“You don’t mind?”
“Dana.”
“Okay. In that case, I would love to see your bed. For sleeping purposes, of course.”
“Come on.”
She locked the screen on her laptop and shut the lid. He held out his hand and she took it.
Holding his hand was such a simple pleasure, his skin sliding against her own, and yet it brought her such joy. As their palms touched, Dana felt protected and cherished.
It made her greedy for more.
He led her down the hall and up a curving staircase. They didn’t speak on the way to his bedroom and she barely took note of her surroundings. She saw flashes of color and art hanging in the hallways, most of it in calming and neutral shades like the rest of the house, but she didn’t notice many details.
She was too concentrated on Alex, on the way he moved and the way he smelled. The more she got to know him, the harder her attraction was to fight. She just wanted to run her hands over his shoulders and down his back. She wanted to feel him inside her again, to watch his face as he came.
What would he look like next time? Would he grunt in ecstasy? Would he bite his lip? Would he close his eyes or maintain eye contact?
You need to stop dreaming about his O-face.
They turned a corner into another hallway and walked through an open double door. The first thing that greeted them was a king bed. She grinned upon seeing the grey color palette on the sheets and walls.
“Why are you making that face?”
She pointed out different objects around the room. “Grey, grey, black, navy, grey, grey, greyish brown. Hmm. I’m seeing a theme.”
“I like what I like.” He pulled aside the sheets for her and shifted his balance from one foot to the other. “So. These sheets were just changed. I’m sort of a fanatic about fresh sheets.”
Dana didn’t know how to respond. Alex was being charming and accommodating, almost awkward. He disarmed her. She’d had an easier time when he was intense and serious.
He opened one of the drawers in the closet, pulled out a couple of his t-shirts, and set them on the bed. “If you’re more comfortable wearing one of these, feel free. Or if you prefer staying in your clothes, that’s fine too.” He rubbed his chin. “I’m not trying to tell you what to wear to bed.”
“I know.”
He pointed to a closed door. “The bathroom is in there. Help yourself to anything you need. In the second drawer, you’ll find extra toothbrushes and toothpaste. There are towels stacked near the vanity. If you need to freshen up and have a shower, go ahead. Not that you’re not fresh, of course.”
She laughed. Okay, he needed to stop being so adorable or she was going to jump his bones.
He reached for her hand and played with her pinky finger. “I just want you to feel at home.”
“Thanks.”
He sighed and released her hand. “Anyway, I’ll be in the gym, working out. It’s down the hall from the kitchen, if you need to find me.”
“Don’t worry. I left bread crumbs.”
“Ha ha. Are you trying to say my house is too big?”
“I’m just kidding. It’s beautiful. Extremely large, but beautiful.”
“I guess it can feel a bit lonely when I’m here on my own. It’s a lot less lonely with you here.”
For a few moments, neither of them spoke. Tension throbbed so hard in her head she wondered if the room had a pulse.
“Well,” he finally said. “You get some rest. Take all the time you need.”
“I appreciate it.”
