Monday (Timeless Teaser)(28)

“Hey, they’re a good team.”

“Full of traitors.”

He rolled his eyes. “I’m sick of hearing this…I’m watching it. You can either watch it with me or go bake something.”

“You’d like that, wouldn’t you?”

He shrugged. “It wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.”

***

After I brushed my teeth, washed my face, and changed into my pajamas, I walked into his bedroom. The bed was made like it was done by a professional, and a clean towel had been placed on the dresser.

“The door locks.” Hawke came up behind me and showed me the door handle. “If that helps you sleep better.”

“Why would that help me sleep better?” It was an odd thing to say.

He held my gaze and his eyes changed noticeably. A million thoughts went through his mind but all I saw was a blur. “Some people are just like that.” He turned away like he didn’t want me to see his face. “Good night.”

“Wait.”

Hawke turned back around. “Yeah?”

“You should get the bed. You’re the one who lives here.”

His eyebrows scrunched up in protest. “No. You’re my guest.”

“I’m not going to put you on the couch for a week. I’m the one crashing here.” That didn’t sound fair to me. “Honestly, I don’t mind.”

“Well, I do.” He challenged me with his look. “Now shut up and go to sleep.”

“Shut up?” I crossed my arms over my chest and gave him a fiery look. “I’m not going to do something just because you tell me to. So, you shut up.”

Instead of being irritated, there was a smile in his eyes. He seemed amused more than anything else. “The only way I’m sleeping in that bed is if you sleep in it with me.”

“Look how that turned out…”

Mischief was written all over his face. “It’s a king so we can both fit easily. I’m not compromising on this. I either take the couch or we both take the bed. The ball is in your court, Muffin.”

“Fine.” I turned to the bed. “You won’t even notice I’m there. I sleep on one side and never move.”

“You’re acting like I’ve never slept with you before.”

“But that was only for a few hours.” I pulled the sheets back and examined them closely. “They’re clean, right?”

“Brand new, actually.” He moved to his dresser and pulled his shirt off. “You mind if I sleep in my boxers?”

“Uh…”

He removed his shorts then stood in the center of the room. He was the perfect specimen of a man. He was all muscle and all power. And he had a beautiful face to top it off. But right now, he was smiling like he knew he had something to smile about. “Great.” He moved between the sheets and took the right side.

Still dumbfounded, I lay down and pulled the covers over me. The second my back hit the mattress, I released a moan. “Man, this is comfortable.”

“A good night’s sleep is important to me.”

“How do you get out of bed in the morning?” I turned over and sighed happily.

“Sometimes I don’t.” He stared up at the ceiling with a distant look in his eyes.

I turned his way and watched his face. “Thanks for letting me stay with you.”

That ghostly smile spread across his lips. “You’re doing me more favors. I haven’t had a home-cooked dinner like that…in a long time.”

“You could just learn to cook yourself.”

“Nah. It’s a woman’s job.”

“Whoa…” I propped myself up on my elbow. “Excuse me?”

He grinned without looking at me. “It’s so easy to get you fired up. It’s fun.”

I grabbed my pillow and smacked him with it.

He held up his arm like it didn’t bother him in the least. “You’re so proud. It’s cute.”

“Cute?” I lowered the pillow.

“Yeah. Cute like a muffin.” He turned his eyes on me, and the sincerity shined in his gaze. “You hold on to what you believe, whereas everyone else instantly changes their beliefs once they meet someone with a different opinion. Instead of waiting for a man to take care of you, you take care of yourself. It’s nice to be around an independent woman for once. You don’t take shit from anybody, and you have more goals in life than just to settle down and get married.”

I hadn’t realized just how well he understood me until then. He understood all my qualities as well as my flaws. Most men were intimidated by my no-bullshit attitude. But Hawke was man enough not to care. “There are a lot of girls like me out there. You just need to look harder.”

“Where?” he asked. “Are they hiding under rocks? You don’t understand just how special you are.” He turned his gaze back to the ceiling.

I lay down and looked into the darkness of his room. “Well…thanks. I thought I annoyed you most of the time.”

A deep laugh emerged from the back of his throat. “I wouldn’t share this bed with you if you annoyed me. I’m a huge dick, so if you’re being annoying, I’ll tell you how it is.”