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The last time he remembered wanting to cuddle had been a lifetime ago. And his desire had not been fulfilled. His ex-wife hadn’t turned out to be a fan of cuddling, or in fact any touching, and especially not when they were sleeping. He shook off that rancid relationship memory and sent an arm around Lilianna’s shoulder to ground himself in a new and better future.
She immediately slipped her arm around his waist and burrowed her head into the crook of his neck and shoulder, squeezing him closer. He kissed her forehead, as gentlemanly thoughts of sleeping with her were discarded in favor of what sexual position would be most comfortable in Hunter’s small workshop bed.
“Is there somewhere else we could go?” she asked suddenly.
“Somewhere else?”
She stopped walking and moved her head from his shoulder. Her gaze—filled with what looked like abject fear—held his sudden and very rapt attention.
“You know, a place that no one would ever think to look for us. I mean…what if they search this place, too? Won’t they look for me at Hunter’s shop first?”
Dylan shrugged. “Possibly. But I don’t even expect the Feds to get into our compound tonight. At least not without a SWAT team in place to hold Kendall back. He’s very uncooperative with regard to our compound’s access and the breaching of it.”
Half a smile formed on her lips, which he was happy to see. But she did have a point. He couldn’t remember if the hidden room was soundproof or not. Then he recalled one other place they might be able to go and headed in that direction instead.
The thought of illicit sex with Lilianna, in a place they weren’t supposed to be, filled him with an overwhelming desire. And no one would ever think to look for them there either.
Maybe he wouldn’t let Lilianna sleep just yet.
“Okay. I have an idea. Follow me.” Dylan gripped her hand again and pulled her off the wooden sidewalk they traversed and into a narrow passageway between buildings. It was dark, but he knew the way.
She hugged his arm. “This alley is really dark. Are you sure we’re alone here?”
Dylan laughed. “We are, with the exception of the night patrol guards. Don’t be scared. I’ll protect you.” And he would too. Until his dying breath escaped.
“I have no doubt.” But she squeezed his fingers hard with both of her hands.
They exited the alley and walked behind the storefronts on Old West Town’s main street.
He led her to the corner of a building and up a long, narrow flight of stairs. Grabbing the key from the center top of the doorframe to gain entrance, Dylan unlocked the door. He replaced the key and led Lilianna into an office of sorts, with a desk, a couple of chairs, and a couch that he knew folded out into a full-size bed. Much better than the single bed that they’d be crowded into if they’d ended up in the woodworking shop’s hidden room.
He closed the door and locked them in. Eyeing the sofa that he knew turned into a bed with a vain hope that the sheets were reasonably clean, Dylan kissed her in the dark, anticipating the rest of their night together in this secret place.
Below them he heard rustling horse noises from the stable.
“What is this place?”
“It’s the stable master’s office.”
“Really? Are you by chance the stable master?”
“No, but we’re friends. Logan won’t mind if we crash here tonight.” Probably.
Dylan felt his way to the desk and pulled the chain cord on the green banker’s lamp there, suddenly illuminating the room in a brighter than expected glow.
“Quaint.”
The hum of the small refrigerator Logan kept alongside his desk roared to life as if welcoming them to the space.
Lilianna glanced at the fridge. “I didn’t realize refrigeration had been invented in the Old West by this time period.”
Dylan pushed out an amused sigh. “Well, Logan likes a few creature comforts. And this place isn’t on the program for Old West Town exploration. It will serve our needs nicely though.”
She crossed the room, expelling a weary sigh as she sat down on the sofa. “Where are we going to sleep? Or are we just hiding out until they serve the warrant?”
“The sofa folds out into a bed. Personally, I think we should open it up, snuggle in, and spend the night.”
