I stared up at him through watery eyes. “Are you always this much of a bleeding heart?”
He grinned. “Pretty much.”
“I kind of like it,” I admitted.
“Good. Just don’t tell anyone. I’ve worked to maintain a standoffish image.”
“Secret’s safe with me,” I said.
He kissed me quickly and headed back to the kitchen. “You promised to sing for me, so that’s gonna happen tomorrow.”
“We agreed on a duet situation, here,” I reminded him. “Deal breaker for me, buddy.”
“Okay, Rufus, but not until tomorrow,” he said, handing me a glass of wine.
I smiled and took a long sip.
* * *
Isat up with a start, a little disoriented and unclear as to where I was. Then I remembered. I’d gone to bed alone. Because I’d said I wanted to go to bed alone. But now, I was sitting in the dark, my heart racing, and I no longer wanted to be alone.
I tiptoed out of the bedroom and down the short hall into the living room. Jaxon was sound asleep on the sofa, the blanket at his waist, his bare chest on display and I seriously wanted to lick every inch of it.
He shifted and I suddenly found his eyes on me. “You okay?” I shook my head and he sat up. “What’s wrong?”
I bit my lip. “Bad dream.”
Pushing the blankets off, he stood, and made his way to me. “Come on.”
He took my hand and led me back to bed, climbing in beside me, and pulling me close. I slid my hand across his stomach and snuggled close.
“Do you remember your dream?” he asked.
“No. Just the terror.”
“I hate that,” he said, scrubbing a hand down his face.
“I’m sorry I shut you out.”
“Don’t be sorry.”
“Well, it’s hard for me not to be.”
He ran his fingers up my back. “Yeah?”
“Can I confess something? Partly because I’m punch drunk tired, but mostly because I trust you more than anyone I’ve ever known?”
He chuckled. “Yeah, baby, confess away.”
“I guess I already confessed it. I feel like we’ve had twenty-five years of trust built up in a matter of days. Is that weird?”
“Yes, I guess in theory. But I feel the same way about you.”
“Is this transference?” I asked.
Jaxon chuckled. “Possibly.” He rolled me so he hovered over me and stroked my cheek. “You willing to stick around for a bit once all this shit’s over and get to know me in a real world setting?”
“Yes.”
