Being in Arden’s house for the past few days had messed with Keera’s senses. She wasn’t sure what she wanted more—to be left alone, or to have him ravish her for all she was worth. Okay, if she were being honest with herself, she knew what she wanted, but that didn’t change what she should want.
He was being a perfect gentleman, though, making sure she was fed, letting her have the evenings to herself, allowing her to do her own thing. And it was driving her insane.
“Good morning.” The extraperky voice startled Keera as she sat up in bed, gripping the covers tightly to her chest as she gazed at Arden, who was leaning in her doorway, holding a steaming mug of coffee and wearing the sexiest damn smile she’d ever seen.
“Go away,” she muttered. She wasn’t normally a morning person, but for some reason she was even more grumpy than usual.
“I can’t do that. It’s a gorgeous day. The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and you’ve been locked up inside for too long,” he told her. He didn’t move forward, just looked perfectly at ease right where he was.
Her eyes narrowed as she scanned his beautiful body. He looked good no matter what he wore, but with the pair of jeans she was sure had been painted on, and a snug black T-shirt, he was drool-worthy. Even his normally mussed hair looked extra nice this morning. She was sure she looked like an utter wreck, and that wasn’t helping to improve her mood.
“I see you’ve dressed up for the day,” she said a bit too cattily.
“I look good and you know it,” he said with a wink.
“Do you own anything other than skintight black shirts?” she muttered.
He laughed, and she felt her cheeks grow warm.
“Liking the view?” he asked, not a shred of modesty in him.
“I’ve seen better,” she told him. Though, honestly, she hadn’t. The last thing this man needed was his ego stroked. He laughed again.
“I haven’t,” he said, his eyes scanning her from head to toe, making her feel as if the blankets were nonexistent. She tightened her fingers around the comforter and squeezed her thighs together as heat invaded her body. He could turn her to mush with nothing more than a look. If he ever touched her again, she might just combust.
“You look like you’ve been up awhile. Do you have plans?” she asked.
“I’ve been awake long enough. I wanted to let you rest, since it seems you’ve been tossing and turning most nights,” he told her. She hated the concern she saw in his eyes. It made it more difficult to be snotty. “Now get up and meet me in the living room.”
Keera’s body sagged as she sank back into her pillows. She should ignore him, letting him know she’d do things on her own terms. But soon, curiosity won out. What had him so chipper and ready to face the day? Trying not to rush as she showered and dressed, Keera still felt a need to get out there to see Arden.
When she did come out to the living room, Arden wasn’t there. But it only took her a few seconds to allow the smells emanating from the kitchen to lead her there. She found him cooking a nice breakfast, humming as he flipped eggs.
“Where’s Angela?” she asked.
“It’s her day off. I can cook,” he told her.
“You’ve already proven that,” she told him. He’d made her a few meals. She definitely owed him one or two at some point.
“Dig in,” he said as he handed her a plate. Keera wasn’t so stubborn that she was going to turn down a good breakfast.
The two of them dished up, then sat at the table, Keera taking a few long swallows of her coffee before scooping up her food. She’d definitely have to switch to his brand of coffee when she went home. It was rich and dark, and she had been spoiled by it.
He was quiet as he ate, letting her wake up. Though it had only been a few days she’d been staying with him, it seemed as if they were already learning each other’s habits. He knew it took her a few minutes to feel human in the morning. He did like to push her, but he also knew when to back off.
“Thanks for breakfast. It’s wonderful,” she told him.
“Not a problem. I like cooking for you. Much better than cooking for one,” he said.
“It’s easier, faster, and cheaper to cook for one,” she pointed out.
He looked at her and smiled. “But not as satisfying.”
“I’ll have to agree,” she said. “It kind of takes the joy out of the food prep when there’s no one to tell you how wonderful it is.”
“I fully agree,” he said.
“Have you heard anything back from the police yet?” she asked. She hated bringing up the case when the morning was going so well, but unfortunately, her life revolved around the mysteries at both the school and her apartment—at least for now.
“There’s nothing new,” he told her.
Keera finished her breakfast and lifted her leg up on the chair, wrapping her arm around her knee and squeezing. Her fingers wandered down her shin, and she found herself playing with the necklace she’d turned into an anklet, feeling comfort touching the cold metal.
“You seem to wear that often,” he said as he eyed the gold heart.
She felt a pang in her chest. “My brother gave this to me,” she said, fighting the urge to cry. “It was only a couple days before he . . . died. Wearing it makes me feel as if he’s not really gone, but I worry I’ll lose it.”
He reached for her, his fingers resting on top of her hand, making her still as she gazed at him.
“I hope I can help you get the answers you need so badly,” he told her. Her reply got stuck in her throat as she grew lost in his eyes.
“You’ve done more for me than anyone else,” she said. “It means a lot.”
“I’m not doing anything more than anyone else would do,” he said, looking away.
“Why do you do that?” she asked.
He looked at her again, confusion in his expression. “Do what?”
“You tend to downplay when you go above and beyond what most people do,” she told him.
“I don’t do that. But I think if you’re searching for affirmation or credit for helping another person, then you’re doing it for the wrong reason,” he told her.
“I agree with that,” she said. “But that doesn’t mean you can’t also gracefully accept a thank-you.”
His lips turned up, and then he chuckled. She was confused.
“Ah, I’ve just gotten the principal voice,” he said as he continued chuckling.
“You did not,” she said, pushing his hand away as she sat back and crossed her arms.
“It’s okay,” he told her. “I find the principal voice pretty damn sexy.”
And just like that, the teasing faded, and warmth infused her. She gazed at him, wondering if they were going to be able to stay in this house much longer without combusting. When the silence stretched on too long, and the heat rose too many degrees, Arden finally rose, allowing her to take a breath.
“We need to get out of here for a while. Grab a coat. We’ll go on a hike,” he said as he walked away from the table.
They tended to go on a lot of hikes. Maybe that was good. It was better than sitting in his house lusting after a man who clearly thought one time with her was plenty. With a sigh, she rose from the table and went to her room.
It was just one more day in a seemingly endless amount of time where she didn’t know which way was up and which was down. For as organized a person as she was, the feeling wasn’t a good one.
But at least this was a new adventure in life. Maybe, just maybe, it would be one that didn’t end with her utter devastation. She could always hope.