Page 48

Eden

“I’ll pay you back.”

Bishop straightened from putting the bags on the floor near the dresser. “For what?”

“The clothes.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

“I spent over five hundred dollars.” Just saying the amount made my stomach tighten.

“That’s why I gave you the credit card.”

“Yes, but—”

He turned to face me. “You can never have too many pairs of jeans.” There was absolutely no tone to his voice, but I swear he was laughing at me.

“It’s not funny.”

“It’s a little bit funny.” He walked over to where I was perched on the edge of the bed. “Did you at least pick up the correct sizes?”

“Yes, of course I did.”

“Then don’t give it another thought.”

“I’ll pay you back.” I repeated the words firmly.

Instead of arguing, he sat beside me. “Do you want to tell me what happened today?”

“It was stupid.”

“Tell me.”

“Everything was going fine. There was no one other than us and the staff in the spa. The restaurant Dana picked was secluded and we were seated away from any windows. She’d mentioned a couple of times about wanting to go shopping, and I told myself it’d be fine. What were the chances of Chester being here right now? But then we got there … and there were so many people. It wasn’t like the mall near Glenville. That was busy, too, but it was different somehow.” My fingers twisted together on my lap. “I concentrated on picking up clothes. I wasn’t going to buy anything; it was just to keep my attention on that and not on all the people around us. But all I could think about was how it would only take one person, one security guard, one police officer to see me and recognize me.”

I kept my gaze down, focused on my hands. “And then I guess I panicked. I grabbed clothes as I walked, told the others I was going to try them on and found the first empty changing room. I couldn’t get the thought that Chester was there, that he was already watching me, that it would only be minutes before he turned up, out of my head.”

“Take a breath, Eden.” A warm hand covered mine, and I discovered I was almost gasping, panting, as I rushed the words out.

“You must think I’m an idiot.” I dashed at my eyes angrily with one hand.

“I don’t think you’re an idiot.”

“Well, you should. I do!”

He laughed at that, the sound warm and low. It did something to my insides, twisting them up into tighter knots, and horror washed over me when I finally connected the dots. This was a business arrangement. He was being kind to me because it was what he’d agreed to do.

I could not be attracted to him.

Oh my god.

I was attracted to him!

Movements jerky, I lurched to my feet.

“Where are you going?” His question froze me to the spot. Mild curiosity coated the words.

He had no idea. No idea about how he was affecting me. A slightly hysterical laugh bubbled up and escaped past my lips.

I couldn’t be attracted to him. It was simply because we’d spent so many days together. I was starved for human contact that didn’t require me to be on guard. That was all.

I wasn’t attracted to him.

He stood, frowning. “You’ve turned white. Maybe you should lie down.” I stumbled backward, evading his fingers as he reached out to touch my cheek.

“I’m fine. I just … I …” I looked around wildly. “I need to use the bathroom.” I bolted across the room, and slammed the bathroom door shut behind me, twisting the lock, and spinning to press my back against it.

“Oh my god,” I whispered, sliding down the door to the floor and drawing my knees up to my chin. “What is wrong with you?”

“Eden?” Bishop’s voice just beyond the door made me jump. “Are you okay in there?”

I scrambled to my feet. “I’m fine.” I hurried across to the sink and splashed water onto my face. Gripping the edge of the marble countertop, I glared at my reflection. “You are not attracted to him.”

An image of him as he walked out of the bathroom wrapped in nothing but a towel around his hips swam in front of my eyes. The surprising tattoo sleeve covering one arm from wrist to shoulder, a colorful mass of images that my eyes hadn’t been able to decipher in the few seconds it took me to realize I was staring and look away. The scar along his right side, which disappeared beneath the towel. The intricate back piece as he walked back into the bathroom with his clothes tucked beneath one arm. What had that been? I hadn’t dared to look for long enough to make out the image.

I squeezed my eyes closed.

“Stop it!” I hissed. “Why do you even remember? You didn’t look at him for that long!”

“Eden?” My name was joined by a rapping at the door.

I pushed away from the counter, sucked in a deep breath, then turned back to the door.

He was standing, one hand raised, when I pulled it open. His head canted slightly, dark eyes sweeping over me.

“Are you okay?”

I nodded. “Emotion overload. I’m sorry. I’m okay now.” I kept my voice brisk and walked past him. “What time is the party? Is there anything I can do to help set it up?”

He laughed. “We just have to turn up at seven. Tallulah hired caterers and music.” He checked the watch on his wrist. “I was considering a nap, to be honest.”

“A nap?”

“Something wrong with that?”

“No, but I didn’t see you as the napping type.”

“And you base that on what?” He sank onto the bed, stretched out onto his back, and tucked one hand beneath his head. He turned his face to the side and stared at me.

I shrugged. “The fact you’re a self-confessed workaholic, I guess.”

“I’m on vacation.” A smile tipped one side of his mouth up. “You look dead on your feet. Tonight is going to be chaotic. I think a nap would do you good as well.” He patted the mattress. “I’ll set an alarm for an hour. Come and take a nap with me.”