Wren was surprised. And impressed. “Really?”
“You sound shocked.”
“I sort of am.” Her voice softened. “They’re beautiful.”
“Thanks. I used to think I wanted to be a photographer, but now it’s just a hobby.”
“Well, you’re very good.”
His voice deepened. “I’m good at lots of things.”
A laugh escaped her. “Did you just turn this conversation dirty?”
“Me? Never. So tell me. What are you doing tomorrow?”
“Um . . . working?”
“Can you take some time off?”
“I make my own schedule, so sure.”
“We should spend the day together. You deserve to forget your troubles and have some fun.”
She wanted to take him up on his offer, but was it a mistake? Maybe she shouldn’t be off messing around and wasting the day away with Tate. There was so much for her to do still. Like look for a place to live. Find more work. Buy more stuff.
“I’d like that,” she said. “I do need a brea
k.”
“Good. Then I’ll see you tomorrow morning.” She was about to end the call when she heard him say, “Hey, Dove.”
“Yes?”
“Sweet dreams.”
Chapter Ten
TATE UNLOCKED AND pushed open the front door, closing it behind him quietly. It was still early, barely past seven in the morning, and he hadn’t been so thankful to come home to his own bed in a long time.
Just before midnight his engine had gone out on a medical aid call. It was a multiple car accident on the highway, with the southbound vehicle drifting over the double yellow line and crashing into a car headed north. It had been a nasty wreck; the driver of one car was in critical condition and had to be airlifted to the hospital.
They’d worked through the night and had finally made it back to the station around four. Meaning he got maybe two, two and a half hours before he was relieved from his duties early, and he drove straight home.
He couldn’t wait to drive his ass straight into bed.
The guest room door was closed and he figured Wren was still sleeping. He crept into his room and went straight to the bathroom, shutting the door before he turned on the shower. Stripping off his clothes, he got under the hot spray and let it pour over him, washing away the dirt and grime and reminding him that he was so damn tired.
His shower was quick, and he dried off, striding out into his room to grab a pair of boxer briefs to slip on before he climbed into bed.
He stopped short at the sight before him.
A Wren-shaped lump lying in the center of his bed.
Her hand was tucked beneath her cheek, her lips slightly parted and eyes closed, fast asleep. She looked . . . beautiful.
And he was naked.
Shit.