Barrett didn't know what would happen after the investigation.For one thing, he couldn't predict the outcome.Cadie had a life in New Orleans, a career, friends, and a band that depended on her.He had his company in California.Their lives were in different cities.The distance between New Orleans and Los Angeles was more than a few miles.
Cadie shifted on the bed then curled her hand against his chest.She made a soft sound, contented and warm, then settled against him.Barrett tightened his arm around her.
He was falling in love again—or maybe he had been in love from the start.Either way, his emotional wall had crumbled, and Cadie was on the other side.That thought filled him with hope.
Barrett pressed a kiss to the top of her head, smelling her hair.Then he closed his eyes, still holding her close.
Chapter 11
Cadie woke to the steady rhythm of Barrett's breathing beside her.She lay still, not wanting to disturb the moment.Barrett was on his side with one arm draped across her waist, and his face was relaxed in a way she rarely saw when he was awake.He looked at peace.
She noticed the faint lines at the corners of his eyes, the dark hair falling across his forehead, and a small scar near his left temple that she had seen last night but hadn't asked about.There were years written on his face that she hadn't been part of.But at that moment, with his arm warm across her body, that didn't matter.
The night before came back to her in vivid detail.She remembered the music at Prohibition and the revelations over dinner.She remembered the way Barrett had taken her hand on the stairs and turned toward his room instead of hers.She could still feel the tenderness in his hands when he touched her face, the way he had been unhurried and careful, as if every moment between them was something to be treasured.
She had no regrets.
Her life felt more complete, as though something that had been missing for a long time had quietly settled into place.She couldn't say where things would go after the investigation ended.There were too many unknowns.Her life was in New Orleans with the band, and Barrett had a business in California.It was too soon for commitments, too early for promises that neither of them could be certain they could keep.
But Barrett had stolen her heart…again.
He stirred beside her, and his arm tightened slightly around her waist.His eyes opened, then he smiled.
"You're watching me," he said, his voice low and rough with sleep.
"I am."
He reached up and stroked her hair, his fingers gentle as they followed the dark strands across the pillow.Then he leaned over and kissed her.The kiss was slow and unhurried, and it said more than words could have.
Barrett drew her closer and Cadie gave her heart to the experience.She matched his tenderness with her own, letting the morning warm her as the world outside the hotel room waited.
The connection between them deepened with every touch.The intimacy was more than physical closeness.She trusted Barrett enough to be vulnerable.Whatever happened afterward, she would cherish these precious memories.
For a moment, she snuggled next to Barrett.He pressed a kiss to her temple, then sat up and swung his legs over the edge of the bed.
"Coffee," he said."I'll get it started."
Cadie smiled."Perfect."
He pulled on his jeans and a gray T-shirt, then crossed the room to the small coffee maker on the desk.She heard him filling the reservoir with water and the quiet click of the machine starting.
Cadie slipped into the bathroom to freshen up.She washed her face, brushed her teeth with the spare toothbrush the hotel provided, and ran her fingers through her hair.She studied her reflection for a moment and noticed something different, a softness in her expression, or maybe a steadiness that hadn't been there before.
She put on one of the white hotel robes, tying the sash at her waist, and returned to the room.
Barrett leaned against the desk with two cups of coffee already poured.The sleeves of his T-shirt stretched across his broad shoulders, and his dark hair was still tousled from sleep.He looked impossibly sexy standing there, completely at ease.
He handed her a cup, and his fingers touched hers.The brief contact sent a wave of pleasure through her.
"Should we go down for breakfast?"she asked, wrapping both hands around the cup.
Barrett shook his head."I'll order room service."He held her gaze."I prefer to be alone with you, for as long as we have."
The words were simple, but they carried weight.There was no guarantee about the future, and Cadie heard that truth beneath what he said.She understood it completely.
Her heart ached with loss already.She wanted more mornings and quiet moments with Barrett.
Cadie settled onto one end of the small sofa near the window while Barrett took the other end.The room smelled like fresh coffee and the faint scent of Barrett's cologne.She tucked her legs beneath her and sipped the coffee, which was hot and strong.
