He doesn’t argue.Doesn’t push.Just accepts it.And for some reason, that makes it harder.
I stand, pulling my robe tighter around me.“Thank you,” I say again.“For tonight.”
He opens the door.“Lock it behind me.”
“I will.”
He steps outside.I watch him for a second.Then close the door and turn the lock.The click echoes louder than it should.I lean against the door for a moment.Breathing.Trying to settle everything swirling inside me.Then I turn off the lights and head to bed.
Sleep comes fast.Too fast.Going through everything with Roger and the adrenaline crash after, I shouldn’t be surprised.
Before I know it, I’m in a deep sleep.I’m dreaming.It’s the kind of sleep where I know I’m dreaming, but it feels real.
Too real.
I’m standing in my living room again.The lights are low.The air is warm.And Tucker is here.Closer than he’s ever been.His hand brushes my arm.Slow.
Intentional.
My breath catches.“Lucy,” he murmurs.The sound of my name in his voice sends a shiver down my spine.
“I shouldn’t—” I start.
But the words don’t finish.Because he’s closer now.Because my body is leaning toward him instead of away.Because his hand slides to my waist and pulls me in.
And then, his mouth is on mine.Lips to lips, bodies close.
The kiss is deep.
Slow at first.Then not.It’s passion and fire.Desire, need, want, and a weird sense of security in his arms have my entire body on fire.Heat blooms low in my stomach, spreading outward, making everything feel too tight, too intense.
My fingers curl into his shirt.I should stop.I know I should.But I don’t.The world narrows to just him.The way he touches me.The way he says my name again, softer this time.
And then everything blurs.
Movement.Breathless tension that builds and builds until I feel like I might go crazy if I don’t find a release.
I gasp.And wake up.
My body is tacky with sweat, my core clenched and unsatisfied.Sleep is hard to find again as I toss and turn, my mind and body both angry at the empty bed and cold sheets.
Morning light spills across my bedroom.My heart is racing.My body feels warm in a way that makes me immediately bury my face in the pillow.
“Oh my God.”I groan softly.
Why would I dream that?Of all people.Tucker.Sure, he’s attractive.
Very.
Annoyingly so.
But that doesn’t mean anything.I have enough complications in my life, he doesn’t get to be the next one.
I roll onto my back and stare at the ceiling.I do not need complications in my life.I definitely do not needthatkind of complication.Because my track record with men is, well complicated.I don’t choose men who make me a priority.I don’t choose men who give me safety and security.I choose men who take me on wild rides that I can’t get off of even when I fall apart.
I drag a hand over my face and sit up slowly.
It was just a dream.That’s all.Nothing more.
