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I better give her PJ bottoms to go with the t-shirt or I’m fucked, and not in a good way.
Krista wasn’t a child, and she could feel the sexual tension building between them. It would have been so easy for her to insist that she return to Vermont tonight, or to go stay at hotel. But neither of those things appealed to her. It wasn’t like she had been thinking about making love to him all day long. She had too many other things on her mind. But she was willing to admit, she wasn’t ready to say goodbye. And going back to Vermont right now would be doing that. There was no longer a reason for them to continue to see each other.
But even now as she changed into pajamas that he provided her, she questioned if this was a wise choice. When they had gone to New York, it was different. That penthouse wasn’t his. It had been like going to a hotel with an adjoining room. But this apartment really felt like Connor. It was laid-back, casual, and comfortable. The couch was large and overstuffed, and the chair beside it, didn’t match at all. Neither did the two end tables. But all the furniture in his apartment was functional. Not surprisingly, there was no clutter. It seemed as though everything was placed deliberately in a certain spot. That was the case throughout the house until she came to the kitchen. In there she found just about every spice one could imagine. But most of them not even opened. Maybe he was a collector of spices.
She had a feeling there was a story behind that, but she was too tired to ask. Her eyes were burning from lack of sleep and if she did not get to bed soon, she would probably drop where she was standing.
So Krista went back into the living room thinking that Connor might be there. But she was alone and his bedroom door was closed. Maybe he went to bed. She would’ve thought that he would come and check on her one last time, maybe wish her good night and some sweet dreams.
Or better yet, a kiss goodnight.
Thoughts like that definitely was not going to help her fall asleep. But maybe it was what she needed after these past few days. Just because she was a physician, didn’t mean she wasn’t haunted with images of what her patients were going through, or in this case, going to face. And knowing that she couldn’t be in New York, to actually care for Miss Twanda, wasn’t easy either. Yes Miss Twanda was going to have the best care, but Krista never found walking away to be easy.
That probably was why she was standing in Connor’s apartment in his pajamas. Even in such a short period, she’d grown attached to him, although in a much different way.
There was so much more to Connor than most people probably realized. She noticed how he held tight to his hard outer shell, but there was a sensitive side that he kept buried. But the more time they spent together, she saw more of his vulnerable side and she had to admit, she liked it. But with how high her emotions have been these last several days, she really should take a step back and re-evaluate things.
Krista could go into the spare bedroom and lie there looking at the ceiling and think, but that couch was calling out to her. So she plopped down and knew right away, she’d made the right choice. This thing practically enveloped her. Granted, it wasn’t as nice as Connor’s arms would have been, but she’d take what she could get.
She picked up one of the couch pillows and instantly the scent of him filled the room. She had no idea what cologne he wore, but damn it was good. Lifting it to her nose, she inhaled deeply. So damn good.
Krista quickly tossed the pillow to the other side of the couch. It was a pillow for goodness sake, and even that made her want to be closer to him.
Don’t worry. It’s just sleep deprivation. After a couple of hours of sleep, I will be back to my normal self.
But the sleep had to come first, and she was definitely wide-awake now. This was all Connor’s fault. If he’d just let the pilot bring her to Montpelier as he was supposed to, she would be in her own bed right now.
Probably tossing and turning and doing the same damn thing. Thinking about Connor.
It sure in hell beat the alternative. So why not think about something that made her smile. Granted, there were a few times he drove her crazy and she could pull her hair out, but that seemed to have decreased as time went on. He was kind and supportive, letting her do what she needed to, and when things became overwhelming or overall too much, Connor took control so she could breathe and gather herself. It was as though he knew what she needed and filled that need.
But Connor thought she needed sleep. He was right, they both did. But her mind wouldn’t shut off. Apparently his did.
Tonight, she wished he would sense her needs. What harm would come from him joining her on the couch, pulling her into his embrace and kissing her until the only thoughts she had was the taste of his sweet lips?
If only it was as simple as being in his arms for a few hours and everything would be better.
Truth was, it’d be worst. Tomorrow she’d be back home and the last thing she needed to add to her list was missing Connor. She knew she would miss him anyway, but if they became any closer, became intimate, it would be worse.
If she was going to have a sleepless night, she best do it behind closed doors. The last thing she needed right now was Connor leaving his room and comforting her on the couch.
She got up and headed to the room. As she was closing her door, she couldn’t take her eyes off his. Deep down inside, she couldn’t help but hope to see his ajar. But it wasn’t and so she shut hers.
Krista laid down, pulled the covers up, practically over her head, and somehow drifted off to the very much-needed sleep.
She woke suddenly to the sounds of sirens. Sitting up in a panic, Krista took in her surroundings. It was all coming back. That loud noise was from living in a city and she wasn’t home either. None of this had been a dream.
Stretching, she knew at least one positive thing had taken place, she slept. Tossing the covers off, she got up and headed for the kitchen. Krista never broke her promises, and she owed him breakfast. When she left her room, she noticed his bedroom door was still shut. Maybe he was sleeping in late. That was good. It meant she could cook, undisturbed.
If he were in the kitchen shirtless, I’d definitely burn the breakfast.
The one thing about Connor’s apartment that she’d change was having only one shared bathroom. Normally she’d like to start her day with a very long hot shower. But instead, she opted to brush her teeth and comb her hair. The shower would need to wait until he was through. Actually, she liked to stay in the shower until the hot water ran out. Back home she had a small hot water heater, so that was about twenty minutes. In New York, it seemed endless. Here, at his place, either way, she’d made it a short one. Too many things could go wrong, or so right, if she didn’t.
Don’t even start thinking those thoughts again. Not today. Not anymore.
Krista already had her day planned. Make Connor breakfast. Go visit Patty and Mikie. Go back to Vermont. Tonight, she’d be where she belonged. In my own bed.
When she got into the kitchen, she noticed a piece of paper on the table. She hadn’t seen it there last night. Walking over she picked it up.
GOOD MORNING SLEEPYHEAD. OR MAYBE IT IS AFTERNOON BY NOW. BUT SINCE YOU HAVE NOT PAID YOUR DEBT, INTEREST HAS BEEN ADDED. IT MUST BE PAID IN FULL. HOW ABOUT DINNER WITH ME? I’LL BE BACK AT SIX. CONNOR.
Krista looked at the clock on the kitchen wall. It was almost two in the afternoon. That wasn’t sleep, it was more like a coma. She had so many plans for today, and the day was already half gone. How was she going to get ready, do her visiting and be back in time to meet Connor?
She shook her head. And if we have dinner, then it will be late again when she needed to leave. This whole thing would start all over. Krista had to think of a way to make the best of the time she had.
Quick shower. Short visit. Cook here instead of going out.
It was settled. They’d eat as soon as Connor returned. That shouldn’t take long. Then she could be on her way home by eight. That definitely wasn’t too late. If she wasn’t distracted, she could make this work, but things had to be cut. Certain things couldn’t be.
I need coffee.
