Page 18 of Cru's Crush

His eyes bored into mine. “I’m not finding you a husband, though. Let’s get that straight right now.”

5

CRU

It had been bad enough watching Daphne and Beau together. I couldn’t go down that road with her and another man who wasn’t me, and I sure as hell wouldn’t play matchmaker.

“It’s late. Should I stay with your mum?”

“You can stay here.” I stood. “The bedroom is in the back.”

Daphne’s eyes were wide. “You do know I was joking about finding me a husband.”

“Of course I did.” I scrubbed my face. “I’m tired.” Not that it explained why I was suddenly being such an asshole.

“If it wouldn’t be horribly inconvenient, given I don’t have a car, I’d stay elsewhere?—”

“Don’t do that,” I snapped. “We agreed.”

“I didn’t agree to put up with your surliness.” She folded her arms. “I’ve never known you tobe so moody.”

If only I could pull her into my arms, stroke her cheek with my fingertip, apologize, and kiss her, all would be right with my world. Instead, I was being an asshole. “I’m sorry.”

“I have to admit I don’t understand. Is it something I’ve done?”

What could I say? That I was being a douche because I couldn’t stand the idea of her with another man? Or that being near her turned me on so much I’d had to leave the room so she didn’t notice how my erection strained against my jeans? Or that I couldn’t remember the last time I’d had sex, yet the idea of being with anyone but her not only turned me off, but made me sick to my stomach? I couldn’t say any of those things. Worse would be if I acted on the intense desire I felt for her.

Instead of doing one of the things I knew would result in me losing her friendship, I was doing the other.

“I’m sorry,” I repeated, putting my hands in my pockets to stop myself from reaching for her.

“You haven’t answered my question.”

“I’m out of sorts, and as I said, I’m tired. While I know what you went through was horrific, as you said, I was still crazy with worry, terrified that something hadhappened to you. The idea that…” My voice clogged with emotion, and I couldn’t go on.

Daphne stepped closer and, when she couldn’t get me to take my hands from my pockets, wound her arms around my waist. “Why won’t you hug me?” she whispered.

I sighed and embraced her. “I was so afraid I’d lose you.”

Daphne rested her head on my chest. “Thank you for finding me. For saving me.”

“You had to know I would.”

I felt her nod. “I don’t know why I didn’t call you.”

“It doesn’t matter. You’re here, you’re safe, and that’s all I care about.”

She removed her arms from around me and took a step back. “We should get some rest.”

I led her to the bedroom and showed her where I kept extra pillows, blankets, and towels.

“I just remembered my bag is in your car.”

“I’ll go get it.”

“There’s no need if you have a spare toothbrush.”

I pointed to a couple still in their packages, along with unopened toothpaste.