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Chasing after that falling acorn of a thought, I released my hold on Ashton’s hand and threw my arms around Rhett regardless of his coolness toward me. I closed my eyes at the delicious scent of man and pine, the warmth of his hard chest against my cheek. His heart thumped beneath my ear in a steady cadence.
I wished to caress his soul, to ease whatever pain he felt that kept him so tightly bottled up inside.
Rhett didn’t hug me in return—but he didn’t push me away either.
“I-I made dinner,” I stated quietly, stepping back and giving Rhett space since he obviously wasn’t the touchy-feely type like Ashton and me. My gaze flitted from the floor to Ashton who watched us with a soft smile on his face. If he wasn’t worried about Rhett’s reaction to my silly, unintended words, then maybe there was hope.
“I’m starved,” Ashton said, grabbing his bag off the floor from where he’d dropped it to spin me around in his arms.
What a moment that had been—
I glanced once more at Rhett to find his eyes less harsh than moments before. Perhaps my hug had comforted him in some way. “Rhett?” I asked even though I wasn’t sure what I needed answered, so many questions flitting about in my brain.
Do you like me even the slightest?
Think I’m pretty—or a stupid idiot?
Are you ready for me to leave without giving me a chance?
“I could eat,” he murmured an answer I hadn’t expected, and I smiled in the slight relief his words offered.
“Why don’t you two take your things to your room and get…more comfortable.” I found myself loosening Rhett’s tie—and he humored me. “I’ll set the table and pour some wine to go with our roasted chicken.” I retreated from his personal space once more, my hands dropping to my sides. “I was thinking a light-bodied red like—”
“Pinot noir,” Rhett suggested at the same time I did.
My chest lightened as I smiled, feeling calm for the first time since he’d walked in the door.
A flash of something moved through his eyes, so damn quickly I didn’t catch it—but it hadn’t been disgust or annoyance.
He nodded and followed Ashton toward their bedroom.
I released my breath until it felt like my lungs caved in before turning to pull the chicken from the oven to let it rest. I’d already slaved over creamy mashed potatoes made with sour cream and butter, and the fresh broccoli I’d roasted with garlic, salt, and pepper just need a quick reheat.
The table sat ready, wine poured, and the two men still hadn’t come downstairs. Did I call out that dinner was ready? Wait while the food grew cold? Or go look for them?
I couldn’t imagine raising my voice would impress Rhett any…
My feet took me up the stairs, on course without much thought beyond finding them unpacking, wasting time until I let them know it was time to eat.
Their bedroom door stood open.
Rhett and Ashton had changed into lounge-type pants and T-shirts, and they stood wrapped up in each other’s arms, foreheads pressed together in a beautiful picture of unconditional love.
My chest ached even as warmth blossomed between my thighs.
A sigh escaped me, drawing their focus off one another.
Ashton’s face lit in a grin.
Rhett frowned, his soft eyes hardening at the sight of me.
“Dinner’s ready,” I whispered. “Sorry…”
I scurried away, wringing my hands.
Somehow, someway, I needed to show that man I was no threat, that I was worthy of his time and attention.
I’d already fallen in too deep with Ashton for things to go anywhere but how I’d been dreaming about since first laying eyes on one half of @desiringanangel.