Page 176 of No Headlines Please

I stifled a laugh. "No."

"Scuba gear."

"No."

"Huh." He paused. "Then, I've gotta be honest. I'm stumped."

I glanced down. "It's just a T-shirt."

"Just a T-shirt?"

My face warmed. "Well…and panties, too. Obviously."

"Yeah? What color?"

I smiled. "Pink, actually."

"Nice." He sounded like he meant it.

"So…what color are your boxers?"

"Basic black."

I could totally envision them, along with the hard line of his stomach and the bare expanse of his chest. My sheets, which had felt crisp and cool just a moment ago, suddenly felt warm against my bare legs. Softly, I whispered, "Nice."

He said nothing.

Again, I glanced down at my shirt. Monsters Need Love, too. "But about my T-shirt…I'm just worried you'll take it personally."

He was silent for a long moment before saying, "Personally, huh?"

"Well…" I smiled. "I did say I'd make you talk, remember?"

"I remember."

My breath hitched. "Maybe I should do that now."

He paused, and I swear, I could hear his smile. "Just maybe?"

Actually, it was more than maybe.

By now, I was desperate to be close to him, and I wasn't going to let a silly shirt derail me now. I eased out of the covers and silently padded my way toward the bathroom door. I took a deep breath and slowly pulled it open, wincing when it gave a tiny creak.

I froze. Was I really doing this?

Yes. Definitely.

If I didn't, I'd wake up tomorrow totally regretting it.

Carefully, I started moving through the bathroom. As I tiptoed past the bathtub, I whispered into the phone, "Did you hear that?"

"Hear what?"

"Someone's at the door."

He went quiet as if listening. "Who?"

"Me." And with that, I twisted the knob to his bedroom and plunged into the darkness, making out only the faintest outline of a double bed and a dark figure sitting up in the middle. Maddox.