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“You okay?” He looked serious now.
She did manage to smile. “Yes. Call of nature, though.”
“Then don’t let me hold you up.” He pressed his lips to her forehead and moved back some, so she could scramble out of bed.
When she was in the master bathroom, she leaned with her back against the door, trying to catch her breath. She was okay. This was okay. She could figure out what to do next.
Damn. Her head ached and her eyes burned. She didn’t regret last night. It was wonderful.But what happens next?
She took her time, deciding to shower instead of going back into the bedroom and facing Ace.
Chicken.
After the temperature was comfortable enough, she stepped beneath the spray and let the warm water flow down her face and body. It helped to ease the tension that had been building since she’d woken.
When she finished and she was dried off, she wrapped a towel around herself and walked into her bedroom. Ace wasn’t there. Knowing him, he was probably making breakfast.
She blew out her breath. Good. She had a little more time to herself.
When Charlee had pulled herself together, she put her hair back in a ponytail and headed to the kitchen. Sure enough, Ace had breakfast going. It looked like steel-cut oatmeal, and he had brown sugar, raisins, and walnuts out on the counter, along with the container of cream she’d brought for coffee.
“Your coffee smells so good.” She offered Ace a bright smile. “And the oatmeal—one of my favorites, especially with all that extra good stuff.”
“I found the raisins and walnuts in the freezer.” He stirred the oatmeal. “Good place for them since there’s probably some time in between visits for you.”
“Yeah.” Charlee grabbed a mug out of the cabinet and started her coffee with the Keurig, her back to Ace. “I try to come up often, but I never know if something is going to keep me away for awhile.”
When she turned around, he stood in front of her. He cupped the side of her face. “Everything okay with you?”
She hesitated before she nodded. “I’m fine.”
He brushed his lips over hers and she caught her breath. “I just want to make sure we’re good.”
Her heart beat faster. Having him so near turned her brain to mush. She wanted what they had last night, but she was so afraid—
There you had it. Fear.I’m afraid.
“I’m fine,” she repeated and gave him a small smile. “And now I’m hungry.”
He smiled and ran his thumb over her cheek, sending a shiver through her. “I can help you with that.”
When they were seated at the breakfast bar and starting in on their oatmeal, Ace said, “I think we can leave today.”
Charlee held her spoon halfway to her mouth. “Really?”
“Don’t look so excited.” He gave her a teasing smile. “That means no more bets. Well, at least for now.”
A measure of relief slid through her like a breath of wind. Once they got back to Prescott she’d have some time to think more clearly, without this man nearby, a man who was driving her crazy.
Sunlight streamedthrough the windows and the world outside looked fresh and new. Ace found himself both eager to get back to his ranch and disappointed his stay with Charlee would soon be over.
He fully intended to see her as often as possible once they were back in the real world.
Ace joined Charlee in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows and looked out at the snow-covered trees and the white mounds with bushes somewhere beneath. He lightly stroked her spine over her soft white sweater.
He met her gaze. “It’s going to take a while to dig out the driveway. But I do have chains for the truck tires.”
“Good.” Did she look relieved? Was she afraid of spending too much time with him, even after all they’d shared?
