“Sometimes.”
“I’m sorry. I know what it’s like to have nightmares.” There was something in his voice. Something raw. And real.
She was so used to him brushing everything off. That arrogance he wore like a cloak seemed to protect him from everything.
She’d never sensed him being vulnerable. And yet, right now, something seemed to be hurting him. Or at least, putting him in a strange mood.
“I’m sorry you have nightmares,” she whispered. She felt this urge to soothe him. To take care of him. “Zander, what’s wrong? Why are you in here? Did something go wrong with the job? I thought that you tracked down the person you were sent to find?”
“We did. We found him. He’s in custody.”
So then what was wrong, then? Why was he so down? Why was he just sitting there, watching her?
There was a surprisingly dejected air about him as he sat there, and she couldn’t help but want to move closer, to soothe him.
“I should leave you to sleep.”
He didn’t move, though. She wasn’t sure what had brought him in here. But she couldn’t let him leave like this.
“Would you like to stay?” she whispered.
“I don’t want to keep you awake.”
“Zander, stay. Please. I won’t sleep if you leave now.”
He simply nodded and stayed in the chair.
“Would you like to hop into bed with me?”
“I should shower.”
“You’re fine like you are.” She got the sense that he needed her to take charge right now. It wasn’t a situation she was used to or that comfortable with. But she’d try. For him.
“Zander, come to bed.”
Another nod. Then he stood. She gave a small gasp at the suddenness. Hopefully, he didn’t hear that. She should have known better. Zander seemed to notice everything.
“I should go. I’m scaring you.”
“You just moved quick. I’m fine. Get undressed and get into bed.”
Another nod. He disappeared into the bathroom. A shiver of excitement ran through her.
He’s hurting.
You have got no business being turned on by the idea of having him in your bed.
Bad Keira.
She smacked the top of her hand.
“What are you doing? Why did you just do that?” he asked, coming toward her from the bathroom.
In just boxers.
Holy heck balls! Maybe she should turn on the bedside light. Just in case he tripped.
Because she was caring like that.