Thankfully, he stubs his toe on his way over to me. “Fuck.” He flops down onto the corner of the bed, and because it’s a soft mattress, it doesn’t support his weight, so he falls to the floor.
I laugh like he did when we first walked into the retirement center. “I’m taking a shower, Rico Suave.”
I head into the bathroom and shut the door, wishing I had the nerve to ask Gavin to join me. It’s getting harder and harder to remember why he’s off-limits and why the two of us together is a recipe for disappointment.
The bathroom is clean but dim. Gavin was right with the whole bomb shelter vibe this place gives off. Inside the shower there’s a small shampoo, conditioner, and soap, and I find fresh towels in a cabinet.
I hurry and take a shower. The warm water running down my neck and shoulders feels like heaven. At some point while I’m soaping my body, the thought that I’ll be sharing a bed with Gavin floats into my consciousness. Do I have the willpower Grandma Ethel thinks I have? I’m not sure.
Once I’m done, I dry off and take my first good look at the nightgown. Holding it up in the dim light, I feel my eyes bulge. I cannot wear this in front of Gavin. It’s formfitting, very lacy, and something meant for seduction.
What is it with these women? Do they have pseudo-lingerie at the ready, just in case?
I slip the silk over my head. It fits like a dream. Obviously Midge hasn’t worn this in a while, though I’m starting to doubt it was ever actually hers.
There’s a deep V in the center of my breasts and thin straps drape the gorgeous garment off my shoulders. I pick up the long silk skirt with two fingers and pull it away from my legs, twirling around like a princess. The soft pink color pulls out the red in my hair. Now I just have to get from the door into bed without him seeing me.
I open the door a slit. “Turn around.”
He’s on the edge of the bed, his phone in his hands. “Why? She gave you pajamas. I promise not to jump you while you’re in grandma pajamas.” He glances over and I slam the door shut.
“I’m serious. Turn around.”
He groans. “Fine, but hurry. I just wanna take a shower.”
“The sooner you turn away, the sooner you’re in the shower.”
“Just come out. I won’t look.”
I peek through the opening to see that his back is to me, so I sprint across the small room and dive under the covers on the bed. “Okay, all clear.”
He looks over at me. “Are blankets up to your neck really necessary?”
“If you saw what I’m wearing, you’d understand.”
He grabs the blankets at the bottom of the bed. “Maybe I need to check out the view.”
I grip the blankets with my fingers until my knuckles are white. “Don’t you dare.”
He laughs and walks into the bathroom, shutting the door.
I pull the blankets off me a bit and lie in the bed. I actually like this nightie. It’s the old-school kind that makes me feel sexy without showing off my ass or nipples. Now most men want a woman naked or half naked, ready and willing. The men I’ve been with have no appreciation for lingerie or foreplay.
I collect my clothes and knock on the bathroom door. “I need your clothes.”
“They’re on the floor. I’m in the shower.”
“Well, get out and toss them out the door.”
“Just come in and get them, I’m not shy.”
I growl and inch the door open. “Do not even think about opening that curtain,” I warn.
He pretends to ruffle it and I grab his clothes and slam the door. His laugh floats from the other side. Sometimes he makes it hard not to hate him.
I set the clothes outside the door, lock it, and climb back under the blankets. There is literally nothing to put a barrier between us, so I inch as far as I can on the right side.
It’s hard not to think of him naked on the other side of that door. I imagine what he might be doing at that exact moment. Washing his hair, rinsing the suds, running the same soap I used all over his body…
When the water shuts off, my heartbeat accelerates, and I try to calm myself down.
You totally have this, Posey. You’re going to be fine. He’s just going to sleep beside you. It’s no different than if he was Mandi.
I close my eyes as he opens the door.
“I know you’re not asleep. I heard your grunts of frustration.”
I open my eyes and shut them again. “You’re only wearing a towel!”
“That’s because you took my boxer briefs and I already told you I’m not wearing a dead man’s pajamas.”
I sit up to fight with him and the sheet falls to my lap, but I recover quickly before he catches a glimpse. “You’re not sleeping in this bed naked.”
“I’ll leave the towel on,” he says, but the wicked smirk says he’s playing with me.
I shake my head vigorously. “No way.”
He puts his arms out to his sides. “I don’t know what you want me to do. You took my boxer briefs.”
“Because you have pajamas.”
“Again, a dead man’s pajamas.”
I growl and flop back onto the mattress, kicking and screaming like a child.
“You’re going to alert someone to us being in here,” he says.
I roll over on my side. “Fine. Turn off the lights. Whatever. I just need to sleep, but if you try to spoon me at some point, I can’t be blamed for what happens.”
“That’s the kind of threat that makes Erwin scared of you.” He turns off the lights and the mattress dips.
I inhale and exhale, trying to remain calm and steady my breathing, but my body thinks it’s about to have a big chocolate cake all to itself and doesn’t cooperate. “I’m not scary.”
“To Erwin you are. Not to me. I actually enjoy your numerous moods.”
I move to roll over but stop myself. “I do not have mood swings.”
“I didn’t say you did. I said numerous moods, but let’s go to bed. You’re cranky when you don’t sleep.”
I guffaw. “Okay, you have no way of knowing that.”
“Sorry, I assumed. I guess I’m an ass.”
“Yes, you are,” I say and dramatically throw myself into the mattress. “Good night.” I tug the covers tighter to me.
“Good night,” he says, sweet and soft.
Silence falls over the dark room. The last thing I’m going to do tonight is sleep. I can’t see him at all, but I can feel that he’s close. It’s like my body is plugged into a generator and energy thrums through my veins.
“You know I run into people like Leeann all the time.” His voice is low.
“What?”
“People who only see me for what I’ve done. Don’t you wonder why Leeann would give me her number when she doesn’t even know me? I know you saw, and I know you’re jealous.”
I huff. “I’m not jealous.”
“Good.”
I exhale and take the bait. “Why is that good?”
“Because if we’re going to be together, then you’ll have to learn to deal with women fawning over me.”
I snort. “You really do think highly of yourself.”