Restoration & Forgiveness (Renovate Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page B

innocent gestures like tucking my hair behind my ear. Anything intimate is out of the question."
    He brushes my cheek and I back away, shocked by his touch. It's like he's just scorched my skin.
    "Like that?" He asks, still playing his game.
    "Yes, and the next time you touch me without my permission I am going to break your hand. This isn't a joke, Keegan. I don't want you to touch me at all, but I'm worried about what will happen to my dad if he's upset. Second, when we are at the house, you will sleep in the spare bedroom. Don't get any ideas that us being alone will give you the opportunity to sneak into my room. I'm going to have the door locked when I'm sleeping, anyways."
    He eyes me curiously and says, "Aimee, if I wanted to sneak into your bedroom there are other ways, you know that more than anyone. But don't worry, I won't unless I'm invited."
    He's referring to when he used to climb through my window to sleep in my bed with me every year on the anniversary of my mom passing away. He did that for years, even after my dad caught us. The first year he was away at college was the first time he didn't.
    "Third, when we are around my dad, please don't go over the top. I don't want him to find out we are acting. Also, no kissing on the lips. That's too intimate for me, and weird to do in front of my dad."
    He stretches and the hem of his shirt lifts a tad. I catch a glimpse of his stomach. A warm feeling courses through my body. The attraction I feel for him is maddening and ridiculous, since I'm determined not to be with him.
    "Is that it? I mean, are those all your rules?" he asks.
    "No, I have more." I pause before I continue, because I know I need more rules, but he's making it difficult for me to concentrate.
    "Fourth, no dates or big romantic declarations from you at any time. I don't want you to distract me from what's important, and that's my dad's recovery. I'm upset that you are taking advantage of him, and me. If you felt an ounce of the hurt I have right now, you wouldn't be doing this." I turn my head away from him, looking toward the nurses' station.
    "All right, Aimee, you have a deal." He's holding out his hand for me to shake, and I look at it. Now this just feels like a business arrangement. Which is good; if he follows these rules, everything will be okay. He can't stay here forever; he has a life and a career.
    I put my hand in his, and it's soft and warm. We shake and now I've entered into a verbal agreement with Keegan James. I pray this doesn't end badly for either of us.
    His phone rings. He looks down and excuses himself, telling me he has to take the call. He doesn't give me any info, and walks down a corridor for privacy. The feelings his brush-off gave me aren't good ones. I should be happy that I have an opportunity to finally breathe without him. I lay my head back, looking up at the ceiling, contemplating how on earth I'm going to get through all of this. Times like these are when I miss my grandmother. She always knew the right things to say. Her comforting words were what had gotten me through losing Keegan all those years ago.
    I suddenly can hardly keep my eyes open. They drift closed, and I open them again, but I'm way too tired. This whole day has completely drained me. I tell myself just a few minutes of shut-eye and I'll be all right.
    What seems like only a few minutes later, I'm nudged awake. Keegan's deep voice is in my ear, and I curl into him, wanting his warm body to lull me back to sleep. He puts his arms around me and pulls me in to his chest.
    Stroking my hair, he whispers, "Aimee, just go to sleep. You need your sleep. I'll be here if anything comes up."
    I don't want to fight him. I'm utterly exhausted. The last words that escape my mouth are, "This breaks the rules."
    I shouldn't be seeking any comfort from him, but it just feels too good.
     
    ***
 
    I inhale the sweet and familiar musky scent. My head is lying on a hard chest, and a strong hand is rubbing circles on my