2 #3
“Bugs? Bats? Anything.”
Voice squeaking, she asked, “Bats?”
That made up his mind. “Window first, then.” While she protested, he quickly got the cardboard up, then sealed the edges with
painter’s tape. It wouldn’t keep out an intruder, but it would keep out prying eyes and insects.
After he pulled in the car, he ensured that the garage window, and an exterior door, which led to the backyard, were also
locked.
Within ten minutes, he was back. He found Glory wavering on her feet. “How many rooms are left?”
“My bedroom, the main bathroom, and the guest bedroom.”
One shower? That could be tricky, but he’d deal with it. “Okay, let’s do this.”
Her eyes flared comically.
“Don’t put ideas in my head, honey. I meant let’s finish checking out the house so you can get some sleep.”
She let out a breath. “You must be sleepy, too.”
“I’m beat.” But he’d leave his door open and listen for her annoying Romeo, just in case.
Her bedroom was nice. The bed and two nightstands were flanked by windows, both locked and covered with curtains. “I notice
a neutral theme going on here.”
Fingers laced together, she looked around the room as if seeing it for the first time. “I’m a little afraid of color.”
“Yeah? Why’s that?”
“I’m not great at decorating and—”
“That’s a joke, right? Everything you’ve done so far looks amazing. Like a designer did it or something.”
She flushed. “The sales clerks helped.” Together, they stepped into the bathroom.
Kam whistled. “Wow, this is a showstopper.” A beautiful free-standing slipper tub was positioned smack-dab in front of floor-to-ceiling windows, thankfully covered by long drapes.
The separate shower was enclosed in glass.
Wooden shelves held towels. Opposite the tub were double sinks and the toilet.
Everything was in cream-colored ceramic trimmed in bronze-toned brass.
“I really like this bathroom. It’s what sold me on the house—well, that and the proximity to Callie.” She lifted a shoulder.
“She’s staying in Hoker, so I’m staying in Hoker.”
“The two of you are close, I know.”
“We are, but I like the town. It’s grown on me.”
Kam remembered how much she’d hated it at first. Everything about it had put her off, including his brother, Tanner. It was
nice that she’d softened on things—for Callie.
“It’s the only full bathroom, but you can see that it not only opens into my bedroom, but also the hall.” She stared worriedly
at the hall door.
Using only two fingers, Kam lifted her chin. “Once I clean up for the night, I won’t come in here again. Don’t worry about
me busting in on you.”
She blinked fast. “I was just thinking, I’ll have to remember to knock on the door before I come in. If you wouldn’t mind
doing the same?”
He could have teased her, and God knew all sorts of scenarios ran through his head, but in that moment, more than anything
else, he wanted to reassure her. “I’ll be sure to knock. When I’m in here, I’ll lock both doors, then I’ll unlock them before
I step out.”
She smiled up at him. “Good idea. I’ll do the same.”
Her sweet expression, which was rarely aimed at him, felt like an invitation—until she bolted past him and said, “The guest
room is right here. It has a half bath, but that’s all.”
He peeked in and saw a toilet, pedestal sink, hand towels over a rail, and a matching rug on the floor. “It’s nice.”
“I’m sorry it’s small, but the bedding is all clean and the pillows and quilt are new.”
Kam trailed behind her, his thoughts everywhere they shouldn’t be. Damn, but it was like Tanner had gotten married and now
everything was different, including Glory—and how he felt about her.
“It’ll be great, thanks.” At least it had a full-size bed. Nothing fancy, which suited him. As she’d said, pillows, sheets,
a quilt, even a small lamp on the nightstand . . . “It’s everything I’d need.”
Sleeping with her would have been better, but he’d make do. Tomorrow, they’d have to figure out how to get their cars fixed,
get her window repaired, and share the workload for Callie and Tanner so they could enjoy a few post-wedding days off.
It was going to take some juggling, but he’d have all night to figure it out. It was certain he wouldn’t be sleeping.
Glory turned over, trying to get comfortable without much success. She sank into the soft mattress she loved so much, closed
her eyes . . . and stayed awake.
She could still hear Kam moving around. Subtle sounds that made her wonder what he was doing. One thing that was different
though: She didn’t notice the usual sounds of the house settling.
Every sense she possessed was on him.
Listening to him shower had been a revelation. Even with the door locked on her side, she’d stared at it, wondering if it’d
suddenly open and he’d be standing there in his naked magnificence.
Hey, a girl could dream. And she did, with her eyes wide open, just in case.
Until moving in here, she’d never slept alone in a house. After her parents had died, she’d grown up as part of Callie’s family. When she’d gone out on her own, it was to an upscale apartment with people living above, below, and on either side of her.
Being alone in a house meant she usually heard every little thing: the settling of the house, the wind outside, the rustling
of a branch against the roof . . . Tonight, all she heard was Kam finishing up in the shower, then the click as he unlocked
the door from the bathroom side.
Her heart went into her throat and stayed there, but a moment later, she heard the hallway door close, and then his footsteps
as he went to the guest room.
Vivid images of him naked continued to plague her. Not that she knew for a fact how he looked, but she’d seen him shirtless
and that gave her a little to go on.