Page 56

She sighed. “I bet you wish I’d picked another place to stay. Someone else’s coffee machine to set on fire.”
He carefully pressed a bandage over her wound, then dropped a kiss to her shoulder. “No, I don’t. I’m glad you came to my island, Hollis Stanton.”
Her fingers curled around his jaw and her mouth touched his. She leaned into him, moaning as she deepened the kiss.
“No.” He pulled back reluctantly.
She groaned. “Is this that, ‘I’m vulnerable and need to rest’ thing again?”
“Yes. I want to take care of you, protect you.”
“Be careful, Sawyer. I could fall for you.” She rose. “I’m going to borrow a toothbrush and a T-shirt.”
He watched her disappear into his bedroom. Hell, Hollis Stanton was in his bedroom.
I could fall for you.
Shit. He rose and checked the house, locking the doors. He pulled out his phone and checked the exterior cameras he had installed when he first moved in. He adjusted the tolerance on the alerts. If anyone tried to sneak up on them, he’d know.
When he entered his bedroom, he found Hollis wearing his T-shirt, and sitting cross legged on his bed. His cock took a lot of notice. That red hair was loose and looked as soft as silk.
He’d never had a type before, but he did now.Hollis.
Damn, he liked seeing her in his T-shirt.
He took a quick shower and pulled on some boxer shorts. He turned the lights off and sat on the edge of the bed. Hollis was already under the sheet, but tossing and turning. She whacked the pillow.
“Hollis, you need to relax.”
“That is impossible.” She flopped backward on the bed. “The shooting just keeps running through my head.” Then she lifted her head. “Are you getting into bed?”
Sawyer rubbed his jaw. “I’ve…never slept in this bed.”
She sat up, watching him carefully. “Never?”
“I’ve tried.” He released a breath. He hated talking about this. “I don’t sleep well. I just take a few catnaps. Usually in my armchair.”
She was quiet for a moment. “You mentioned this before. And Benny did too. You have trouble getting to sleep?”
“Yeah. And staying asleep.” He shrugged. “I’m used to it. I don’t need a lot of sleep.”
“Everyone needs to rest, Sawyer. I’ve been having nightmares since this Reuben thing started.” She smiled. “Except when I’m sleeping with you.” She cocked her head. “You slept in bed with me at my place the other night.”
“I did. Had the best few hours sleep I’ve had in a long time.”
She held out a hand. “Then maybe you just need me beside you.”
He took her elegant hand in his, and let her tug him down beside her.
“Besides, I need you or I won’t sleep,” she said. “I just can’t get my brain to turn off. I keep hearing the gunshots, seeing the broken glass everywhere, people screaming…”
“I guess I’ll have to help you sleep.”
“What—?”
He pulled her over his body until she straddled him.
“Sawyer—”