Page 68 of Close to Heaven

“I was going to drive you home—after breakfast.”

“I can eat at home. Besides, I need to shower, change, and go to my dad’s.”

In all the chaos, he’d almost forgotten about the holiday. “Happy Thanksgiving, by the way.”

“Happy Thanksgiving.”

Placing a hand on her shoulder, he tipped her chin up with the other hand. “What’s going on, Avery?”

She licked her lips nervously. “Nothing.”

“Did you sleep okay after I left?”

“Yes. No.”

He chuckled and brushed her plump lips with his thumb. She sucked in a breath and gazed at him with tired eyes.

“Sorry you didn’t sleep well. You should have knocked on the wall.”

“What for?”

“I would have come back in and kept you company.”

She eyed him skeptically. “I thought you didn’t like to cuddle.”

“For you, I would have made an exception.”

The corners of her lips twitched as she fought back a smile. He wasn’t sure what was going on, but he was determined to find out. “Stay for breakfast, and then I’ll drive you home. Please.”

She sighed, but he could tell she was considering it. Finally, she said, “What do you have to eat?”

“Do you like pancakes?”

“Love them.”

“Bacon?”

“I never turn down bacon.”

“Perfect, because I can make both.”

“And coffee?”

“Is that even a question?”

She laughed. “You’re right. I’ve seen how much coffee you consume every day at the office.”

“It’s settled, then.” He placed his fingers on the zipper of her parka and slowly pulled it down. Then he pushed the coat off her shoulders and let it fall onto the couch. It felt decadent, almost like he was stripping her naked. As his gaze roamed over her, he noted that she was wearing her hiking clothes from yesterday instead of his sister’s sweats.

She’d also removed her ponytail, and her hair hung in soft waves around her shoulders. He was itching to touch it, and since she hadn’t moved away, he reached out and fingered the silky strands.

“I had a good time last night,” he said, his voice sounding unnaturally raspy.

“Me too.”

“I want to be with you again.”

She gazed up at him and searched his eyes, but he wasn’t sure what she was looking for.

“I thought you said we shouldn’t.”

He tucked her hair behind her ears. “That doesn’t stop me from wanting you.”

“What about your siblings and employees?”

It felt like they’d switched places, and he wondered what had happened between last night and this morning to cause her concern. “Let me worry about that.”

She shook her head. “If we do this, we’re in it together or not at all.”

He slowly nodded. “We should keep this to ourselves for now.”

“Of course.”

Something about the way she’d said it and the fierce determination in her eyes made this feel almost like a business deal. What had happened to the vulnerable woman who had needed him last night?

She reached up and rubbed the furrow between his brows. “Don’t worry, Jax. This will be fun. Now, how about those pancakes?”