Brendan pinched the bridge of his nose as if he was trying to fight back fatigue. “I accidentally took a nap during my bath. What’s the matter?”

“Oh, it was nothing,” Charlene smiled. “I was just enjoying a chat with Miss McKinnon.”

“A chat?” snarled Deirdre, clearly not in the mood to play along. “I’m not in the mood to engage in brain-rotting chatter in the middle of the freezing night. Miss McKinney, though, spent a good few minutes knocking on your door until everyone in the house woke up!”

She turned on her heels and slammed her door shut.

Brendan turned his attention back to Charlene. His face was markedly devoid of rage, impatience, or any emotion. Still, his attention lingered on her body for a far longer time than he usually did.

“Aren’t you cold?” he finally remarked.

Of course Charlene was cold—her getup was scant by design! She did not expect Brendan to take his bath this late into the night either. But since he put it that way… Charlene would not let this perfect ex