“I take it „dropping by is another euphemism.” She needed to keep it light or her heart was going to melt right into his hands. “Besides, it was that unshaven, bohemian look that helped get me into bed with you.”
She gave his cheek a friendly rub, then stretched. “God. Im starving.” “Want to order a pizza?”
“I cant wait for pizza. I need immediate fueling. Theres got to be something that passes for food in the kitchen.”
“Wouldnt count on it. Kitchens pretty torn up. Construction zone.”
“A real man would go down and hunt up provisions.”
“I hate when you do that. I always did.”
“I know.” It absolutely warmed her cockles. “Does it still work?”
“Yeah. Shit.” He got out of bed, dragged on his jeans. “Youre going to take what you get. No bitching.”
“Deal.” Satisfied, she lay back down on her side, snuggled into the pillow. “Problem?” she asked when he only stood, staring at her.
“No. Brain cells regenerating.”
Her dimples flashed. “Food.”
“Im on it.”
She felt quite smug as he walked out of the room. Maybe it was just a little small of her to gloat, even mentally, that she still knew how to push his buttons. But it brought her such a nice glow, how wrong could it be?
And it was better, wasnt it, then letting herself get all worried and churned up about what was going to happen next. This time around she would be smarter, enjoy the moment and restrain herself from expecting more.
They enjoyed each others company, even when they were poking at each other. They shared people who mattered, very much, to both of them. And they had a strong sexual connection.
It was the basis of a good, healthy relationship.
So why the hell did she have to be in love with him? If not for that one little thing, it would be perfect.
Still, when you approached it realistically, it really was her problem. Just as it had been her problem before. He wasnt obliged to love her back, and whatever she put into or took out of the situation was her own doing.
He cared about her. She closed her eyes and bit back a sigh. Jesus, that was a sting. Was there anything more painful or lowering than being in love with someone who sincerely cared about you?
Better not to think about it, to turn that part of herself off, as long as she could manage it. She didnt have any illusions this time around about them being together forever, building a home, making a family, forging a future.
His life was in New York, and hers was here. And God knew she had enough in her life to satisfy and occupy her without adding to it by spinning dreams that included Jordan Hawke.
Hed only hurt her before because shed let herself be hurt. She wasnt just older, she decided. She was smarter and stronger now.
While she was trying to convince herself, she stared at his laptop. His screen saver had come on, and was nothing but a shifting spiral of color that was already making her dizzy.
How did he stand it?
As soon as she thought it, she had the answer. It would irritate him enough to push him back to work.
Considering, she sat up. He hadnt turned the machine off when shed interrupted him. He hadnt closed the document… had he?
She bit her lip, glanced toward the doorway.
That meant whatever hed been writing was still on the screen, and if she just happened to give the mouse a little shake, it would pop right up. And if she just happened to read what hed written, what was the harm?
Keeping an ear out for footsteps, she slid out of bed, tiptoed over to the desk. She tapped the mouse gently with a fingertip to flick the screen saver off.
With one last glance toward the doorway, she scrolled back two pages in the docume