“Not something she would normally have done, but she’s at the end of her tether. So no, I’m not worried I’m going to get fired. Just don’t suck in bed.”
With that, she opened the door as they pulled up to the hotel. Patting Kendall on the leg, she said, “Come on, up and at ’em!”
“Huh?” Kendall’s eyes opened and she shot up. “Oh, my God, where am I?”
“In the cab. We just got to the hotel,” Evan told her. “Time for you to go in and take a real nap.”
She rubbed her eyes in a way that was so freaking adorable Evan wanted to kiss her. Repeatedly. But Frankie reached out and took Kendall’s hand.
“Come on,” she said. “Bed is calling.”
“I feel like ass” was Kendall’s response as she shuffled out of the cab. She turned back to Evan. “See you later?”
Evan smiled, slow and easily. “Oh, yeah. Definitely.”
And he couldn’t wait.
KENDALL felt warm and relaxed as she dozed in and out sleep. She had no idea what time it was, nor was she really even aware of where she was. It just felt fabulous to float in semiconsciousness.
Part of her registered that something was off, but she ignored that niggling thought and snuggled deeper under the covers. When lips brushed over her shoulder, it seemed somehow normal, as if she were dreaming.
Rolling over, she started to move into the curve of the body next to hers.
Then her eyes flew open.
Wait a minute.
No one should be in bed with her.
Yet Evan was curled up next to her, looking like he belonged there. “I’m sorry, did the TV wake you up? I can turn it off.”
Kendall frowned, glancing around the room. It was dark outside, or at least the drapes were snuggly shut. She wasn’t sure which. The glow of the TV bounced light around the dim room. She didn’t even remember getting into bed. Patting herself under the covers, she was reassured that she was wearing a T-shirt and panties at least. Then again, she didn’t remember changing.
“Did I overdose on Red Bull?” she asked him, aware of a sticky sweet taste lingering in her mouth.
“I don’t think that’s possible. But you did crash. Hard. You fell asleep in the cab.”
She vaguely remembered waking up briefly in the elevator, but honestly, that was it. Scary. “Maybe I haven’t been getting enough sleep.”
“You think?” He rolled his eyes at her.
Evan wasn’t under the covers with her. He was sitting on them in his jeans and T-shirt, barefoot, propped against the headboard.
“Why are you in my room?” If she was dressed, mostly, and he was dressed, entirely, then she doubted somehow they had had sex while she was half-asleep. Besides, she was damn certain that no matter how tired she was, she would remember if that man’s penis had penetrated her.
The thought of which made her grow a little warm under the heavy blanket.
“You were so out of it, it actually worried me a little. I’m just checking on you.”
“How did you get in here?” Kendall felt like she was missing a whole vat of information. Like why Evan had appointed himself her keeper.
“Frankie gave me a key.”
Kendall stopped mid-yawn, outraged at her staff member. “She can’t do that!”
“Don’t blame her. I bullied her into doing it. And don’t worry. No one saw me come in here, so there won’t be any gossip.”
That hadn’t even occurred to her. Now that he’d brought it up, though, she suddenly felt worried. Along with irritated over Frankie betraying her. Frustrated with her inability to process sugar without blacking out. And stressed over the fact that she was clearly running on empty these days.
Not to mention the little question of what the hell she was doing with Evan Monroe. She had flirted with him at the commercial shoot.
“Hey. Stop worrying. Everything is cool.”
“How do you know I’m worrying?”
“Your pretty little face is squinching up.”
“Squinching?”
“Yeah. Like this.” Evan made a face, his mouth and nose lifting, eyebrows drifting together. It wasn’t a good look.
Kendall laughed. “Shut up. I don’t look like that.”
“Yes, you do.”
“What time is it?”
“It’s eight.”
“P.M.?” Kendall looked to her wrist, like a watch was suddenly going to materialize there. “Are you serious? Oh, my God, I slept for . . .”
“Over eight hours.”
“Wow.” Kendall stretched a little, feeling very lazy and content under the covers. “Of course now I probably won’t be able to sleep the rest of the night.”
Then she realized immediately the opening she had just given him. She put her hand out in front of his already opening mouth. “Don’t even say it. I’m not sleeping with you. In fact, you should probably go. I’m clearly fine.”
Evan eyeballed her. “You are most definitely fine.”
“Be quiet.” It was a knee-jerk reaction, but the truth was, she appreciated the naked desire on his face.
“Do you really want me to leave for real?” Evan sat up on the bed, his expression very sincere. “I will if you do.”
Kendall hedged. There was something nice about having his body heat and goofy grin next to her. Not only was she burning the candle at both ends, she was spending the vast majority of her time with paid employees. Other than an occasional chat with Tuesday, she was work, work, work. Except for the night she’d spent with Evan, she hadn’t been having a whole lot of fun.
“You don’t have to.”
“That’s just a begrudging concession to politeness.” Swinging his legs around, Evan stood up.
Kendall thought about trying to fall back asleep alone. Thought about watching TV alone. Thought about showering alone.
And she blurted out, “Stay. Please. For the night.”
Evan stopped cold. He turned around, and when she thought he would have teased her, he simply said, “Okay.”
As he settled back onto the bed, she asked, “Don’t you need your bags?”
“Nah.” Evan actually pulled the covers back and slipped under them. “I can sleep in my boxers. I can strip my jeans off in a bit.”
Or he could strip naked. Kendall was very aware of the fact that she wasn’t wearing any pants as Evan settled into bed next to her, and she found herself craving a cuddle.
God, she was seriously stressed out if she needed arms around her to stave off the loneliness.