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I bit back a smart comment because he seemed genuine and placed my hand in his. He led me through the penthouse to the bedroom, where a fire burned in a fireplace. One wall had floor-to-ceiling windows. The moon reflected off the surface of the water.
“I wanted to show you the view.”
“It’s gorgeous. I’ve read that it’s better for your health to be near the water every day.”
“I can attest to that,” Silas said as he drew down the covers and lay down. Then he patted the bed next to him. “Lie down.”
I sat stiffly on the bed, noting my dress, shoes, and purse resting neatly on a chair by the door. Would it be awkward to leave now? Or should I sneak out in the middle of the night?
“Please,” Silas said, and I couldn’t deny him or the draw of the bed. I lay down next to him, and Silas rolled so that he was propped up on one elbow. “I can’t believe you’re here.”
“I can’t either.”
“You look perfect in my bed. Like you were always meant to be here.”
My skin heated. “Do you know how ridiculous you sound?”
“Shhh. Let me.” He leaned down and touched his lips to mine, kissing me softly, his hand resting on my thigh.
Just as the threads of desire wrapped around me again, he withdrew. “Get some rest. You must be tired after your day of sleuthing.”
My lips twitched as he settled next to me, his arm banded around my waist. I turned to face the windows, and Silas adjusted, spooning me. I should have pulled away. I should have gotten dressed and left.
The moment was too good for me to leave just yet. I closed my eyes, intending to get up soon, but drifted off.
When I woke later, Silas had rolled away from me, and the moon illuminated the room. Now was my chance. Silas was asleep and couldn’t ask me to stay.
I couldn’t stop thinking about how I hadn’t used a condom with a man I shouldn’t trust.
Was he getting close to me on purpose so that he could gather useful information to build a better business? Would he steal another vendor? My mind was racing with the possibilities.
I needed to be in my house. I needed to be alone. I’d let too many pieces of myself go today, first in that closet, on that balcony, and then in Silas’s bed. Being with him was dangerous for my heart and my business.
I needed to be smart about this. There was no future with Silas Sharpe. Even if it was possible, my family would never accept him. My brothers trusted him as a friend but not with their sister.
I quickly put on my clothes, being quiet so I wouldn’t wake Silas, and then I tiptoed out of the suite, shutting the door quietly behind me. I didn’t want to chance him coming to see me in my room, so I headed toward my car.
My home was my safe place. I never let a man sleep overnight. It felt too intimate. But to be fair, it felt that way in Silas’s bed as well.
When I finally parked in front of my house, I wondered if I was running from Silas or from myself. I didn’t think I’d be able to sleep, so I showered, removing any trace of Silas from my body. I allowed myself a few minutes to remember how it felt to be with him, and then I pushed it down deep.
There wouldn’t be a repeat. I got dressed, not sure what to do with Silas’s clothes, but in the end, I threw them in the hamper. I’d have to get them back to him or throw them out. I couldn’t keep them. I didn’t want any memory of our night together.
But those thoughts felt like a lie because I’d never felt like that with anyone else. Not wanting to examine that too closely, I started the coffeepot and sat at my small table to drink my first cup of the day.
The sun was just rising, and I couldn’t help but think what the view would have been like over the water from Silas’s bedroom.
Had he already woken up and noticed I was gone? Should I have left a note?
I dismissed the idea because I didn’t want to give Silas the impression we were a thing or that we had any potential.
My phone buzzed when I was well into my second cup.
Unknown:
Running?
I didn’t have Silas’s phone number. How had he gotten mine? There was no way it was anyone other than him.
