“It was pretty good.” He grinned at me as he left the bed only long enough to wash his hands and sponge off his stomach. Returning, he stretched out next to me. “Bet I can do better though.”
“That might end me.” I laughed along with him. “But I’m happy to provide the training ground for your favorite sport, deadly risks and all.”
The biggest risk was to my heart, but I couldn’t tell him that. This was a fun, secret fling between friends, and he wanted the adrenaline rush of the X-rated games, not my sappy feels. Trying to slow my breathing, I grabbed my phone from where I’d set it on the nightstand.
“What are you doing?” he asked, sounding a little put out. “Tell me you’re not checking the news.”
“No way.” I soothed him by skimming a hand down his side. “I’m setting an alarm.”
“You’re staying?” His voice shifted to pleased, with a sweet edge that made me want to stay next to him forever.
“For a little while.” I hated that I’d have to go, but I didn’t really have much choice. “Not all night, but I’m not ready to leave yet.”
“Good.” He pulled me closer, and I happily went, wrapping myself around him, hands idly stroking his torso.
“Thought you don’t cuddle?” He nestled in against me, head resting on my chest, our legs tangling.
“I don’t,” I deadpanned.
He snorted. “This feels suspiciously like a snuggle, Duncan.”
“Shut up and enjoy it.” I lightly tickled his ribs.
“Oh, I am.”
And so was I, and that was a huge problem. Ezra was too damn easy to like, and caring for him felt like reaching my mid-run pace, natural and easy, body working on automatic. But letting my emotions follow an intuition I wasn’t sure I could trust seemed destined to lead to inevitable pain.
But then he bent his head, brushing a kiss across my knuckles, and none of my worries mattered. I was already a goner.
Chapter Nineteen
Ezra
“We have a Duncan problem.” Not bothering to knock, Kate interrupted the set of jumping jacks I’d been attempting. We were at an iconic Detroit theater, where even the dressing rooms seemed to have an old-school soul. Mine had fifty-plus years of record covers on the walls, which made up for subpar lighting and cramped quarters. And the dimensions seemed that much smaller as Kate’s announcement made my pulse gallop.
Duncan and I had been so good. Chicago to Milwaukee to Madison to Indianapolis to Detroit. Days of behaving ourselves, not letting on how our nights were spent tangled up in each other, burning up the sheets every time we got a locked hotel room to ourselves. Breathing deep, I schooled my expression to stay neutral.
“Oh?” I tried my absolute hardest not to sound startled. “How so?”
“The Cincinnati stop. It’s coming right up. We built-in two days of downtime for you to see your folks and everyone else to catch their breath after this solid block of touring. But I’m not sure whether to arrange Duncan a room with those staying in the city or send him with you as security.”
“Ah.” I made a thoughtful noise to delay sounding too eager for my preferred arrangement. Another option would be to let Duncan go with those headed to Chicago or Nashville for a more fun break than what Ohio offered, and I didn’t need Kate landing on that option. “Did he say which he wants?”
“I haven’t asked him yet, and I know this is the sort of logistics talk you hate. But the thing is, I waited too late to grab him a room. There’s a huge author convention in town for the weekend, and the hotel where I got the room block for our group is all booked now. I don’t want him to feel left out and stick him across town or something...”
“Don’t worry about it.” Coming up behind her, I rubbed her shoulders, trying to sound like I was about to do her a solid. “He’ll come with me. Mom will feed him, and my dad will inevitably drag us golfing. Duncan can feel useful by protecting me from lawn squirrels and the odd autograph request.
“Perfect. You don’t mind?” Tilting her head back, she smiled up at me.
“Nah. There’s plenty of room at their place. Mom will find a spot for him, no problem.” I managed to sound downright disinterested in sleeping arrangements when I fully planned to sneak into whatever room Duncan ended up in.
“True. You certainly bought them a big enough house for guests.”
“And where will you be?” I asked, continuing my shoulder rub. “Mom would love to feed you too.”
“I…uh…maybe have a date. They’re coming to Cincinnati.”
“Tell me everything.” I bounced on my feet, thrilled as much by this new bit of gossip as by the prospect of a couple of days alone with Duncan.