She darted into the bathroom and stripped quickly, heart pounding. She rifled through her bag, half-panicked over what to wear. She didn’t want to waltz out in lingerie and send the wrong message. Not that she owned any. Times had been tough these last couple of years and she was lucky she had granny panties without any holes in them right now. Besides, what message was the right one, anyway? She’d only asked him to stay and sleep, right? Or sit? Maybe he’d just sit across the room and stare at her.
Why the heck was this so nerve-wracking anyway? She wasn’t innocent by any means. She’d had boyfriends in the past. Nothing serious as most guys didn’t take well to a woman private investigator. Not just the danger but the tendency to want to be in charge was a major turnoff for most men she’d met. Jake definitely didn’t seem intimidated by her, though. If anything, she was acting like the demure damsel in distress. And while normally that might have irritated her, in this case, she couldn’t help but want to feel Jake’s hands on her, protecting, comforting, and taking care of her in every way possible.
In the end, she threw on a pair of pajama shorts and a tee. A compromise, she told herself, and walked out before she could change her mind.
Jake was seated on the edge of the bed unlacing his boots. The covers were already drawn back underneath him and he waved her over. “Come here,” he said.
She plopped down next to him, pretending she wasn’t on the verge of hyperventilating. He’d taken his shirt off and she couldn’t tear her gaze away from the rippled planes of his chest and abs. She tried to remember if she’d ever seen an eight-pack before? Nope. This was a first.
“You lay down. I’ll get the light,” he said and she scrambled up to the pillow just as he clicked the lamp off.
She exhaled as the room was thrown into darkness, glad for the cover it provided her. At least now he couldn’t see if she drooled.
Jake stood over her, a sexy silhouette against the window, and bent low. She heard the shuffle of fabric and a second later, he slid in beside her, his bare legs brushing lightly against hers. Dear Jesus, he’d taken his pants off.
No way would she sleep now.
He scooted in close, his arm and torso inches from hers, but he didn’t reach for her. Delilah pressed her lips together, disappointed. She’d thought… well, clearly, he hadn’t mistaken this for the invitation she’d thought.
“Thank you for staying,” she said.
Jake rolled toward her and her eyes adjusted to the grainy light enough that she could just make out his eyes on her face. “I’m sorry you had to be there to see that tonight,” he said. “I wouldn’t blame you if you wanted to quit.”
“I can’t do that. Xavier’s counting on me and I won’t let you guys down.”
“I spoke to Xavier on the phone earlier while you were giving your statement. He understands if you want out.”
“I’m not leaving, Jake. I don’t scare that easily.”
“Well, I do. You were almost hurt tonight.”
“So were you,” she shot back.
“I heal. You don’t.”