Chapter 4 #2
"I'm not worried about that." I was worried about a host of other things, like how I'd survive sharing a bathroom with him. Then there was him cooking me breakfast and asking for my help with Hayden.
He'd only gotten more attractive over the years, and it wasn't just his defined muscles; it was his character and how badly he wanted to be a good father. But he wasn't looking for a fling any more than I was.
I was still healing from my ordeal with Flynn. I wasn't ready to jump into anything with someone new. Especially not someone I had a history with. It would be too easy to fall for him again when there was no way we could be together.
I finished eating, and he cleared my dishes, rinsing them before putting them in the dishwasher. The gesture stood out to me because Flynn hadn't done any housework.
He wiped his hands on a towel. "If the offer still stands, I think I'm going for a run on the beach."
"Absolutely. I'm going to set up my computer by the pool before it gets too hot to sit outside." Then I remembered my offer to stay in my room. "Or I can work in my room."
"You can work wherever you want. This is your house too." He leveled me with a serious look. "Thanks for everything."
"You're welcome." My heart fluttered at his gratitude. I went back to my room to change, trying not to think about how he was in his room changing into workout clothes. I threw on a sundress and grabbed my laptop. Then I poured a fresh cup of coffee and sat at the table outside.
I had trouble focusing. I found myself staring at the water in the pool and listening for sounds of the beach. It was a little harder than I thought it would be to work here.
I'd much rather hunt for shells on the beach, but I promised Marshall I'd hang around the house in case Hayden woke up. She was old enough to be home alone, but this was a new place for her, and it was sweet that he worried about her.
I finally focused on my assignment and worked until Marshall came back. He wore a T-shirt and athletic shorts, sweat glistening on his golden skin. "I'm going to jump in the shower."
I swallowed hard. "I haven't seen Hayden yet, so you're good."
Marshall lifted the bottom of his shirt, wiping the sweat from his forehead. I watched, fascinated, as his abs contracted, and I wondered if they'd feel hard. I'd never been with anyone who took care of their body like this.
Even high-school Marshall didn't have those muscles. I wanted to be with this version, the full-grown man who surely knew how to make a woman feel good. We'd explored our sexuality together as teens, but I was confident he'd picked up even more skills since then.
"You good?" Marshall dropped the edge of his shirt, and my cheeks heated.
Had he noticed I'd been ogling him? "Of course."
A grin spread over his face that made me think he knew exactly what I'd been thinking. "I'll just be in the shower.”
The one in our shared bathroom. The one I'd just used that probably still smelled like me. Would he touch himself? I cleared my throat and abruptly stood. "I'm going to get something to drink."
He inclined his head toward my mug. "You have coffee."
"I need water," I croaked, moving past him, opening the slider. I grabbed a glass, filling it with ice and then water from the filter on the outside of the fridge.
Hayden's bedroom door opened, and she padded down the hall, her hair a mess, still in an oversized T-shirt and shorts.
"You want breakfast?" Marshall asked her.
Her lips curled up. "I'm not hungry."
"I'll jump in the shower, then get you something," Marshall offered.
"Whatever." Hayden slumped on the kitchen stool.
I poured a glass of orange juice and placed it in front of her. "I'm working outside. Let me know if you want to take a look at the program in a bit."
She straightened, her eyes more focused. "That would be great."
I was secretly pleased that she was interested in my work. I'd spent my time since college graduation employed by a PR firm where we worked long hours, competing against each other for assignments. It was cutthroat and kind of exhausting.
I slipped outside, leaving her to herself. When I turned to close the door, she'd lifted the glass to her lips. Maybe the trick was to put things in front of her and not ask what she wanted. I'd have to share my suspicions with Marshall.
I was engrossed in my work for a while. Then Marshall brought out a sandwich with chips and an iced tea.
I smiled up at him, shielding the sun from my face. "You didn't have to feed me."
"Hayden said I should because she wanted to come out to ask about that program and didn't want you to be cranky."
I stood up and stretched, noticing that his gaze followed the slight lift of the hem of my shirt when my arms raised above my head. I lowered my hands and moved my laptop out of the way. "Are you eating too?"
"I don't want to bother you."
"I could use a break."
He grinned. "I'll be right back then."
He was lonely, probably not used to the extra time on his hands now that he wasn't working and Hayden didn't need him. Maybe this arrangement would work out after all. I could be Marshall's friend and help him out with his daughter.
We were completely capable of being platonic despite our history. I just had to ignore the shot of electricity that went through my arm whenever our fingers brushed or he got too close.