Chapter 5
Bailey tried not tosqueeze Duke’s hand as he led the way to his home.He released her to open the front door.He held the overnight bag she’d nervously packed.When he’d picked her up for her date earlier, he’d spotted her holding the bag but hadn’t made any mention of it.Instead, he took it, kissed her in greeting then guided her to his truck.
They’d just made it back from the diner having dinner.Another major step in their relationship.It was the first date that they’d had in town.Before now, her fear had been other people scrutinizing her and putting her under the microscope that they had for as long as she could remember.So they’d always gone a town or three over for their dates.
But after he’d shared his story with her last week it gave her the comfort level to be seen with him in a town that was well aware of the fact that they were dating.
Duke had seemed to know just how important of a step this was for her because he’d huddled close to her.But there hadn’t been any rude comments or uncomfortable stares.Halfway during dinner she’d finally relaxed.
But it hadn’t been until they’d been walking down the main street hand-in-hand while they enjoyed ice cream cones that she realized things had changed and she was ready for the next step in their relationship.
Still, as she stepped over the threshold to enter his home, it didn’t mean that she wasn’t anxious.Duke seemed to notice it.
After he closed the door, he turned to face her.
“I’m going to put your bag in the guest bedroom.My invite for you to stay the night was not meant to pressure you for sex.It was so I wouldn’t worry about you being on a country road late at night by yourself.”
She placed a hand on his chest.Right on top of the spot where she knew the scar was.
“I’m ready,” she stated softly.
He studied her silently for several minutes before grabbing her hand.She followed him silently down the hallway not stopping until they stepped inside his room.It was apparent that it was his because it had a masculine feel and it smelled like it.
There was more space than she’d expected, even with the large bed dominating it.She tried not to stare at it for too long, instead, taking in the rest of the items in the room.
“Do you need anything from your bag?”he asked.
She shook her head.“No.Not right now.”
He carried it over to an oversized chair sitting near a large window.The blinds were closed but she knew that in the daytime, it was probably a perfect spot to sit and read or to just sit and relax.
“Are you sure about this?”Duke asked as he moved closer to her.
“Yes,” she replied and she stepped toward him.
Hoping that despite her nervousness it would be a sign that she didn’t plan to change her mind.She wanted this even as blood pounded in her ears and her heart thudded heavily against her ribs.
“I didn’t realize how much I was looking forward to this moment until now,” Duke continued.His scorching gaze travelled over her leisurely and she quivered in response.
“You are perfect in so many ways,” he mumbled and reached out to brush a strand of hair out of her face.“The wicked things you make me want to do you don’t matter.”
“There are things that I want to do to you, too,” she admitted, gasping as his fingertips stroked her cheek.Lightning bolts of heat raced through her body.“Lots,” she murmured.
“I can’t wait to see what they are,” he stated quietly.
“Taking our time.”She tilted her head back to keep her gaze up at him.“Right?”
“Yes.We go as slow as you need to.”
