Page 9

As if the universe itself is trying to tell me something, at just that moment, I yawn. I can't quite stifle it, either.

"See?" Cayden strokes his thumb over my knuckles. "You're dead on your feet. Stay the night, at least."

At least? What is he trying to imply?

I'm too tired to argue any more, though. We can continue this discussion in the morning. "Fine, fine."

"Good." Cayden glances at my empty bowl. "You done?"

I nod.

"Let me show you to your room, then."

Setting the blanket aside, I let him haul me to my feet. He scoops up my bag, and I'm grateful all over again that I left my vibrator at home, because the flap falls open. An assortment of things falls out. I packed hastily, so it's a mishmash of stuff—shampoo and sweatpants.

Skimpy lace panties and a matching, barely-there bra.

My face heats. I duck down to reach for them, but Cayden beats me. The sheer fabric looks even flimsier when it's gripped in his big, work-worn hands. He's gentle with them, though. The image of him peeling the panties off my body assaults me. Would he be that delicate then? Or would he tear the lace in his rush to get at hungry flesh?

Blushing hotter, I take the stupid things from him and shove them back into my bag.

"Sorry," I mumble.

"Don't be." His voice stops me in my tracks. It practically drips with heat, and I feel a wash of it hum through my body. I meet his gaze, and my breasts ache with wanting. I clench down inside, only it does nothing to ease the need.

"Come on." I drop my gaze, hoping he'll just lead me from this room.

My fog of desire is even worse than it was back in the truck, sandwiched between Cayden and Jax's big, muscular frames. I'm not thinking straight. I have to get myself behind a locked door and get myself off before my lust-addled brain really lands me in hot water.

He takes mercy, thank God, leading me out. I skirt past Deandre, who gives me a reassuring, lingering pat on the shoulder as I pass. Sergio just nods, while Adam tries a smile. I refuse to so much as meet Jax's gaze, but I feel him like he has his own gravity. Like he's as big and as hot as the sun.

I heave out a breath as we turn the corner. I'm trying to be subtle about my relief, but I don't do so great of a job.

Cayden shoots me a concerned look. "Sorry, I know those guys can be a little much."

"No. It's not that. They're nice." I shake my head. "Well, except Jax, he's still an asshole, but…"

Cayden laughs. "You two are still like oil and water, huh?"

"Maybe oil and kerosene…" I don't know what it is about him, but he sets me off every time. Gets under my skin—and not in a good way. At least not for the most part…

"Jax aside, though. You seemed really tense in there."

"It wasn't the guys." I shrug. "It's just…everything. You know?"

"I can imagine." With a sympathetic look, he wraps his arm around me. "You've had a rough time of it."

"You don't even know…" Out of nowhere, my eyes sting, my vision blurring.

He knows about my grandmother and my father having to go back to work. But he doesn't know the rest. The pieces of my life I'm going to have to face again eventually.

The mess with my ex, Richard, and my disenchantment with my job. My missing muse and my stagnant aspirations.

All the things I'm hiding from, up here on Lonely Peak.

"You want to tell me about it?"

For a second, I consider it, but I'm an exhausted mess, and this is Cayden Tucker holding me as he guides me down the hall of his childhood home. So many pre-teen fantasies are close enough to taste. I don't want to mess them up by crying all over him, or letting too much spill out.