He walks to his dresser, giving me an even better view of his back. I’m admiring his broad shoulders and trim waist just as he lets his towel fall to the floor, unveiling the most perfect ass I’ve ever seen. I mean, it’s not like I’m a whore or anything, but I’ve seen my share of men’s asses and Z’s is in a class all its own. It makes me sad when he covers it with a pair of boxer briefs.
I’m so lost in my inappropriate thoughts, I’ve missed that he’s turned and is staring at me expectantly.
Shit. He asked me something. I can tell.
Double shit. The grin on his face tells me he caught me admiring his body.
I’m blushing like a fucking teenager. “Um… can you repeat that please?”
“I asked what side of the bed you like to sleep on.”
“Oh.” So, I guess we are both staying here. “I normally sleep in the middle, so I guess I don’t care.”
He moves to the bed and is pulling back the covers by the time I remember all I’ve been waiting to say. “I thought you were going to tell me more about what’s happening. When do you think I’ll be able to get my phone back? And when can I go home?”
Instead of answering me, he holds the covers up, and tells me to, “Slide in first.”
“But… shouldn’t we talk…”
“We’ll talk tomorrow.” And when I don’t start to move, he adds. “I’ve been awake going on forty hours now. I’m tired, my back is killing me, and honestly, I just need to crash.”
I feel selfish. As crappy of a night’s sleep I’d gotten the night before after getting to Z’s room, I had at least gotten a few fitful hours of sleep. Of course, he has to be exhausted.
Don’t read too much into this. Ducking under his arm, I slide into the bed, scooching past the half-way line to make room for him to slide in behind me. I purposefully roll on my side, facing away from him to avoid having to hide the range of conflicting emotions I’m sure I’m broadcasting across my face as the part of me who has been lusting after the man currently turning the lights off wars with the new information I’ve received in the last twenty-four hours telling me he is way too dangerous for me.
The room is too quiet. I can normally hear traffic horns honking from my suite on the sixth floor, and while we are seven floors higher in Z’s room, I would still expect to hear at least the din of traffic, but I don’t. Instead, all I can hear is Z’s steady breathing, slowing down and evening out as he quickly falls asleep, leaving me turning over everything that’s happened again and again.
There was a reason I paced much of the day. Lying… thinking… I can feel my panic returning.
Without giving it much thought, I slowly inch myself backwards until I can feel some of the heat from Z’s body behind me. It’s stupid, I know it is, but just knowing he’s near helps me shed some of my fear. I’m working on slowing my own breathing when I feel the bed moving as Z rolls from his back onto his side behind me. Under the covers, his arm drapes over my waist just before pulling me toward him until he is spooning me perfectly.
I’ve just about convinced myself he’d changed positions while still sleeping when he softly says, “You’re safe now, Rowan. I won’t let the Lucianos hurt you.”
His words comfort me.
Now if only I can figure out who’s gonna keep me safe from Z.
Chapter Eight
Z
If it isn’t the knocking on the door snapping me back to reality, it’s Rowan sitting straight up in a panic with her hand on my chest shaking me awake.
“Someone’s at the door,” she whispers, stating the obvious.
Trying to shake the slumber from my brain, I make my way to the door and peek out the peep hole to see Dex standing with Katja at his side.
Unlocking the door, I open and grumble, “I need a few more hours, bro.” I’m fucking exhausted, and I’m not going to even try to hide that fact.
Dex pushes his way past me with Katja following close behind. “They know,” he announces. When he’s fully in the room and the door is closed, he spins around to face me. “The Lucianos are aware that Rowan had something to do with JV’s death.”
I can hear Rowan gasp, still sitting up in the bed, but remaining paralyzed in place.
“How?” I ask, pissed at myself for being sloppy and getting us all caught.
“They spoke to two eyewitnesses that saw Rowan and JV together in the bar. They also spoke to someone who saw Rowan leave for her room and JV following closely behind. They also know Rowan isn’t in her room, she didn’t come down for lunch like she always does. She’s gone and they know it. So, they think JV could be with her, or something happened, but regardless of their uncertainties of what happened, they do believe Rowan has something to do with it.”