“Tomorrow, we’re going back up there. To the top of the lighthouse. Wehaveto,” she said, when she felt him ready to protest. “We haven’t been up there since that first night.”
“All right,” he said, fitting the key to the lock.
They curled up on the sofa in the living room, which had been cleared of what was left of his lab equipment, and, at her insistence, streamed a few episodes ofThe Big Bang Theoryvia his Wi-Fi hub.
“We need something light and airy,” she said.
He seemed to understand that she was apprehensive, and instead of making any seductive moves—which, she allowed, wouldn’t have been rebuffed by her—he just tucked her under his arm on the sofa and stroked her hair as they watched.
Eventually, she fell into a deep sleep, slumped on the couch until the nightly scream startled them both awake.
“Back on time,” she muttered, looking at the clock. “One thirty, on the nose. Bastard.”
And then, knowing she was safe, and feeling cherished, she followed him back to his bedroom to curl up on the bed next to him.
* * *
The next morning, Teddy woke first. Still fully clothed in the boxers and tee she’d put on for the television show, she had a moment of regret that that was the case. But last night would not have been the right time to act on her increasing attraction and affection for Oscar.
Having the ugliness and uncertainty hanging over them would have marred what she expected—anticipated—would be a delightful Mutually Enjoyable Night.
And she appreciated that Oscar seemed to sense that as well. That was, she realized, one of the reasons she was really falling for him.
Reallyfalling for him.
Like,fallingfalling for him.
The idea made her a little queasy, but in a hot, happy, electric sort of way. She hadn’t ever felt so comfortable, or so understood by anyone, ever.
He was just so cute. And smart. And kind. And very sexy, with his hair all rumpled and his face creased from sleep. The dark blue tee he wore clung to strong, square shoulders, and gapped a little to expose a bit of collarbone and the patch of hair that grew on his chest.
Looking down at the coppery stubble that had sprung up overnight along his jaw, she couldn’t resist leaning over to nibble his lips. And then to fully cover his mouth carefully, softly, with hers.
She felt his breathing change, the slight shift in his body when he awoke, and then he was kissing her back as one arm lazily slid around her to pull her up close against him.
“Mmm,” he said, burying his face in her hair. “You smell as good as you feel, lying here next to me.”
She rolled over on top of him, one leg sliding between his as she pulled his face back to hers. A curtain of her hair fell over their faces, and he gently brushed it away as his other hand slid down to cover her butt.
“You have,” he said, then kissed the corner of her mouth, “the sexiest rear end I’ve ever seen.” He gently patted it. “I’ve been dying to get my hands on it ever since the first time I saw you in the hot spring pool.”
“Well then, Dr. London,” she said, low in her throat, “what are you waiting for? Get your hands on it.”
He laughed against her mouth and slid both hands down to cover her butt as she arched down into him and his very awake erection. “Mmm,” she murmured. “Someone’s up.”
“I’ll say.” With a quick movement, he flipped them over, her hair and the blanket tangling them up awkwardly and a little painfully (on her end).
Teddy began to laugh as they tried to extricate themselves without pulling out her hair or falling off the bed, and they were just getting back to business when he froze and lifted his head as if to listen.
“No,” he said, falling back on the pillow and pulling her with him. “I refuse to hear that.”
But Teddy had heard the car drive up, and, laughing again, she pulled out of his gentle grip. “It might be Declan.”
“So? He’ll understand. He’s a guy.”
“Or the police,” she said, teasingly avoiding his reach. “It could be Joe Cap.”
“He’s a guy—he’ll understand too.” Oscar reached for her, but she danced away, noticing with pleasure how his eyes followed her.
