“Fourteen.”
He seemed to think that was very amusing as he kept smiling. She truly loved his smile, but not when it was like that, like he could just imagine her as a scrawny fourteen-year-old dying over Rambo. And he thought it was hilarious.
“Anyway,” she continued.
He folded his impressive arms over his equally impressive chest. “What do I need to get straight?”
“Every man wants me,” she said, as snarky and sassy as she could make herself.
“Oh?” He arched an eyebrow. “Humble, aren’t you?”
She rolled her eyes. “It’s not about humility. They pursue me for my looks, my wealth, my status, my success, my charm.” She flipped her hair. She would never normally act like this—was reminding herself of Blaine—but she wanted to push this man to reveal that he wanted her.
His mouth pursed, but he didn’t respond, simply studying her with those disconcerting grayish-blue eyes as if he knew she was over-inflating to goad him.
“Blaine wanted me and I had to dump the pompous, chauvinistic soldier straightaway. Charlie wants me, but I keep it friendly. If you’re going to act defensive and point guns at or look like you want to kill a man because he’s interested in me, you’re going to risk high blood pressure or your head exploding.”
“Oh, am I?” He smiled again.
“Yes. So calm down and realize that men flirting with me is something you’re going to have to get used to. Understood?”
That slight smile stayed on his lips, but his eyes were serious. Far too serious. She gave him a challenging look, hoping he’d step up and say something downright enticing, like she would never flirt with another man because Zeke was going to claim all her attention, her flirtations, her time, and her lips. She liked it. She was an independent, strong woman, and she needed this strong man by her side. Licking her lips, she waited.
He shook his head and gestured toward the master bedroom. Mia was confused and let down, but she wouldn’t admit defeat in this battle of wills. She tilted her head like the royalty she’d been trained to be and pivoted toward the bedroom.
He followed her, saying nothing. They walked through the door that led into Papa’s master suite. She’d only set her stuff down in here before heading to Joseph and Holly’s house. Blaine and Charlie had gone through everything she’d brought from her flat, which hadn’t been much, just her phone and purse. They’d used special equipment and declared everything “clean.” But they’d made her leave her phone and refused to go pick up her computer from the flat, saying electronics could be traced. It was a good thing she trusted her staff and had planned to check out of work for December already. Any other month of the year, she’d have deadlines for designs and meetings galore. She loved her work, but December was always a nice break from her busy schedule.
Luckily her mum had a lot of her dresses and casual clothes at the mansion and they were the same size, so she had loaded Mia a large suitcase with clothes, shoes, workout gear, beauty products, the works. Mia had no idea how long she’d be here and her mum had much more of everything than she’d ever use.
She stopped in the doorway and looked at the spacious, gorgeous master suite. There was a huge four-poster bed, heavy cherry wood dressers, a beautiful fireplace with a mahogany mantle and numerous family pictures lining it, a cozy loveseat next to the fireplace, picture windows that overlooked the snow-covered grass sloping down to the lake, and an extra twin bed in the open space. Two open doors revealed a master bath with a huge corner tub and marble shower, and a walk-in closet. The closet still contained all of Papa’s clothing. That was rough. Of course the Deltas probably weren’t ready to clean it out.
“This is …”
“Awkward,” Zeke supplied over her shoulder. He was close, close enough she felt the warmth of his breath brush the back of her neck. She shivered at the pleasant sensation.
Looking over her shoulder at him, she was surprised and pleased that he was so close to her. Close enough that she could smell his clean scent. She let her eyes travel over his firm lips before lifting them to his smoky-blue gaze. His expression was intense and also concerned.
“Not awkward,” she said. “Rough.”
“Rough. How?”
“Kipping in Papa’s room.” She turned to face him. He eased back a few inches. Disappointing. “You’re taking Papa’s bed.”
His eyebrows rose.
“Don’t worry, Auntie reassured me they’ve cleaned everything thoroughly and washed the sheets.”
“Then you should have the nicer bed.”
“I’m half your size. Can you barmy imagine how you’d fall off of that thing?” She pointed to the twin.
“I’ve slept in much worse spots.” He shrugged and she was distracted by the way the muscles in his shoulders flexed. “Can you … move in farther, please?”
Mia was blocking the doorway. She was so tempted to force him to brush past her, but that wouldn’t be very kind.
She walked over to her suitcase and wheeled it into the master closet. Flipping on the light, she was grateful that the closet was huge, and luckily Papa Delta hadn’t filled all the shelves and racks. Laying the suitcase down, she unzipped it and flipped it open.
Zeke walked in and set his duffel to the side. “I need to go through your things,” he said in a voice that most people in the world would probably acquiesce to.