When Day Breaks (KGI #9)(20)
Author: Maya Banks

Skylar suppressed a quick smile, but she sent Eden a knowing look, and oddly enough Eden could swear she saw encouragement and camaraderie in Skylar’s eyes.

“Edge and I can bunk together,” Skylar spoke up. “Not like we aren’t used to living together. That way you and Nathan can share the other room,” she said to Joe.

Swanny looked a little poleaxed, and she supposed she couldn’t blame him since no one had exactly consulted him in the decision making.

“I’d feel more comfortable with him,” Eden said, refusing to give in to the embarrassment crowding her chest.

“Swanny?” Joe asked, looking in his teammate’s direction.

Eden refused to look at the others, not wanting to see their expressions. She stared at Swanny, pleading with her eyes for him not to refuse her. She hadn’t lied. She really did feel more comfortable with him.

“That’s fine,” Swanny finally said. “Her being alone isn’t an option.”

Eden sagged in relief.

Joe handed her a key card and then another to Swanny. “We’ll be on either side of you, Eden, and it needs to be clear that you aren’t to leave this room without one of us. For any reason. Where you go, we go. Period.”

“Got it,” she said, taking the key from him.

She pushed into her suite, Swanny following behind. Her luggage had been sent ahead and was waiting in the living room. Swanny’s eyebrows went up.

“That’s a hell of a lot of stuff for just a few days.”

She grimaced. “Part and parcel of the business. One whole suitcase is nothing but hair and skin care stuff.”

He glanced ruefully down at his large duffel bag. “Guess I pack lighter.”

Her eyes widened as something occurred to her. “Oh my God. The Aria launch. If you all are going with me, and I assume you are since Joe said I wasn’t going anywhere without you, then you’re all going to need tuxes. Or at the very least a formal suit. It’s a really big deal. Glitzy and glamorous. You’ll need to blend in.”

The deer-in-the-headlights look he gave her was hilarious.

“A tux?” he croaked.

She nodded solemnly, keeping a straight face. “I’ll have to take you shopping and get you all outfitted. It’ll be fun.”

“Fun,” he muttered as if it were the very last word he’d use to describe it.

“So, um, was I too obvious about you staying with me?” she asked hesitantly.

The corner of his mouth lifted into that half grin and his eyes gleamed with amusement. At least he didn’t look pissed.

“Let’s just say that Joe and Edge are probably jealous sons of bitches right now. Nathan is happily married, so he’s out.”

“So in other words, I was obvious,” she muttered.

“I don’t mind,” he said mildly. “I like a straight shooter. It’s nice to always know where I stand with someone.”

“And do you know where you stand with me?” she whispered, staring into those mesmerizing eyes.

He cleared his throat. “I think so.”

“So where do I stand with you, then?” she said quietly.

“Can’t say I’ve ever had a conversation like this with a woman,” he said ruefully. “You have to cut me some slack. You—this whole thing—is way out of my league.”

“But you didn’t answer the question,” she said pointedly. “Look, Swanny, if you aren’t interested in me, just tell me. I’m a big girl. I can take it. I’m not good at the coy meet-cute stuff in relationships. My father always said that I was a take-the-bull-by-the-horns kind of girl, and I guess he’s right. I’d rather know now whether my attraction is reciprocated so I don’t continue to make an ass of myself.”

He crossed the short distance between them and hauled her roughly into his arms. He took her hand and guided it to his groin so she could feel his rigid erection.

“Does that feel like I’m not attracted to you?” he asked hoarsely.

She licked her lips nervously but she left her hand where it was, lightly caressing the denim of his fly.

“Jesus, Eden, you have to stop. This is starting to get painful.”

“After we discuss where I stand with you,” she murmured.

“What exactly are you after here?” he asked bluntly. “Am I a distraction to you? Something to keep you entertained for a few days before you move on to someone else?”

Hurt crowded her chest and she withdrew, her features carefully schooled. She was used to giving the camera whatever emotion or expression the photographer demanded. The last thing she wanted was for him to see that he’d hurt her with his frustrated statement. What must he think of her to have said that? But then she hadn’t given him any reason to believe she wasn’t exactly what he thought. Some bored spoiled woman looking for a good time and nothing else.

“Jesus, Eden. I’m sorry,” Swanny said, regret swamping his face. “I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

So much for schooling her features.

“It’s okay,” she said lightly, proud of the way her voice didn’t quiver betrayingly. “I understand perfectly and I get it. You don’t have to beat me over the head with it. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to get unpacked. There’s a lot to do between now and tomorrow morning. Perhaps we’ll order in room service a little later.”

Before he could respond, she turned and grabbed one of her suitcases and hauled it toward one of the bedrooms.

He cursed colorfully and called her name, but she ignored it and shut the door behind her. She’d venture out to get the rest of her luggage later. Right now she wanted a long soaking bath and to lick her wounds.

Swanny watched her go, helplessness seizing him. He’d royally f**ked that up completely. But it baffled him that Eden was attracted to him. That she thought him beautiful, for f**k’s sake.

He ran an agitated hand through his hair and stared at the suitcases still lined up in the middle of the living room. He should bring them into her room for her, but she’d likely locked the door behind her.

The hurt he’d seen in her eyes, just for a fleeting moment before her face had become expressionless, made him feel like he’d kicked a puppy. Most men would dream of having a woman like Eden throwing herself at him. But women didn’t throw themselves at him, and he couldn’t fathom the idea that Eden wanted him. She had to have an ulterior motive, but what?

She seemed genuine and sincere. She hadn’t teased or flirted with any of the other guys. For whatever reason, she’d zeroed in on him and he’d solidly stuck his foot in his mouth and likely f**ked up any chance he had with her.