Page 48 of Igniting Sparks

Chapter 11

What Are You Looking At, Sweets?

Mina

“Oh, shit.”

In my defense, I meant to keep that thought in my head, but it flew right out of my mouth the second I walked into our room and saw there was only one bed.

Not just any bed, either. This one is a four-poster masterpiece, complete with more pillows than I know what to do with and bedding that looks too fancy to touch, let alone sleep on.

Braden shoots me a cheeky grin as he places our bags in the corner. “Only one bed, huh?”

“I don’t know what my aunt was thinking.”

Braden leans against the dresser and crosses his arms over his chest, a smirk still playing on his mouth. “Maybe that we’re engaged and sexually active?”

My cheeks flame as I turn my attention to my suitcase. “I can sleep on the floor.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, Mina. No way will I let you sleep on the floor while I take the bed. I have a better idea.”

“Okay.”

Braden walks to the bed and flops back on it. “This thing is huge. I’m pretty sure we’re both going to fit.”

Here’s where my confusion kicks in again. He’s making all these sexually charged statements, intimating… things.

But the last timeIhinted at something, he rejected me.

I’m also sober, which isn’t helping my nerves or my overactive imagination.

Finally, there are my pajamas. Which is a whole other issue entirely.

Screw it. It’s either this or sleep naked.

I grab my nightclothes from the suitcase and motion toward the bathroom. “I’m going to jump in the shower.”

“No problem. I’m going to finish my whiskey and make a few calls.”

Twenty minutes later, I emerge from the steamy bathroom, all snuggly in my pajamas.

Braden’s reaction does not disappoint. He sputters his whiskey the moment he sees me.

“Go ahead, say it.” I throw up my hands in resignation, fully aware I look ridiculous.

A sweet smile replaces the humor as his eyes drift over my body. “You look adorable. Are those elephants?”

I finger one of the pink elephants decorating my fleece pajamas. “Yes. And llamas.”

“Hmm.”

“I wasn’t exactly going for a sexy look. Imagine your face if I walked out in lingerie.”

His eyes lock with mine. “I wouldn’t be laughing.”

“Great. So now I feelandlook ridiculous.” I march to my suitcase, safely stowing my toiletries bag inside.

“Can I say something?” Braden pats the bed beside him.