Mother said that one day I would get in trouble because of my thoughtless impulsiveness. She didn’t say that I would be accused of stealing and threatened with jail time. Yet here I was, standing in my childhood home, 50 feet away from my sleeping parents, getting whisper-yelled at about the consequences of taking things that weren’t mine by a man not much older than me who I didn’t know. It wasn’t until he brought up calling the authorities that I felt the need to interrupt.
“Who are you?” I blurted. Maybe not the best first opening line but I couldn’t take it back now. I had already said it.
And judging by how he pulled himself ramrod straight to his full height I knew he just had to be someone important. Now that I think about it, he was probably one of dad’s investors who had been offered the guest room for the night in an attempt to get more time with him. Business over breakfast.
The man crossed his arms and stood a little bit more belligerently. “Was I not an anticipated addition to your theft spree?”
As much as I wanted to shrug off his accusations and go get some sleep, I knew I wouldn’t make it far before he stopped me. Yet words kept coming out. “Can we talk about this in the morning? I’m tired.”
He pulled back, incredulous. “You think I will let you leave and just hope you come back here to answer to the authorities? How gullible do you think I am?”
“Listen, it was a long drive to get here and I am tired. I want to get some sleep before I have to talk to you again.”
I didn’t realize I had actually put motion to my thoughts until a warm, almost hot, hand latched onto my arm and pulled me back. I slapped at his hand but he didn’t let go. In my tiredness I even attempted to pull him towards the stairs, as if that would convince him to let go.
He gave a short growly grunt. “I don’t care how long of a drive it was for you to get here. You aren’t going anywhere now. Maybe you thought your looks would buy you entrance for whatever it is you had planned as a backup plan for when you got caught but I am not falling for it.”
“My looks.” I grinned. I think my lack of sleep was beginning to affect my brain cells. “What do my looks have to do with wanting to sleep?”
His eyes narrowed. “I am not going to sleep with you.”
“Good.” I glared. “I wasn’t planning on sleeping with you. I am not a thief. And I am going to bed. IN MY ROOM.”
Instantly his face lightened and an odd strained smile took the place of his scowling. “Are you lost? Maybe I can assist you in finding the correct house.”
I groaned.
He immediately pulled me into a hug and stroked my hair as if he were trying to sooth me. In a soft low voice he murmured into my ear. “Don’t worry. We’ll sort this out and then you can be home and you can pretend this was all just a scary dream.”
“I’m not lost or mental.” I ground out as I pushed him away from me. “Mother! Are you home?”
Immediately, the man who refused to give me his name clamped his hand over my mouth. I struggled, trying to free myself. His hold finally loosened when I managed to stomp on his foot.
“Are you insane?” I yelled. “Who are you? Are you the thief? Don’t want to get caught?” I moved towards the stairs. “Mother!”
I finally heard soft footsteps on the landing above me. “Eva?”
With a sigh, I stepped further out of the shadows and smiled up at her. “Surprise, Mom. I came home for the weekend.”
“Why are you yelling for me?” Her voice weary with sleep and apparently she was too groggy to notice the man standing behind me.
I laughed and shook my head. “Sorry, Momma. Go back to sleep. I’ll see you in the morning.”
She nodded but before she turned back to her room she leaned over to whisper. “We have a guest in the guest room so be sure to be quiet.”
I glared at the man who was now eyeing me with wary concern. “Of course. I wouldn’t want to be rude to our guest.”
Seconds later I heard the door to my parent’s room close. I turned to fully face the stranger and strode over to him with my hand held out.
“I’m sorry, sir. I don’t believe we’ve been formally introduced. I am Eva Romy Black.” I didn’t try to hide my smug smile. However, I did give him my prissiest fake curtsey.
Eventually he gave me a formal bow before taking my hand in his. “Zane Deveaux, the guest. Please allow me to escort you to your room.”
I whispered up into his ear. “Wouldn’t want me making off with the family china while you aren’t looking.”
“I don’t suppose a mere apology would be acceptable at this point.”
“You accused me of being a thief.”
He nodded.
“And threatened to call the police.”
Again, he nodded.
“You assumed I would sleep with you in order to get a warm bed and escape all my troubles.”
His face flamed.
“You thought I was a lost lunatic.”
His hands went up. “I have no defense for my actions.”
“By the way, if I had been a real thief I probably wouldn’t have stood around arguing with you.” My hands tried to go to my hips but he hooked my arm in his, nudging me back toward the stairs.
“Valid point.” As we climbed the stairs he shot a stunning smile my way. “What brought you home this weekend?”
“My parents have been bugging me the past few weeks to come home for a visit. Apparently I don’t come home often enough.”
“Well, despite my gargantuan misunderstanding, it has been a pleasure to meet you. Your parents truly do love to tell stories about you over dinner.”
“Dinner? Who are you?”
He simply smiled as he gestured to my closed door. “Pleasant dreams, Eva.”
I muttered under my breath. “Breakfast is going to be interesting.” I hadn’t meant for him to overhear but he chuckled.
“Indeed it will.”
