"Tell me what you want, beautiful." My big voice is suddenly soft. Almost breathy.
She stretches an inch closer, telling me without words that she needs me to kiss her. Well, as of this second, I'm going to give Bailey everything she's ever wanted.
Our lips meet gently. Her body trembles faintly. Then the heat between us rises fast, hitting me smack dab in the center of my chest before zipping straight down between my legs. My hunger for her makes my knees unsteady, so I clutch at her, rubbing her back when the kiss deepens, making her moan faintly as I explore her tender mouth with my tongue. My fingersspear through the back of her hair, angling us together as her fingertips dig into the backs of my shoulders.
Suddenly I realize I'm sitting in the chair, with Bailey standing between my legs.
"Tell me to stop." Even as I say it, my hand slides up and under the back of her shirt to caress her silky skin.
"Never."
She kisses me just as hard as I'm kissing her, her fingers moving up and circling through the back of my hair. We moan together, breathing each other in, the prickle of excitement overheating us both.
She didn't say no. She saidnever. Bailey is very precise with her words. I think she just said she wants me. But I'm going to be the responsible one and put her work first.
After another full minute of passionate, white-hot kissing, I gently push her away. "You have to study," I breathe. "And I have to get supplies and check in with the town."
Although her smile is sweet, her eyes sparkle with a naughty glow. “Fine,” she pouts.
"See you soon, beautiful."
Some people might be paranoid about leaving a stranger alone in their house. Me, I feel like puzzle pieces have snapped into place.
Bailey belongs here with me. If she’s here, I can care for her while she aces that exam.
And if she’s here, I can make her fall in love with me.
6
BAILEY
What a roller coaster of a day. Start the day jumping out of bed full of energy and thinking about Nate. Then discover my family left without me, taking my purse with them.
AndthenNate shows up like a knight in shining armor. Okay, a knight in a charcoal gray corduroy jacket. Still. Handsome, capable, instantly took care of everything.
I’ll admit, when he went out for groceries I took a peek around his house to make sure he's normal. He’s not. He’sbetterthan normal. Organized to such a degree that it makes me feel in control, if that makes sense. Everything is laid out logically, which goes a long way to making me feel calmer.
I was pretty much ready for my practice test when he knocked on my door and presented me with a sandwich, coffee, and a small gift bag with a bunch of incidentals that might have been in my purse – lip balm, peppermints, a small pack of tissues, a mini notepad and spare pen.
How thoughtful is that?
It put me in a fantastic mood for my practice test, which I was frankly quite nervous about, and I aced it. I mean, there werea few sections I didn't get perfect. I go through them, making notes, running through the problems again until I feel totally ready for tomorrow.
By the time I glance at the clock, it's ten past five. Nate mentioned dinner, so I brush my hair and put it half up in a clip. Luckily, my makeup bag was in my suitcase, so I add a touch of brown eyeliner, then swipe on my brand-new vanilla lip balm. With a fresh shirt and fuzzy purple socks as slippers, I almost feel like I'm getting ready for a date.
Is that silly? Just because Nate kissed me doesn't mean he's interested in a real relationship. Still, this heat between us needs to be explored, even if just for a couple of days. When something feels this right, a girl needs to go with her gut. Right?
That isn't usually my style. I tend to analyze, not go where my heart takes me. This new approach has me smiling from ear to ear as I go downstairs to see what smells so good in Nate's kitchen.
"There she is!” He pulls out a chair at the dining table for me.
Oh, wow. He's set the table with a green-on-green leaf patterned tablecloth, charming dishes and silverware. There’s even some white taper candles in green glass holders. It’s touching that Nate went to so much trouble. It dawns on me that this really does feel like a date. A very private, low-key one, as if he’s testing the waters.
If only he knew how I want to dive into the deep end of those waters immediately.
He pours me a glass of white wine, then begins plating dinner. "How did your test go?" He pauses what he's doing to listen to my answer.
It's amazing to have his full attention, like I'm the most important person in the world.
