blew out a sigh. “Look, I’m a bitch. I know that. I’m also a pit bull about those I care about.”

“And suddenly I’m one of those people?”

“Yes. I told you I wanted to be friends. I don’t lie. I don’t want you to get hurt again.”

“And how do you know I’ve been hurt?”

“Am I wrong?” Kinsey gave her a “get real” look. “You showed up here with only a duffel bag, looking like a kicked puppy. How dumb do you think I am? Your last boyfriend was an asshole, right?”

Brynn crossed her arms over herself. “Everyone makes mistakes.”

“And some of us make more than others,” she said, raising her own hand. “All I’m saying is that even though Eli’s one of the best guys I know, someone I’m also worried that you’re going to inadvertently hurt, you have to look out for yourself.”

Brynn was about to laugh again, but Kinsey wasn’t laughing. And she wasn’t being a smart-ass either. “Let me get this straight. Even though you’re worried I’m going to hurt your best friend, you’re warning me off him . . . for my sake?”

“I’m just saying you need to protect yourself. Wear a shield.”

“Is that what you do?”

Kinsey’s smile faded. “Yes. And mine’s permanent.”

“Maybe I’m not built like that.”

“Nothing in life lasts, Brynn. I hope you know that, and what you’re doing.”

Ditto.

ELI SURFACED FROM a dive on the job next to Demi, his work and dive partner. He hung back so she could get on board the work boat first, watching as Max assisted her.