Take - Page 64

That sent him over the edge. Reath let out a muted roar and rammed into me one last time. He arched into me as he came.

Slowly, the world came back into focus. I could hear his heavy breathing over my own soft pants.

I turned my head and smiled against his arm. “Good morning.”

“It definitely is.” He pulled out, then lazily glided back inside. I bit my lip. “I think we need another shower.”

27

REATH

Ifinished dressing, buttoning my blue shirt. Frankie was singing again in the bathroom. She was nowhere near in tune.

Smiling, I wandered to the doorway, and my gut clenched. She was wearing a black lace bra and panties, and doing her makeup.

I didn’t hate that she was there, in my space. Actually, I liked it.

Shit.

I cleared my throat. “I’ll make us some breakfast.”

She met my gaze in the mirror and grinned. “I like eggs.”

I couldn’t get any words out. My hands balled into fists, and I nodded, then strode to the stairs and headed to the kitchen.

At the island, I pressed my hands to the counter, the stone cool under my palms.

Frankie was Jack’s sister. Fuck. I was in too deep.

I should never have touched her. Never proposed a no-strings deal. Never should have fucked her.

I dragged in a deep breath. Focus on Auclair and stopping the fucker. The sooner I did that, the sooner Frankie was safe and would go back to her lab.

Then I’d feel normal again. Level and in control.

I got to work, and soon I had scrambled eggs cooking, and toast on. When Frankie appeared, she was wearing jeans and a red, long-sleeved T-shirt. It hugged her breasts.

Breasts I knew very well.

“Mmm. That smells good. You’re an excellent host, Reath. Hot sex, good sleep, and a morning orgasm, followed by scrambled eggs.”

I stilled. “It’s just sex, Frankie.”

Her smile disappeared, and her mouth flattened. “I know.”

“Don’t get the wrong idea. If you start getting confused and feeling more—” I shook my head. “I’m not interested. I’m not interested in love, and I don’t have a heart to give anyone.”

I’d had no love, no softness in my life. Ever. And I didn’t need any of it now.

I’d read about kids in European orphanages. Ones that had experienced no love or affection as babies, and they’d grown up with a whole host of issues. I wasn’t surprised I didn’t have the capacity to love a woman.

Frankie stared at me for a beat, then she circled the island. As she got closer, I tried not to stiffen.

She reached up and fiddled with the buttons on my shirt. “I know, Reath. I agreed to the rules. It’s what I want, too.” She tipped her face up. “But you do have a heart.” She pressed a palm over it. “I see how you love your family. How you care about Jack. Don’t shortchange yourself.” Then she smiled. “About those eggs…?”

Once she’d stepped away, I could breathe again. I served up breakfast. “We’ll eat on the deck.” The fresh air would be good.

I opened the sliding doors and carried the plates to my outdoor table.