“Of course, you would. The one time I thought I could be romantic, and I fail miserably.” His head falls but the grin stays glued to his cheeks.
“You’re being romantic?” My voice is delicate, but I know the answer. It’s been obvious from the moment I opened my door.
“I’m trying.”
I begin to walk until I find myself at the foot of the bed. Stone watches me, unsure what I’m doing. I sit down, and Stone follows my cue and sits next to me when I pat the mattress.
“Is it crazy that even though we only met for a few days that it feels as though every word we write is binding us more?” It’s a scary admission.
He swallows, and I notice the way his throat bobs. “You’re right. In truth, you have me upside down. I’m not used to being the one who wants to push forward and want something more than physical, it’s normally the other way around. But you don’t leave my mind, and I’m about to lose it.” His hand rests on top of mine on my lap.
“I’m not sure what to do, Stone. For once in the longest time, I want to open up, but it’s a lot of bricks to break down.” His thumb caresses my hand, and it’s soothing.
“Doesn’t matter. Just focus on now.” He sounds confident with his words, and I have no choice but to believe him.
The tranquil calm arrives again as the feeling of him nearly consumes me. My entire body is heightened in awareness that he is close.
“I didn’t pack the sandalwood oil, I forgot. Tell me how you plan on scaring my dreams away. I wish we could talk all night, but I’m so ridiculously exhausted.”
“What can I do?”
I glance to the pillows on my bed then swim back to Stone. “There are no Dizzy Duck Inn cookies here, but maybe I don’t need them to persuade you to lie with me for a while?” My voice rises slightly.
This is what I want. I wouldn’t be able to sleep knowing he was nearby, yet not close to me.
Stone observes the pillows then checks in with me to make sure, and he must see that I’m behind my suggestion 100%.
“How could I be so careless with what I’m doing?” He sounds serious, and my stomach drops, thinking this is the end of tonight. We’re both giving mixed signals, aren’t we? “I should have brought cookies on my journey here.” A smirk breaks out on his lips, and I grin as air escapes me.
We both fall back onto the bed, laughing.
But I stay true to my request and crawl up the bed to move the duvet and tuck myself in and prop my head on the fluffy pillow. Stone gets comfortable next to me, lying on his side to focus on me, with his fingers instantly weaving through my hair as I rest my head on my hands under my cheek.
“I’ll let myself out when you’re deeply asleep.”
I say nothing. Just sink into the bed, realizing that I’m sharing an intimate moment with someone and how it opens a door that I’ve had closed.
“I’m sorry I pushed you away. I left after the kiss and maybe even reiterated via email that we would be a bad idea. I’m not great at lying, so that all seemed like the answer. This is all new to me again,” I whisper.
“Shh, close your eyes, Harlow.”
I grip his shirt and slide an inch closer to him. My breath is warm as I lean in, and the heat of his body causes any thought in my head to blur because I’m attuned to my feelings. Taking the initiative, I brush my lips along the line of his jaw, feathering up to touch his lips with mine, before pressing gently to signal that he can give back what I desire. The tip of his tongue seeks entrance, which I give because I want it on my own. His fingers glide through my hair, as he is the one to possess me. I’m not sure this man would ever let me take the reins in this moment, and I don’t mind one little bit.
My murmur is more sensual than perhaps I intend, but it comes naturally. It’s a shame that air is a necessity, but when we part, our mouths stay as close as possible. “I didn’t kiss you hello,” I murmur against the corner of his mouth.
A hoarse sound from the back of his throat informs me that he approves of my move. “Well, hello then.” I feel his fingers caress the curve of my forehead, and he kisses the top of my head. “Sweet dreams, firefly,” he whispers. He’s called me that once or twice now, and I like it.
My heavy eyes begin to close as I nestle closer to his body. Maybe when he believes I’m asleep, he begins to stir. But I’m not sleeping, and I reach out to grip his wrist.
“Stay. Just lie with me tonight. You don’t need to go,” I request.
Stone’s eyes are set on my hand, but only a second later, he responds by getting comfortable again. He brings my body closer to him and his arm tighter around my middle.
“Night, Harlow. I’ll be better than sandalwood oil, I promise.”
His whisper warms my heart.
If anyone can scare my bad dreams away, then I’m beginning to believe it might be him.
