Twelve

Shane was glad his mother turned in early for bed, he had been waiting for her to bring out the 'beloved mama's questionnaire'. The woman was rather wary when it came to relationships, especially since his father had made a mockery of the institution of marriage, even to the point of bringing his conquests home.

His mother had had a hell of a time hoping for once he'd rethink his actions, much to Shane's chagrin. It wasn't until they had found out his dad had another family away from them that Maria had signed the divorce papers. It was going to be hard convincing his mother that Jocelyn wouldn't hurt him and he wouldn't hurt her. His past with Ava didn't help either.

Shane watched Jocelyn pick at her food after his mother left. She looked uncomfortable now that they were alone.

She cleared her throat, then carefully laid down her fork and knife.

"You're a good cook," she looked down at the plate. "I didn't know you could cook. Which brings us to the discussion we are about to have."

Shane eyed her bent head, not sure where she was going with the conversation.

"Okay. I'm listening."

She whipped her head up, and looked straight into his eyes.

Shane found it creepy that she had looked shy and skeptical about this conversation in the first place, and then in an instant, she was staring at him head on. He was intrigued with the way she swung moods so easily and still managed to look calm with each of them. Most women didn't even look at his face when they talked to him, except they were flirting with him.

"I don't know anything about you. You don't know anything about me. How is this supposed to work?" She waved her hand between them.

"Everything you need to know about me, you can get it off the internet," Shane smiled. If that was what the conversation was about, he had no qualms getting to know Jocelyn. It would proof rather interesting.

Jocelyn sighed, "I don't think you get my point. I'm supposed to be marrying you in a few weeks. I don't think information from the internet is what people expect to hear from couples. They want something different. Something real. Besides, your mother's known you all your life. What would she make of someone who doesn't know her son's birthday or favorite food."

Shane rolled his eyes. All the things Jocelyn had mentioned could be found on the internet. "So? What's your point?"

"For someone as educated as you, you are pretty dumb. And slow."

Shane sighed. It was the second time someone was calling him dumb in the space of a week. "Okay. I'm very busy at work. But I can devote thirty minutes everyday for getting to know each other," he said with air quotes.

"Great. Now, can we go to bed? I'm incredibly tired."

Shane smiled, "Of course we can go to bed."

Jocelyn bent to slip off her shoes. "I don't think we mean the same thing, baby boy." She stood up, picking her shoes and then stretched, "Besides there will be a curtain divide."

Shane groaned, "Not you too. Wait, what's a curtain divide?"

He picked up the plates from the table and stacked them in the dishwasher. Jocelyn followed his lead, picking up glasses with her free hand.

"You'll see," was Jocelyn's muttered response.

* * *

Jocelyn paced the length of the huge bathroom in Shane's room. She realized only now how stupid she was.

Only her would forget packing at least an overnight bag for a one week stay.

She hadn't even thought of bringing a toothbrush, or a nightgown, or extra underwear for staying at home. The only things she had were the dresses and lacy lingerie she had purchased earlier in the day.

How was she supposed to go to sleep in a tight gown. Beside a man.

"Are you going to sleep in there?" Shane yelled from the bedroom. She had been in the bathroom for up to thirty minutes.

"I'm coming. Just trying to figure out stuff," Jocelyn yelled back. She used an elastic band to tie her hair in a messy bun, then wiped of the subtle make up with a wipe she found on the bathroom counter.

"I forgot to get the couch upstairs, and I can't think of any alternative. So, we get to use the bed. Together," Shane called out again.

Deciding now was a good time as any to leave the bathroom, Jocelyn came out. "Good thing I thought of the divide."

"Yeah, yeah. Are you going to sleep in that?" Shane asked, eyeing the dress.

"Um, unfortunately yes." Jocelyn moved towards the king sized bed. It could fit about four people in it. It was covered in pristine white sheets, pillows were strewn about on the floor. She began to pick pillows and set them in the middle of the bed, forming a boundary that ran from the head to the foot of the mattress.

"This is your divide? Great. I'll just have to cuddle with the pillows then," Shane frowned.

Jocelyn laughed. Shane looked as if someone just stole his last bit of cookie. "All I have to do now, is figure out how to sleep in a dress, and sleep with a man who snores beside me."

Shane frowned again, his brows drawing together. "I don't snore. What's the deal with the dress anyway?"

"Apparently, I didn't think of packing a bag, because someone was scared of his mommy catching up to his ploy. So I forgot to pack nightgowns, toothbrush, hairbrush and the likes."

Shane scoffed, "I can lend you my shirt. Then drop you off at your apartment on my way to work."

Jocelyn nodded her head, while Shane walked into his closet. He came back a few seconds later, a gray T-shirt in his hand. She took it from him, then went back into the bathroom.

She tried tugging on the hem of the shirt, but it just wouldn't come down a bit. The shirt ended at mid thigh, leaving a good portion of her legs on display. She couldn't possibly go out in just a shirt. She pulled her bra back on, the shirt was very light and revealing. Trust Shane to give her a ridiculous T-shirt.

"Shane, I need shorts," she called out, tugging on the shirt one more time.

He huffed, then knocked on the door of the bathroom a few seconds later.

She pulled the door slightly open, then grabbed the red sports short he handed her, before slamming the door.

The shorts were large, but it was better than being almost naked.

When she walked back in, Shane stood still, staring at her.

"What?" Was the shirt more revealing than she'd thought?

Shane shook his head. "I guess I'll dream of angels tonight, Josie. Goodnight bunny."

He climbed into his side of the bed, wiggling his brows at her.

Jocelyn sighed, then took the other half, pulling the covers over her head. "Goodnight, and thanks for everything."

"Mm hm."

Soon, Shane was snoring lightly. Jocelyn stared at the ceiling. It had cherubs painted all over it and they seemed to be staring back at her. She wondered why he had them, they were freaking her out. She turned to face the nightstand on her side of the bed; praying and hoping for sleep to come.

What are you doing Josie? What have you gotten into?

Men like Shane didn't marry people like me, even if its for a business deal.

Or do they? The thought was the last thing on her mind before she closed her eyes.