Page 68 of Nothing to Deny
Tipping her head back, her drowsy eyes met his. “I’ve dreamed about falling asleep in your arms… waking up with you every day.”
Wearing a smile, he hooked her hair away from her temple. “You know where I sleep, baby.”
She exhaled. “I don’t actually. I know where your bed is… Not where you are. I never know whose bed you’ll be in.”
“You know there’s only one bed I’d choose to be in,” he said. “I don’t say it… I haven’t said it… But I do appreciate that you’re… understanding.”
“That I don’t demand you give this up,” she said. “I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t thought about how much easier life would be if this wasn’t a part of it.”
“It won’t be,” he said. “Not forever.” Resting her head on his chest again, she sank into their embrace. “Want to get out of here? We can get caught up about Holly and Lyon whenever.”
Smiling, she stayed put. “You know you’re not getting laid. You’re being paid to be with me all night.”
“Until six a.m.,” he said. “Believe me, I’m counting the minutes.”
“How is your schedule this week?”
“Nothing tomorrow,” he said. “I have two clients Friday… and there are some maintenance jobs I’ll need to do before we leave.”
“And you have to pack,” she said. “Good thing you have tomorrow off.”
“Believe me, that was no accident,” he said, kissing the top of her head. “Come on, I’ll take you home.”
Breaking their embrace, he laced their fingers together to lead them the way of the elevator.
“I want dessert,” she said. Stopping to peer over his shoulder, he narrowed his eyes. She laughed. “Actual dessert, Hound… Take me out for coffee and cake.”
“What do I get?”
“The pleasure of my company,” she said, deliberately not mentioning that he was being paid to entertain her. Stepping in close, she pouted at him. “And I’ll let you cop a feel when you kiss me goodnight.”
“Sold,” he said, picking up her hand to kiss her knuckles. “I’ll go talk to Conrad. Wait here.”
Watching him go, she breathed out. This was complicated and messy and wonderful and frustrating. Whoa, boy…
TWENTY
SIX A.M.
Woken by pounding on her front door, it took a few seconds to register what was going on. Wait, what was going on?
After cake and more than one coffee, Baer brought her home. Okay, she remembered that. The all-night diner meant no impetus to say goodnight. She’d have stayed forever if Baer hadn’t declared they were leaving around three a.m.
Pounding. Right. The door.
Something may have happened to her grandfather or one of her foundation kids. She grabbed her robe and ran to the door, heart hammering.
She opened it and—was brought up short.
The man standing on her threshold, hands braced on each side of her doorframe, head drooped, was the same one she’d said goodnight to less than three hours ago.
Confusion instantly became fear. “Baer,” she said, overwhelmed by panic. “Oh my God, is it the boys? I’ll authorize whatever you need. Let me get dressed and—”
She started to turn, but he grabbed her arm, holding her there.
The strain on his expression came with no words, not for ten seconds, not for twenty, until…
“I have to… I have to know what it’s like.”
