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Overcome with emotion, I stood and moved to sit with him, wrapping my hands around his face and looking into his eyes. “Thank you for sharing that with me. No one has ever made me feel the way you do. It’s scary, and at the same time, I understand everything you’ve said. But we all deserve a second chance, Dax. You’re no different just because you’ve made some mistakes. And you’re no more responsible for what happened to Maren than Rafe was. You’re doing the best you can every day, and I respect you so much for that.” My eyes watered. “Thank you for taking care of my brother. Thank you for finding me and giving me the gift of knowing him. And the gift of knowing you. You might feel like your life has been less than perfect, but you’re one of the most influential people in my life.”
His eyes seared into mine. “You deserve the world, beautiful girl. I hope over the next two years you take it by storm.”
Dax pulled me to him, enveloping my mouth with his. I wasn’t expecting him to kiss me tonight, but I was so glad he did. We seemed to fall into it so naturally. Like a magnet. This kiss felt different from our first. It wasn’t as fast and frantic. It was firm and passionate. Because it was slower, I felt it in every fiber of my being, as if with each second, he was pouring his soul into mine.
His sweatpants did nothing to contain his erection, and I couldn’t help moving on top of him and bearing down on the heat beneath me, even if just for a minute. I wanted to feel him inside of me more than I’d ever wanted anything, but I knew I had to stop egging him on. As my father had said, “Men only have so much control.” And something told me if we both lost control tonight, I’d become even more addicted than I already was. No way could I get on that plane and leave him. It’d be hard enough as things were. But I also realized the night was still young. I didn’t trust myself.
As we pulled away to catch our breath, I forced myself off of him and returned to my spot on the floor.
“Can I ask you a favor?” he asked, rubbing his fingers over his lips, still plump from my kiss.
“Sure.”
“Will you play the cello for me once before you leave?”
“Like a private show?”
“Yeah. Live, in person.”
“Of course. I don’t do that for just anyone, but I’ll do it for you.” I’d do anything you asked me to, and that’s the problem.
We stayed up and talked until we could no longer deny that it was, in fact, the middle of the night. I never wanted this evening to end.
“I can stay in one of the guest rooms,” I insisted.
“You didn’t like my room?”
“I loved your room. But it’s not necessary. I can take one of the other rooms this time.”
Dax and I headed upstairs, and he turned on the lights in one of his two spare bedrooms. The décor had a feminine vibe, and I knew that Maren must’ve designed it.
I looked around. “I have everything I need in here.” Except for you.
Dax looked conflicted. Like maybe he didn’t want me to stay the night? Was he still having doubts?
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
He bit his lip. “I want you in my bed.”
“This room is really fine,” I insisted.
“With me, Wren,” he clarified.
Chills ran down my spine. That’s what I wanted, of course, but I didn’t understand his sudden change in stance. “Don’t you think that’s a bad idea?”
“I do. I think it’s a very bad fucking idea. But I want to lie with you anyway, hold you for just one night. I feel like this is my only chance.”
I inched toward him. “I want nothing more than to lie with you tonight.”
He offered his hand. “Let’s go, then.”
As Dax led me down the hall to his bedroom, it felt surreal. I had no idea what to expect, but I was grateful to get to hold him, at the very least.
Once inside his dimly lit room, Dax removed his watch and placed it on the end table. I sat at the edge of the bed, unexpectedly nervous.
“Don’t worry. I won’t bite you in your sleep,” he said.
“Damn. I was counting on it,” I teased, despite my jitters.
When had the roles reversed, making him the confident one and me the ball of nerves? He pulled down the comforter and sheets, and I lay down. He followed suit and faced me.
As my head hit the pillow, I confessed, “I know you said you could smell me on your sheets, but all I could smell was you the last time I slept here. It kept me up—in a painfully good way. But nothing compares to this…lying next to you.”
