“You never were a birdie. Always were an eagle in my book,” Daniel muttered, pausing, taking a slug of his drink and motioning for me to do the same.
I did as I was expected, the warm liquid soothing my soul but not quenching my desire.
For the second time, Daniel took both mugs, setting them on the coffee table before gathering me in his arms and kissing me harder. His mouth rained down passion on mine and I was a willing participant in the tornado of feelings swarming around us.
Red flags echoed in my brain and the swell of emotions swept them away.
I’d never trifled with my goals or life like I was in this moment, and I had no idea what that meant for me. But it was Daniel, so for some unknown reason I didn’t care.
We stood there in one another’s arms, kissing, making out like twentysomethings on a dance floor, until Daniel stopped abruptly.
“I’m going to say good night.”
A million scenarios filled my head, yet the words didn’t leave my throat.
“You didn’t do anything.” Daniel answered what I couldn’t bring myself to ask. “I am going to find the bedroom like I found everything I needed in the kitchen, and it’s not time for that yet, Birdie. I waited this long to steal you back. I’m not going to rush the thrill.”
Still speechless, I didn’t understand. He was leaving. Somewhere in my mind, I’d okayed a fling with this man…and I didn’t want to wait.
Except Daniel was taking my hand and walking me toward the door. “This has been the best New Year’s, one for the books. I’ll call you in the morning…or I should say, later today.”
He placed a lingering kiss on my cheek, and I realized I still hadn’t spoken. “Thank you…” I managed.
“No, thank you.” He opened the door and I realized he’d had a car waiting for him all night. He sauntered off into the night. As soon as he got to the last step of my brownstone, he turned and mouthed,Lock the door.
He waited until I listened, and I promptly slid to the floor of my foyer, my back to the wooden door, and wondered how the hell I found myself aching for more when I hadn’t even wanted the evening to take place.
Rourke marched over, sat down next to me and blew out a long breath before lying down next to me.
“I know. He’s a force. And now he came in, blew everything open, and left…”
Rourke didn’t answer, but I knew he agreed.
Wren
Like a lovesick fool, I slipped a silky hairband over my straightened locks, hoping it would keep them from curling or frizzing, after I slipped into my first-class seat. I couldn’t avoid closing my eyes for a beat, breathing deep, and trying to calm myself. This moment was overtaking me, my heart racing and my brain running at sixty miles an hour (an impossible feat, but I was accomplishing it).
Earlier this morning, when I’d walked into work with my slicked straight hair, Genie hadn’t been able to help herself, raising a lone eyebrow.
“Don’t, Regina,” I’d warned her.
“I didn’t do a thing,” she’d stated, looking back at her charts.
“I’ll cancel if you start,” I’d further threatened, thumbing through my phone, knowing I was lying.
“Oh, please. You wouldn’t cancel even if Smyth asked you to cover him tomorrow.” She spoke without looking up, but I couldsee her grinning by the smallest of small wrinkles outside her eyes.
“Did he? I could cover him. He probably only has a few surgeries scheduled.” I laced a tinge of hope in my voice, hoping I was convincing. Needing to cover for a partner was a valid excuse not to go this weekend—I should grab it while I could.
“No, he did not cancel. Off to Cali you go, ready to fall head over heels,” Genie said, looking up, this time with a smarmy smirk.
So, here I was, on my way to see Daniel Campbell in California. It had been close to a month since we shared a kiss, welcoming the new year with both hope and a fear I hadn’t held in decades. In fairness, I had tried to get the man out of my mind, but not even an exorcism would remove the memory of Daniel from my damn brain. I’d spent the better part of the month trying to purge him from my mind.
“Can I get you anything before we take off?” The airline attendant stopped by my seat, a bright smile across her face, dragging me from my self-loathing.
“Water?”
“Still or sparkling?”
