AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The hand intimately caressing her waist stilled. “Guess that means you figured out how to exorcise the ghosts of past lovers. Or you think I’ll be in your bed for the rest of its life.”
The post-orgasm high vanished as the heaviness of his real question weighted the atmosphere.
“Um...” Well, she really hadn’t thought through how that particular confession was going to go, had she? “Door number three. I thought you were worth it regardless.”
He slid a hand up to her jaw and guided her head up so he could look at her. Something misty and tender sprang from his gaze. “That’s the best thing anyone’s ever said to me.”
How could that be? Surely someone had told him he had value before. But his expression said otherwise.
She couldn’t look away as a powerful and intangible current arced between them. It was more than the connection she’d told him was possible. More than the deepening of their friendship that she’d sought.
Then he laid his lips on hers in a sweet kiss that went on and on and sent her into the throes of a whole different kind of high. So what if her head was firmly in the clouds?
She was in bed with Dax and he was beautiful and precious and it was the most amazing night in her memory.
And it didn’t appear to be ending anytime soon.
“Lay here with me.” He spooned her against his warm torso and held her as if he’d never let go, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
“So are you...staying?” She bit her lip and left it at that, though the question was so much bigger.
“What, you mean overnight?” he mumbled. “Since it’s nearly two a.m., I assumed that was pretty much a given. Do you want me to leave?”
“No!” Horrified, she snuggled deeper into him in apology and his arms tightened. The last thing she wanted was to wake up alone. “Just checking. I’m happy with you where you are.”
No man had ever slept in this bed, either, and she wasn’t sorry she’d waited for Dax to be the first. He fit into it perfectly and if he wasn’t careful, she would invite him to spend a good long while in it.
That was actually what she’d hoped to establish by asking whether he planned to stay. Not just overnight, but when tomorrow came, then what? Was it too soon to talk about it? Was it implied that this was the start of a relationship in every sense?
Or was she supposed to know this was one night only?
“Good. Get some sleep. You’re going to need it. And Elise,” he whispered in her ear. “I might stay tomorrow night, too.”
Apparently he’d read her thoughts.
Whether she’d given herself permission or not, it was too late to pretend she wasn’t falling for him. She tucked the feeling away and held it close to her heart.
She fell asleep with a smile on her face and woke up with the same smile. Dax made her happy and she wanted to do the same for him. But he wasn’t in the bed. Covers thrown back, his side was already cool. Frowning, she strained to hear the shower. Nothing.
He wasn’t downstairs either. She sighed and pulled the sash on her robe tighter, cursing herself for thinking...well, it didn’t matter. Dax was free to leave. She’d just hoped he wouldn’t. He hadn’t made promises—false or otherwise—and she hadn’t requested any.
But she’d put a lot of faith in him based on his insistence that he meant it and his pretty speech about trust. Perhaps she should have established a better understanding of his definition of “I mean it.”
When the front door swung open and Dax called out cheerily, she nearly dropped her freshly brewed cup of coffee.
Dax sauntered into the kitchen all windblown and smiley. It shouldn’t be possible to look that delicious after only a few hours of sleep. She didn’t bother to hide her openmouthed gaping.
He dropped a kiss on her temple and handed her a bag. “Hey, gorgeous. Bagels. I hope that’s okay. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, after all.” He grinned and eyed her robe. “But now I’m wondering what’s underneath there. Breakfast can wait a few minutes, can’t it?”
“Maybe. Depends on how good the bagels are.” She smiled as he glared at her in mock dismay. Then she noticed the other bag, hanging from his shoulder. “That, um, looks like a suitcase. Taking a trip?”
He shrugged. “Picked up a few things while I was out. I don’t live far. Figured I’d like to be dressed in an actual suit Monday morning when I show up for work.”
