Stay Read Online Free PDF Page A

world and keeping fans happy.
    I suddenly wondered if I was one of those fans—despite never having watched an episode in my life—and if all his, “Aw shucks, I’m such a nice guy” stuff was purely to get me in bed—check—and make sure he walked away with a sterling reputation.
    If Mel were here, she probably would’ve slapped me in the face. She’d been trying to push me back into the dating pool for well over a year, and I’d resisted—loudly and with several four-letter words—at every turn.
    But then, if Mel had been there, it would’ve been a mighty awkward situation, given Evan’s and my severe case of nudity.
    An uncomfortable silence settled between us. I lay there next to him, letting my breathing calm down as Evan reached over to play with the ends of my hair that fell across his pillow.
    “So…” I imagined if we were standing, I’d shuffle my feet uncomfortably as I fiddled with my cell phone or purse or whatever was handy. “I guess you need to head out soon?”
    His lips twitched into a sexy half grin that made me want to climb on and ride him all over again. “Trying to get rid of me?”
    My eyes widened, and my jaw dropped. So flattering, especially with my awesome morning breath, but he’d caught me off guard. “Um…huh?” Clearly, I was on my A -game. I really should have a pot of coffee programmed to brew before I wake up. Right next to my bed.
    Hard muscles flexed and drew my eyes as he rolled on his side to face me. I wanted to trace every inch of his intricately tattooed skin. With my tongue. Oh wait, I did that already.
    “I asked if you’re trying to get rid of me. I don’t usually pull a wham-bam-thank-you-ma’am. Even on the road.” Evan shrugged, his cheeks pinking up as much as his olive skin could. “I’m not that kind of guy. Cliché, I know. But I’m not.”
    My eyes burned with the urge to roll and the strength it took to resist. Next thing he’ll be telling me he saves puppies on the weekends and feeds the homeless in a soup kitchen he finances and staffs, himself. Sitting up in the bed, I drew my knees to my chest. “I don’t usually do this, either. But look, I get it. You’re famous. You’re on the road a good majority of the year. This was fun, and I’d love to do it again—”
    And again, and again, and again. The look on his face said he’d like to, as well.
    “—but I know the playbook here. We’ll exchange numbers and might even text a few times, but one of us will start getting busier, and we won’t have time to talk anymore. Then one day…” I put my fingers to my mouth and blew like there was a puff of smoke in my hands. “Poof, no more texts.”
    Evan cocked his head to one side and gave me a quizzical look. “It’s like you don’t know me at all, Kevin Spacey.” He winked when I smiled. He’d gotten my Usual Suspects reference. “Oh that’s right—you don’t. So, why don’t you let me take you to breakfast and give me a chance? You might even find you like me just as much out of bed as you do in.”
    You’re too good to be true.
    A dimple appeared in his right cheek as he smiled wide and shrugged. “Probably, but I’m a hungry guy who’s too good to be true. So, will you go to breakfast with me or do I have to go raid your kitchen?”
    “Oh shit, I said that out loud.” The back of my head hit the headboard with a thud. “I don’t have a mental filter without coffee. As for you stepping foot in my kitchen…” My knees popped when I jumped off the too-tall bed. At some point, I’d buy a new one or have this one lowered, but it’d have to wait until I got a steadier job than freelancing for the newspaper. “Not going to happen. Ever.”
    With that, I turned and padded into the bathroom to turn the water on for a shower.
    “Care for some company?” he called after me.
    “As tempting as that thought is,” I said as I pulled an extra towel from the closet, “I don’t know if I can handle another round yet.