The Safe Bet (Hidden Truths #1)(34)

“My sister decorated the office. We have different styles.”

“I don’t know how you managed to talk me into coming here.”

“I didn’t give you much of a choice,” he remarked. “Something to drink?”

“No, thanks. I should get some rest.”

“Okay. Follow me.” They exited the kitchen, and he retrieved her luggage before they walked down a long hall that held a series of doors.

The guest room was like the rest of the house—decorated in warm tones, with soft lighting. The king-sized bed was perched atop a dark walnut, sleigh-style frame and adorned with creamy silk linens. Hanging over the headboard was a photograph of a still lake surrounded by mountains. A breathtaking view.

“Did you take that photo?” she asked, seating herself on the bed.

“Yeah,” he replied. “It’s my place in Boulder. A place to escape when the world gets a little too loud.” He was looking down at the floor.

She smiled and waited for him to bring his eyes back up. Was he okay?

“Anything I can get for you? There are towels and stuff in the bathroom,” he said, pointing to the adjoining door.

“I think I’m good.” Well, as good as she could be in her current situation.

“Okay. Well, I’m going to call my friend tomorrow morning about your stalker. We’ll see what he comes up with.” Michael reached for the doorknob.

“I hate to say it, but what can he do with only a few texts and photos? I’m sure there are no prints.”

Michael grinned. “If anyone can find this guy, it’s Jake,” he assured her. He stared down at her as if fighting the impulse to join her on the bed. “Goodnight.”

*


Michael walked away from Kate’s room and to the master suite, which was on the other side of his house. There were guest rooms closer to his, but he preferred to keep her as far away as possible. He needed to put some distance between them. She’d be the first woman who wasn’t family to sleep over. As much as he wanted to keep her safe, the idea of having her under the same roof had him nervous.

He hurried into his bathroom to take a shower, needing to cool off.

Despite the cold water, his arousal heightened when his thoughts drifted to Kate.

I’m such an asshole. The woman has a stalker, and I’m . . . Jesus.

After showering, he tried to dull his senses by reading the news on his tablet, but he only tossed around in his bed, ruffling up the sheets.

Around two in the morning, he wandered into the living room. He rubbed his jaw and moved toward the long wall of windows that overlooked the city.

“What are you doing up?” he asked when noticing Kate’s reflection. He turned around to face her, which probably wasn’t the best idea.

She was wearing a flimsy silk nightgown that stopped a few inches above her knees. She hugged her arms, out of nervousness or perhaps to conceal the fact that she wasn’t wearing a bra.

“I can’t sleep,” she replied before sitting down on the oversized, brown suede sofa.

He inhaled a sharp breath, feeling the painful discomfort of unsatisfied lust as she sat there before him, wearing barely any clothes. He had restraint, but he was still a man. He looked away from her and back out the window, trying to calm his erection, which seemed to grow more demanding every time she was near.

“Do you always sleep in sweat pants?” she asked.

“I sleep commando, actually.” He couldn’t see her response in the reflection, but he assumed he’d made her blush. At least her thoughts weren’t on the stalker.

“How come that model Jamie didn’t come to the gala? The real reason.”

Her question took him by surprise. He gripped the back of his neck with his left hand, working out a kink. What was he supposed to say? His tension eased somewhat, and he turned back toward her. “I wouldn’t worry about Jamie.”

“Did you sleep with her?” Kate’s voice was small and distant. He could almost see the pesky shade of green that was her envy. Normally, he couldn’t abide by jealousy, but for some inexplicable reason, it pleased him to see it on her.

He cocked his head to the side and stared at her. “I turned her down last night after dinner, which was hard for her ego to deal with.”

Kate looked up at him with hooded eyes. Surprise swallowed the features of her face.

“Are you cold?” he asked, trying not to notice her nipples poking through the silk nightgown.

“I’m okay.” She rose from the couch and approached him, her eyes focused on his. She stopped just out of reach.

His pulse ticked up a notch as she wet her lips. “Kate.” The deep sound of his voice was meant to serve as a warning. “Do you know what you’re getting yourself into?”

“We shouldn’t, I know. I have a crazed stalker. And I know I’ve told you no, but—”

He cut her off. His mouth crashed down over hers, and his hands moved up her arms and slid under the silk straps of her pale blue nightgown, moving them from her shoulders. The nightgown slipped to her feet. His body pressed against hers; his full cock charged and ready. His hands roamed over her breasts, which swelled beneath his fingertips. God, she was perfect.

Kate threw her head back as he kissed her neck.

He caressed her skin until his own was on fire. And then he took a step back and looked at her, taking her all in.