He wasn’t distressed, not even a little bit. In fact, he was elated. For a minute he couldn’t say a word and then said, “And you think I have a problem with you not being able to keep your hands off me?”

She nodded. “If you don’t have a problem with it then you should. We aren’t married. We aren’t even engaged.”

“I asked you to marry me Friday night.”

She used her hand to wave off his reminder. “Yes, but it would be a marriage of convenience, which I haven’t agreed to yet since the issue of the sleeping arrangements is still up in the air. Until I do decide I think it’s best if you stay under your roof and I stay under mine. Yes, that’s the proper thing to do.”

He lifted a brow. “The proper thing to do?”

“Yes, proper, appropriate, suitable, fitting, which of those words do you prefer using?”

“What about none of them?”

“It doesn’t matter, Jason. It’s bad enough that we got carried away the other night in this kitchen. But we can’t repeat something like that.”

He didn’t see why they couldn’t and was about to say as much when he heard footsteps approaching and glanced over as Derringer and Zane entered the kitchen.

“Pete thinks he’s found a footprint outside near the bushes and is checking it out now,” Derringer informed them.

Jason nodded. He then turned back to Bella and his expression was one that would accept no argument on the matter. “Pack an overnight bag, Bella. You’re staying at my place tonight even if I have to sleep in the barn.”

Six

Bella glared at Jason. It was a ladylike glare but a glare nonetheless. She opened her mouth to say something then remembered they had an audience and immediately closed it. She cast a warm smile over at Zane and Derringer. “I’d like a few minutes alone with Jason to discuss a private matter, please.”

They returned her smile, nodded and gave Jason “you’ve done it now” smiles before walking out of the kitchen.

It was then that she turned her attention back to Jason. “Now then, Jason, let’s not be ridiculous. You are not sleeping in your barn just so I can sleep under your roof. I’m staying right here.”

She could tell he did not appreciate his order not being obeyed when she saw his irritation with her increase. “Have you forgotten someone threw a rock through your window with a note demanding you leave town?”