Page 23 of Hollywood

“I’ve had a lot of practice,” Tex said.

I glanced at the clock and winced. It was after ten. “I’ve still got to move the laundry to the dryer, then wait on that cycle. It might be late by the time I finish. Do you mind staying a while longer?”

“It’s fine. Maybe I’ll just crash here if it’s cool with you. I can stretch out on the couch. Ruby might be restless, so this way, she won’t wake up and get into trouble without you knowing.”

My heart dropped. “Shit, I didn’t even consider that.”

“Lots of practice,” he reminded me.

“I can take the couch, though,” I said. “You can sleep in my bed.”

“Nah. You’re going to need your rest if you’re going to keep up with the munchkin.”

“If you’re sure…”

“Very sure.” He nudged me. “Go finish the laundry, Holls. I’m going to grab a shower and steal a pair of your underwear to sleep in.”

I turned toward the door to hide my face. Jesus. I had a toddler in my living room. The last thing I needed was to picture Tex naked and wet in my showerorpulling on a pair of my underwear over that sexy, muscular ass I couldn’t have.

“Extra towels are under the sink,” I choked out. “Be back in a few.”

I hurried for the door. I wasn’t sure I could hide my reaction if I actually witnessed the scenes playing out in my imagination.

“Sure,” Tex said easily. “Take your time.”

CHAPTER 6

Tex

A sudden weightdropped onto my gut, making me jackknife up with a groan. Ruby, the little hellion, started giggling. I peeled open my eyes with difficulty. It had been a long-ass night.

A faint sizzling came from the kitchen, along with the aromas of coffee and sausage. My mouth started watering, and my stomach rumbled.

With everything that had happened last night, I’d skipped right over dinner.

“Ruby!” Hollywood called. “We’re letting Tex sleep, remember?”

“Wake!” she exclaimed.

“No,sleep,” he repeated.

“Wake!”

I hoisted her up. “I’m awake now, and I’m hungry!”

I pretended to munch into her tummy, and she squealed and wiggled. By all appearances, she was a happy little girl, but she’d slept poorly, tossing and turning and calling out forher mama. I’d gotten up with her twice before Hollywood stumbled out of his bedroom, dressed only in a pair of gray sweatpants, hair sticking up in three directions, to take a turn.

He’d ended up swaying with her while crooning “Love Me Tender” by Elvis in a velvety voice that slipped under my skin like the sweetest caress. It was too bad I’d been too damn groggy to fully appreciate it. And wasn’t that a strange thought? Not that I appreciated it, but that I was admitting it to myself, even if it still plucked a cord in me that seemed slightly out of tune with the rest of my life.

“Sorry,” Hollywood said. “I was hoping to let you sleep in. Maybe I shouldn’t have made breakfast. I couldn’t really wrangle Ruby at the same time.”

“No, no.” I continued to hold Ruby over my head in airplane style, her arms and legs kicking. I noticed her bandage was gone, a small scab the only sign of her injury in the car accident, thank god. “You definitely should have made breakfast for me.”

“Oh, did I say it was for you?” Hollywood blinked, trying to look innocent.

“It better be for me,” I growled up at Ruby, making her giggle again. “I earned it.”

Hollywood chuckled as he poured coffee into a Thurston University mug. “Yeah, you did. I don’t think Ruby is ready for coffee yet, anyway. So this is definitely for you.” He paused. “You want milk or sugar?”