Page 24 of Two Favors Repaid

“So this is the living room and kitchen,” Rob said. He pointed to two doors leading off the main space. “That’s the bathroom. My bedroom.”

His bedroom had a double bed and little else in it. The duvet was navy blue and fluffy and made with military precision. For a moment she entertained the thought of lying down on the bed.

Then she shook herself.

This is his bed. He’s not offering to share his bed with you.

He looked at her and suddenly seemed a lot less confident.

“It’s small,” he said. “But it has a very good security system. I installed it myself. We’ll know the second someone sets foot on the pontoon.

He wants to know what I think about it.

“It’s beautiful,” she said. As she spoke, she felt the floor move beneath them—a small, almost imperceptible movement that filled her with panic.

You’re in the harbor. It’s like you’re not even on water. Relax.

“And that’s your bedroom,” he said, opening the last door. She saw a neat single bed on one corner, this one made with a crisp white duvet. The rest of the room was taken up by a small desk and chair. This was clearly his home office.

“Is it okay? Not as spacious as yours, I know,” he said apologetically.

“It’s perfect. I just don’t want to intrude.”

“You’re not intruding. I don’t think you understand … just how important it is for me that you be safe.”

“I understand,” she said. “It’s your job.”

He nodded but his green eyes blazed. “It’s my job, yes. I would do the same for anybody in town. But I feel it’s just fair to warn you that you’re … not just anybody to me.”

Normally Emma would have laughed his comment off. She was used to men showing an interest in her. She wasn’t conventionally beautiful, she was too petite for that, but she knew she was cute. But she’d lost interest in one-night stands by her mid-twenties. Of course, since Ford, men had lost interest in her as well. Men in town now looked at her with pity in their eyes instead of desire. She hated that.

She raised her eyes, expecting to see pity in his expression but couldn’t find it. Instead she saw lust—but it wasn’t just lust either. Rob seemed … genuinely interested in her. She’d never given him a chance because he seemed too serious, too likely to get hurt. But he was hot. He could be the answer to all her problems, the end of her dry spell. She just didn’t want to hurt him. If she could have sex with him, just not lead him on, then they would both be happy.

He took a step back.

“Ok, then. Why don’t you unpack, make yourself at home. Have you eaten yet? I could cook something.”

He seemed so uncomfortable with her there. She quickly shook her head.

“I had an early dinner. I think I’ll go unpack and have an early night, if that’s okay.”

He nodded. “Of course. Goodnight, Emma.”

#

Rob

Rob shook his head, bringing out a pot to boil some pasta.

Could you have been more of a douche? Now she thinks you’re incapable of making dinner.

Not that Rob was a great cook, but he did have over twenty years’ experience in feeding himself, so there was no reason for him to make it look like feeding both of them might be such a chore.

He ate quickly and cleaned up the small kitchen space. He liked keeping things tidy. He glanced longingly at the door to his guest cabin. Was Emma already asleep?

He called Susan’s number, careful not to speak too loudly.

“Susan? I’m sorry to call so late,” he said.