He was too kind-hearted to recognize the truth. He wanted to believe she wasn’t a wimp, so he made up reasons to support it. And now he was talking crazy, as if he wanted to be with her long term.
I’m not going to let him ruin his life by hooking up with me.
“Swimming out to rescue Dax doesn’t mean I’m brave. All those years of lifeguard training helped me react on reflex. If I was really brave, I wouldn’t be terrified just to lie down and go to sleep.”
“You’re afraid to sleep?” His dark brows drew down over fierce eyes.
Why had she let that slip out? He was already acting as if her comfort was his responsibility, and she’d only made it worse.
“I was only kidding,” she hurried to say. “I used to get these nightmares, but that was a long time ago.”
; Without a word, he rose to his feet and disappeared down the hallway, returning several minutes later with a pillow and a light-weight blanket.
“What are you doing?” she asked. “You don’t need to sleep here.”
“I’m not sleeping.” He sat on the far end of the couch with the pillow in his lap and gave it two quick pats. “You are.”
“I can’t let you do that.” Her guilt battled with the inviting idea of having him there to ward off her nightmares.
“I’ve already made up my mind to sit here all night. So you can either sleep out here or in your bedroom.” He picked up the remote from the end table and clicked the television on. “I plan to watch Earth 5050 all night long, starting with the first season.”
She chewed on her lower lip, debating what to do. “I need to brush my teeth.”
With a victorious smile, he stood up and offered her a hand. “I’ll borrow one from the guest supply.”
This time, the smile she gave him was genuine, if a little shy.
“One thing, though…” He followed her down the hallway. “After we brush our teeth, I’d like a goodnight kiss.”
“I suppose I could sacrifice myself, just this once, since you’re doing me a favor.” She paused and stretched, pretending to give a bored yawn. “As long as it doesn’t last too long.”
“Well, well, well!” His brows arched high on his forehead. “I do believe you are teasing me. What has become of Katie Carson, the timid, serious girl I met a few weeks back?”
“Oh, her?” Katie flipped her hand in a dismissive wave. “I’m pretty sure she got eaten by sharks.”
“I kind of liked her.” Gary rubbed his beard, thoughtfully. “Do you think we’ll ever see her again?”
“You might,” Katie said, “but I can guarantee, she’ll never be the same.”
His response was so soft she barely heard him.
“Me, neither.”
17
Three times after she first fell asleep, Katie cried out, jerking in agitated fear. He could only imagine what horrors she was experiencing in her dreams. But a few soft words as he stroked her hair, and she settled back to sleep, hopefully nightmare-free. He wasn’t sure what time he’d fallen asleep, but season one of Earth 5050 had evidently played to the end and the television screen was patiently waiting for him to decide what he wanted to watch next.
At some point, he’d stretched out, with one leg on the couch, the other hanging off, and now Katie’s head rested on his shoulder, cradled in the crook of his arm, her thick lashes resting on her cheek. He didn’t care that his arm had lost its circulation. His only thought was helping her gentle soul get a much-deserved rest.
With her plump lips parted in sleep, he was reminded of the passion behind her mild façade, because last night’s promised kiss had taken him to the edge of his control. He stroked his fingers through her soft waves, wishing he could once again tangle them in her hair and savor the taste of her lips. At her peaceful sigh, he shifted her weight to his chest and tightened his embrace, wishing he could prolong the serenity of the moment forever.
I could get used to this.
Her heavy eyelids blinked open, and she stretched, speaking in a half-groan. “Get used to what?”
Had he spoken out loud?