As If You Never Left Me (Crimson Romance) by Katriena Knights Read Free Book Online Page A

features — except for an eyebrow that insisted on quirking upward — she met his scrutiny evenly.
    “You at least want a toothbrush or something,” she said finally.
    Whatever he’d been looking for on her face, he must not have found it, because now he looked disappointed. “Yeah. Probably.”
    He rolled off the couch and walked toward the door. She yanked the plug out of the bottom of the sink and stood for a moment watching the water drain. When it had finally emptied, she dried her hands and went back into the living room.
    The couch was still warm where he’d been lying. She laid her hand on the warm space and sat still for a moment. His smell lingered. Reluctantly, she drew her hand away and moved to the other end of the couch. She’d just settled into a spot when he came back in, lugging a large suitcase and a smaller computer bag. He set them down next to the couch.
    “So this is my room?” The corner of his mouth twitched.
    “Yes.”
    He sat next to her. She stood up, to get away from his warmth, his smell, all the temptation they sparked in her. “I’m going to bed.”
    “It’s eight o’clock,” he said, dubious.
    Joely got the feeling Rey knew exactly why she was trying to leave. “I’m tired,” she protested weakly.
    He pointed at the TV. “I thought you liked this show.”
    Joely hesitated, surprised he remembered. “Well, I — ”
    “Just sit down and watch it. I won’t bite.”
    “I’m not worried about getting bitten.” Although biting wasn’t necessarily a bad thing …
    He shrugged, his smile not quite smug. “Okay, I won’t touch you, then.”
    That hit closer to the root of the problem. She waffled again, then gave in and sat at the far end of the couch. Which still didn’t leave much room between them. She could still smell him, could feel his warmth if she concentrated a little. She really needed a bigger couch.
    He kept his promise, though, and gradually her unease faded. Fifteen minutes later, they were laughing companionably over the antics of the familiar characters. They’d always enjoyed watching TV together, though usually they’d sat much closer together, close enough she could feel his laughter before it started. Even now, with the distance between them, she felt some of the same camaraderie. Especially since they both still laughed at the same jokes. Maybe there was a chance, after all.
    She forced her thoughts away from maybes, and made herself concentrate on the television. Finally, about halfway through the late news, she found herself yawning.
    “Tired?” Rey asked.
    “Yeah. And I have to get up in the morning to go to work.” She headed for the hall closet. “Let’s get that bed made up.”
    “Just toss me some blankets. I’ll take care of it.”
    That worked. If he made up the couch himself, she wouldn’t have to help him. Wouldn’t have to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with him thinking about the two of them together in bed, under sheets, over sheets, tangled in them.
    No, much better if he did it himself. So she tossed him sheets, a blanket, a quilt and a pillow from the hallway. He caught them, looking bemused.
    “I don’t need this many blankets.”
    “That’s what you think, city boy.” She tossed him another blanket. “Weren’t you watching the weather?”
    “Yeah. Do you really think it’ll snow tonight? It’s only October.”
    “Snow in October is par for the course in Colorado.” She closed the linen closet. “There are more blankets in here if you need them.” With that, she turned and left him standing there alone, arms full of blankets.
    Alone in her room, she changed into her purple flannel pajamas. Not exactly sexy, but certainly warm.
    Now why in the world would you need sexy pajamas? It’s not as if he’s going to come in here and take them off you.
She rolled her eyes at her own wandering thoughts and crawled into bed.
    But, in spite of nearly drifting off during the news, now she couldn’t sleep at all. She lay