Page 26 of Nothing to Tell

“Yes.”He laughed.“Wow, you really are good at this.”

Interrogation?

She sat up because looking at him might give her a better clue of his tolerance.Might.

“Sorry, I just…”

“No, it’s okay,” he said, his fingertips drifting up the arm she planted to keep her upright.“Ask whatever you want, I have nothing to hide.”

“Families always confuse the hell out of me.We’re born into this bloodline that—most people don’t even like their families.”

“Well, I’d say I like mine, most of the time, despite what my mother did tonight.She can be determined.”

“With a smile though,” she said.“That makes a difference.”

“I guess it does.”

“Acting with love is well intended.”

“Where my mom’s concerned, it’s more to do with her than me.”

“Meaning?”

“She looked after me and Keely, raised us full-time while my dad worked.Our futures are something she’s been dreaming about a long time.”

“And she’s ready to see them?”

“To know how they’re going to play out?Yeah.”

“Because she wants to know you’ll be okay.”He shrugged, still caressing her arm.“That’s very caring.I can see why you like them.”

From the affection in his tone, it was obvious his family was important.

This was too far away.She relaxed her arm to return her head to his body.

Since the moment they met at the engagement party, his altruism was palpable.In the various moments she’d thought of him since then—which numbered higher than should be admitted out loud—she never thought she’d have the chance to quiz him on his motivation.

Now they were lying there together, being honest, she got her chance.

“Why did you do it?”she murmured, loose, salved, and sated.“Why did you come to Adara’s party to rescue me?”

Beneath her cheek, he took a deep breath.“I don’t know.It was a… drive.An impulse I couldn’t ignore.I’ve been single most of my adult life.Like you, I prioritize business.Fielding questions about why you’re not coupled up, deflecting attempts at matchmaking, I’ve been there.You deserved a night off from that crap.”

How many times had he wished someone would swoop in and save him?

“That’s very sweet.”Her caress slid lower, just grazing his belt.His explanation made sense for their first encounter, didn’t for the second.“Why did you come to the hospital tonight?”

He stroked her back.“I’ve been thinking about you.I’d be lying if I said otherwise.”

So she wasn’t the only one.“I didn’t think I’d ever see you again.”Believing his selfless act was a one off.“I’m happy I did.”

He’d asked nothing in return for supporting her.Amazing in this day and age.Bastian wasn’t like other men.

The bed was warm and the embrace comforting.Shirking the last shred of tension, her body sank into his.Long time since she’d fallen asleep with a man.Bastian may not have signed up for this, but when her hand stalled on his abdomen, she went with it.

Bastian exhaled.“So am I.”

“Will we see each other again?”she murmured on the cusp of slumber.