Page 40 of Entangled
I follow her upstairs in silence, pausing at the edge of her bed while she disappears into the bathroom. While she freshens up, I study the artwork hanging on her purple walls. I knew she liked cats, but I guess I didn’t realize just how much. There’s a framed painting of Knife Feet dressed in a three-piece suit, complete with a fucking top hat. It’s utterly ridiculous that she commissioned a portrait of her asshole cat wearing clothes, yet somehow, it’s a little cute. The quirky oddity is so very Rowan.
I look up when she reenters the room—dressed in a T-shirt and panties instead of the flannel nightgown she had on. “You good?”
“Yes.” She flops onto her bed. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
Shrugging, I point to the mattress. “Are you sure—”
“Shut up and get in.” She slides between the sheets and moves over to make room for me. I settle beside her, and she pulls the covers up to our chins, releasing a blissful sigh. “This is nice. I’ve never slept with anyone before. Like,actualsleep, not sex.”
“I know what you meant.”
She rolls onto her side and drapes her arm and leg over me. I slide my arm around her and pull her closer. She fits perfectly by my side. I never want to leave her.
“No one has ever held me in my sleep,” she murmurs, snuggling into me.
“No one has ever punched you in your sleep either, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.” I say it as a joke, but the very real possibility of hurting her turns my stomach.
“I’m not afraid of you.” She slips her hand beneath my shirt’s hemline and strokes my abdomen and chest like she’s petting a lion. “Actually, you know what I think?”
“Hmm?” Even though it isn’t sexual right now, her touch steals my ability to form words. Especially when she lightly traces her fingertips over my scar.
“I think your biggest fear is yourself.”
“Because I know the shit inside my head.”
“True.” She flattens her palm on my chest, directly over my heart. “But I think I’m starting to figure out what’s happening in here.”
* * *
Something chimes in the distance.It doesn’t sound like the other birds chirping in the nearby trees as I paddle the boat across the lake. Leaves rustle in the gentle breeze, and I’m warm. Comfortable. Relaxed. The chime cuts through the tranquil silence again.
“Stupid phone,” a woman says.
I look from side to side, but there’s no one there. I must be dreaming. Except, there’s no pain. There’s no fire. No guns and knives. No fear. Only peace.
The chime happens a third time, making my eyelids flutter. I blink myself awake as a feminine arm reaches across me to snatch the ringing phone from the nightstand. Rowan. I’m not in a boat on a lake, I’m tangled in her satin sheets.
“Hello?” Her groggy voice reaches my ears. “Yes, he’s right here. May I tell him who’s calling?” It’s silent for a moment. Then she shrieks.
I bolt upright and clutch my chest. “You just scared the shit out of me, woman.”
“Holy fuckballs! Are you kidding me?” she screeches into the phone before grabbing my face. “Henry, you didn’t tell me you’re friends withtheAustin Pines! Oh my God, this is crazy!”
I usually forget he’s famous. To me, he’s just a regular dude. Her reaction tells me I vastly underestimated his appeal. She’s clearly a “Piner.” That’s the cutesy term his superfans call themselves. She has probably been in his fan club since day one.
“Uh, yeah. He’s a good guy.” I clear my throat. “Can I have the phone please?”
“Can I please, please,pleasemeet him when he comes to jump your truck?” she whisper-shouts, handing over the phone with stars in her eyes.
“I’ll, uh, see what I can do.” She claps and bounces in place as I turn my attention to Austin. “Hey, man.”
His low chuckle rumbles through the phone. “Mornin’, sleepyhead.”
“Huh?” I glance at the clock on Rowan’s nightstand. It’s after eight. I’m usually in the warehouse by seven-thirty. “Holy fuck.”
I’m going to be late. Joe will be fuming, but with all the shit he’s been piling on my shoulders, I’m not overly concerned with him. My late arrival, however, means I’ll likely be out delivering until ten o’clock. It’s my own fault for not specifying a time with Austin beforehand.
“Sleep well?”
