His smile grew and her knees got weak. “If I move to the king bed to ‘kip,’ will you stoptryingto push me around?”
“Push you around? I can’t push you blooming anywhere.” She flung a hand at his huge, tough body. “You try to push that kind of muscle around.”
His eyes got a warm, smoldering look in them that made her stomach flip-flop. And she remembered he had let her back him into that wall and she had pinned him in and basically pushed him around. She bit at her lip. How could they get back to that moment again? She should be worried about the stalker, how her business was doing, how her mum was holding up, how to keep Zeke and Blaine from killing each other, or a hundred other things, but all she could think about was how badly she wanted her Rambo to kiss her.
As if he sensed where her thoughts had gone, he popped off the bed the opposite direction, strode around the king-sized bed to the far side, flipped up the covers, slid in, and said firmly, “Goodnight.”
Mia watched him go, her mouth slightly open. He was irresistibly appealing, and it was more than obvious that he either didn’t reciprocate the feelings growing inside her, thought she toyed with men so he was intentionally keeping his distance, or he was doing one of those barmy, “I’m so tough and must protect you, but never fall for you,” taking the higher road and all that bunk.
She turned away, feeling gutted. She slowly got ready for bed, said a lengthy prayer for her parents, friends, and workers, for her protection from the stalker, gratitude for the Delta family and her protectors, and if possible for Zeke to return these feelings that had sprung up so quickly. As she slid into the twin bed, she hated that he was in the same room but felt so far away.
She was befuddled. How could she have fallen for someone so quickly? Yes, she dated all the time and no, she couldn’t think of a man she’d dated for longer than a week. But that was because no man had drawn her in and captivated her like Captain Zeke Hendrickson had done. And he wasn’t eventryingto capture her like the other men did. It was bully insane.
Rolling from one side to the other, re-forming the pillow over and over, she finally got somewhat comfortable and sleepy. They’d gone to bed far too early when they could’ve stayed up late kissing and talking. She had no idea how late it was when she drifted off.
She awoke to someone moving around the room. Cracking open her eyes, she saw Zeke creeping to the door with athletic shoes in his hand, still wearing the shorts and T-shirt from last night.
She sprang out of bed. “What are—”
Zeke’s hands wrapped around her arms, and she was lifted off her feet and pinned back on the bed before she could finish her sentence. The breath rushed out of her. He was barmy tough. She rather liked him manhandling her like that.
She stared up at his handsome face, murky in the pre-morning light. “Good morning to you too.”
“Forgive me, Mia. Trained reaction. You all right?”
“Fine.” She was more than fine with him touching her. Especially when he didn’t immediately release her. He stared down at her for half a beat.
She inhaled his clean scent and freshly-brushed breath. Scrummy. She bit at her lip.
Letting out a groan, his hands softened on her arms and he murmured, “Why do youdothat?”
“Do what?” she asked, blinking up at him. So close. Maybe she’d been wrong last night. Maybe he was interested, but he was just being super strong. She could work with that.
“Bite your lip like that.” His gaze trailed over her and either the room was lightening or her eyes were adjusting, because she could see the smoky blue of his eyes. Had any gaze ever captured her like his did?
“You don’t like me biting my lip?”
“It’s … appealing.” His eyes widened, and her body lit with hope. “I mean … distracting.”
“Distracting or appealing?” She bit at her lip and prayed it would get him to make a move. He still had his hands wrapped around her arms and was leaning over her. She liked him touching her, she liked him near, she liked him.
“Both,” he admitted in a husky tone.
“Maybe it’s a signal.”
“A signal for what?”
She shouldn’t go for it, but what did she have to lose? He’d broken away from her last night, but today was a new day. “You to kiss me,” she whispered, blinking and arching up toward him.
Zeke released her and straightened, rubbing at his neck.
Disappointment rushed through her. Was he afraid to touch her or to kiss her? She’d never had to pursue a man. She wasn’t sure if she liked it or if it was the most frustrating experience of her life.
She slid out of bed and stood facing him. His gaze trailed over her tank top and yoga pants.
He stepped back, bent, and picked up the trainers he’d dropped when he pinned her down. “I’m going to find a spot in the house to work out. I was going to have whoever is on the cameras watch out for you while you slept, but now that you’re awake …” He paused. His jaw worked, and he rubbed at the back of his neck. She was quite certain she wouldn’t get an invite. His eyes were now a stormy grayish-blue. She really had him stirred up, frustrated, and possibly annoyed. She wanted him to want her, not be frustrated with her.
“Do you want to rest for longer or do you want to … come with me?”