Chapter 16
CHAPTER 16
DALLAS
I t takes me a while to fall asleep because it’s been a very long time since I’ve shared a bed with anyone. And never with anyone as adorable as Rose.
Finally, my lids fall closed, but after what feels like only a few minutes, the bed shakes, and Rose pads over to the bathroom.
When she walks back to the bed, she stops and looks around.
“You okay?” I keep my voice low so that I don’t startle her.
“How can I make it not so cold. I’m freezing.”
How can the woman be cold?
“Get under the covers, I’ll take care of it.” I adjust the thermostat, and the air stops blowing. “Better?”
“Much. Thank you.” Within minutes, her breathing settles into a deep rhythm.
But I’m back to being wide awake. And now warm. I strip off my T-shirt and hope for sleep. We’re supposed to attend a family brunch in the morning, and I need to be alert.
Even after being up so late, my internal clock has me stirring as the sun breaks the horizon. An icy foot touches my leg and then another. That jolts me out of my haze.
Without moving my leg, I tug the blankets up over Rose’s shoulder. She sighs and snuggles closer to the pillow wall, which has a gap where she’s kicked one out of the way.
I pick up my phone and scroll to kill time, letting Rose use my warmth while she gets more sleep.
Colt’s advice was helpful, and I might be freaking out right now if not for his perspective. Knowing this is a temporary arrangement has made it easier to be what Rose needs while dealing with her parents. Mostly her mother. I’m not sure if Mr. Potts agrees with his wife or simply has no spine.
But I have one. It’s not as long as some, but it’s made of steel. And I’ll stand up to whomever I need to in order to protect Rose. After all, that’s why I’m here.
She stirs, then drapes an arm over the makeshift divider. Her cold hand lands on my shoulder.
I’m not sure why I agreed to this. It’s crazy really. But I guess it’s a way to pay it forward. I had a great childhood. My parents were awesome. When Rose pleaded her case the first time we met, I cared more that she’d end up pretending with a guy who would take advantage of her. She’s trusting. And I don’t want that tenderness shattered by a selfish dud with one thing on his mind.
But now I realize that she needs to be protected because of those close to her. Not just some playboy with opportunity.
I’m scrolling one-handed so I don’t disturb her. The coolness of her fingers feels good against my skin because the room is somewhat stuffy without the air blowing. It’s no wonder she’s cold though because she has about as much body fat as a dragonfly.
“Oh!” Her head pops up off the pillow and she stares at her hand. “I didn’t mean to?—”
I lay my hand on top of hers. “You’re fine. I’m guessing you got cold.”
“Yeah. I’m always cold. But you’re like a portable heater. It’s kind of awesome.” She shifts her head onto the pillow wall. “Did you sleep okay?” Her gaze sweeps over every exposed inch of my bare chest.
It’s not much to look at, but I think I know why she’s checking me out. “Yeah, I slept okay. If you’re looking for my tattoo, you won’t find it on my chest.”
She snickers. “Then roll over and let me see your back.”
“It’s not there either.”
She brushes her thumb across my shoulder. “You realize I’m going to think about that tattoo a lot.”
I chuckle. “What time is brunch?”
“Eleven. What time is it now?”
“Eight twelve.” I could run and get coffee, but moving out of this spot doesn’t appeal to me at the moment.
“Can I ask you a question?”
“Sure.”
“Did Sage say anything else? Anything you don’t want to tell me?”
I roll to my side, and she shifts her hand to the bed.
“He thought you were overreacting by moving out. But I explained that I’d encouraged it because of Floofy. I don’t think he’d heard the real story. Just a version of it. And when I told him what went down, he changed his tune. And he also said that he wants me to take care of you.”
She drags her finger across a wrinkle in the sheet, smoothing it out. “I love my brother, but I’m not sure he’ll ever see me as anything other than his little sister. Too fragile to make her own decisions.”
“If it makes you feel any better, he thinks you made a wise choice when it comes to me.”
“It doesn’t. It just means that six months from now, after the wedding, when we stop pretending, Sage will give me that disappointed look.”
“You can tell him you broke up with me because I was hard to get along with.”
“Oh no, at the end of this, I am not going to be the bad guy. Getting dumped will win me some sympathy, and I plan to milk that for all I can.” She trails her finger over a small scar near my eyebrow. “What happened?”
“I had a run in with a barbed wire fence.”
“I’m sorry. That must’ve hurt. Have you always worked as a cowboy?”
I shake my head. My life is divided into two sections, the before and after. Before getting dumped and then losing my parents is a time I rarely talk about. The after, working as a ranch hand, has kept me content. “Nope. Remember how I talked about going through a rough time? Well, during that span, I quit my job. Found a job as a ranch hand. And I love what I do.”
“What did you do before?”
“I was in finance.”
She lifts her head off the pillow. “Like suit-and-tie-at-the-office kind of finance?”
“Like that, yes. But I much prefer what I do now.”
Her smile widens. “Cowboy suits you.”
I’m fighting the urge to lean forward a few inches and kiss her. Which I shouldn’t do for lots of reasons. “Were you and Cara close growing up?”
“No. Sage is five years older than I am. Same age as Richard. And Cara is three years older. To them, I was the baby, and that never really changed. Don’t get me wrong. I like Cara, and I think she’s perfect for Sage. But we aren’t close.”
“Are you in the wedding?”
“A bridesmaid.” She holds up crossed fingers. “Let’s hope the dresses aren’t awful.”
I can’t imagine Rose looking awful in anything. “I should go grab us some coffee. And that will give you some time alone in the room.”
“Okay.” She eyes me as I roll out of bed and reach for my shirt.
“Didn’t believe me when I said the tattoo wasn’t on my back?”
With raised eyebrows, she grins. “I’m just looking at you.”
I toss my T-shirt at her, then carry clothes into the bathroom to get dressed. I like Rose. And I hope that after her brother’s wedding we can remain friends. Because I’m enjoying her bit of sunshine in my life.