Veronica moved toward the door, planning to close it before retreating to the bathroom. The moment she stepped forward, she collided directly with Cullen, who had doubled back unexpectedly.
Her body went rigid as she quickly moved aside.
She assumed he had returned for something he forgot. His luggage remained scattered throughout the room, after all.
Instead, Cullen stepped inside and closed the door with deliberate ease. Everything about his posture suggested he had no plans to leave tonight.
The realization hit Veronica like a cold wave.
Before she could voice her confusion, Cullen brushed past her, moving deeper into the room.
As he passed, her senses sharpened involuntarily. Niall's distinctive perfume clung to his skin like a territorial claim. A telltale smear of lipstick decorated his collar, stark against the fresh pajama shirt.
He had showered and changed into clean clothes, which meant one thing. Niall's scent and that crimson mark had been transferred to him after they left together earlier.
She had noticed something different about his mouth the moment he appeared. His lips carried an unusual flush that she initially dismissed as a trick of the light. Now the evidence painted a clearer picture.
Cullen settled onto the bed as if claiming his rightful place. He clearly intended to remain here for the night.
The development surprised her. She had expected something different.
Then again, Cook's eagle eyes monitored every corner of this house. Spending the night in Niall's room would invite unwanted scrutiny.
Had Niall sought him out earlier because of her own insecurities? Perhaps she feared what might unfold between them behind closed doors.
Cullen, understanding Niall's unspoken anxiety, had obviously provided the reassurance she craved. The lingering perfume and lipstick evidence suggested their goodbye had been thorough and passionate.
Veronica forced herself to abandon that line of thinking.
Thirty minutes passed before she emerged from the bathroom. Cullen sat absorbed in reading, but the book in his hands belonged to her personal collection.
Irritation flashed across her features. Taking her belongings without permission crossed a line she preferred to maintain. She opened her mouth to object when Cullen glanced up, reading her expression with unsettling accuracy.
"Does this bother you?" he asked directly.
It absolutely bothered her. However, apart from some marginal notes she had scribbled during her first reading, the book contained nothing sensitive. No company secrets or confidential meeting details lurked within those pages.
She steadied her voice. "Somewhat."
Cullen met her gaze steadily. "I'll ask permission next time before borrowing anything."
She doubted their strained relationship would create another scenario requiring them to share sleeping quarters again.
Cullen returned his attention to the pages and offered an unexpected observation. "Your annotations show real insight."
The compliment hung in the air between them.
Veronica acted as though the words had never been spoken. She retrieved the hairdryer and disappeared back into the bathroom to tend to her damp hair.
When she reemerged, Cullen remained engrossed in her book.
She completed her evening skincare ritual methodically, then claimed her side of the bed, preparing for sleep.
Cullen showed no signs of following suit.
Veronica had no awareness of when he eventually turned off the light because exhaustion claimed her quickly.
Dawn light filtered through the curtains when she stirred the following morning.
The sun painted golden streaks across the walls. Cullen's side of the bed lay empty and undisturbed.
Silence filled every corner of the room. He had vanished completely.
Departing so early? Perhaps he had never actually spent the night here at all.
She had already coordinated with Dario about returning to handle pressing company business.
After breakfast, she gathered her belongings, secured her suitcase, and prepared to leave.
The moment she opened her door, Sabrina's voice drifted from somewhere down the corridor. "Niall is terrible! She promised to share my room last night, but she snuck back to her own bed in the middle of the night instead!"
Sabrina was venting her frustration to Chelsea.
This revelation confirmed Veronica's suspicions. Cullen had not remained in their shared room.
He had migrated to Niall's bed instead.
Could they truly not endure a single night apart? Was their desire for each other that consuming and urgent?