Still smiling, he looked unconcerned. Most high school boys are. And I was all boy. He went back to the sandwiches, adding cheese.
You really hadsexual dreams about me?
Hmm. He sucked his thumb again, closing his eyes, a fully sensual, passionate creature, enjoying every possible sensation. Good dreams, too, he murmured, his voice impossibly husky. Did I mention I had a great imagination? His gaze, scalding now, skimmed over her from head to toe, then slowly back again. And even in my wildest dreams, I never, ever, put you together as good as the reality.
He poured her a bowl of soup from the stove, loaded one sandwich on a plate, then dumped half a bag of potato chips on it. Enjoy, he said lightly, gently shoving her onto a bar stool at the counter.
He turned back to the cutting board and chopped up some turkey and cheese. Then he set it into a bowl and eyed Sadie. Watch my fingers, dog, he warned, putting it on the floor.
Sadie charged at the bowl, and Nick nearly fell over backward, trying to get out of the way.
Danielle would have laughed, excepthed fed her dog. Unprompted. Justfed her.
Holy smokes, he said, still staring at Sadie.
Sounds of Sadies chomping filled the air. Her tail beat the air as she swallowed everything in the bowl in two seconds flat.
She likes her food, she whispered through a clogged throat.
She was starving, he said, sounding horrified.
No, she always eats like that.
He continued to stare at her, carefully staying out of tail-wagging range, clearly realizing that it was a tail that could slice a man in two. Wow.
Danielle lifted her sandwich to her mouth, then nearly moaned at her first bite. She swallowed hard when he watched her, because there was just something about the way she received his entire, undivided attention that both unnerved and aroused her at the same time. Nick
Yeah?
Thank you.
He broke eye contact to get his own sandwich, and she took a good second look at him. And a third. Not because he was so beautiful he stole her breath-which he did-and not because she wanted him in a way that made her ache-though that was true, too-but because there was something
Being thanked made him uncomfortable.
Having wolfed down his sandwich, he held up the film canister. Im going to go get this started.
Yes, but-
I converted the third bathroom into a darkroom eons ago. Ill just be down the hall if you need me.
Nick-
Hold that thought.
He didnt want to be thanked. Well, fine. But then he needed to stop putting her in his debt. That wouldnt happen until she left.
Shed go back to being alone. Back to her bone-weariness and fear. Shed go, and as quickly as she could.
Shed go, mostly because an inexplicable part of her didnt want to.
WHEN NICK EMERGED from the darkroom, everything was silent. Far too silent for having a monster of a dog in the house. Curious, he walked through the living room to the kitchen.
Empty.
And clean, he noticed. Shed put everything away, including the bowl Sadie had used.
His deck was empty, too, and his heart picked up speed as he went back into the living room. If shed left-
Stopping in front of the couch that he hadnt even glanced at before, he let out a rough sigh, then squatted down to peer into Danielles face.
Her eyes were closed, of course, her lashes long and dark against her skin that was so pale it was nearly translucent. Her hair tumbled over shoulders that looked too thin and vulnerable to be carrying such troubles. In her sleep, she let out a soft sigh, a whimper really.
Shh, he whispered, and at the sound of his voice, she relaxed.
Shh, he whispered, and at the sound of his voice, she relaxed.
And just like that, his heart took a tumble. Almost on their own, his fingers lifted to scoop her hair from her face.
A low growl stopped him.
Yeah, yeah, he murmured, not even glancing at the dog who lay at his feet. I know. Shes yours.
Im no ones. Danielles eyes opened, though not another inch of her moved. I wasnt sleeping, she said defensively.
Of course not, he said easily, still sitting on his haunches, his face only inches from hers. Because that would be resting your body, which, by the way, needs it desperately.
Did you develop the film?
If I say yes, are you leaving?
I need to.
Uh-huh.
She sat up and pushed her hair from her face. That was a loaded uh-huh.
Was it?
With a youre not rested in it. With a you need a plan and an I dont think youre being smart about this whole thing added in.
He smiled, even though when she shifted, their knees brushed together. He could imagine her legs smooth and silky against his rougher ones. You sure heard a lot in that one uh-huh. He put his hand over hers. Stay tonight, Danielle. Sleep in my bed. Alone- he added when her eyes narrowed. Get the sleep you need, get some more food in your system and your brain will be so much clearer for it.
What about your date?
You heard me cancel it.
Yes. Imsorry about that.
Funny. He studied her even features. You dont look sorry. You look tired, and maybe a little out of sorts-
Gee, thanks-
But not sorry, not in the least.
Well, I wasnt jealous or anything. Her cute little nose thrust in the air high enough to give her a nosebleed. Your time is certainly your own.
Certainly. He bit back his grin and reached out, stroking a thumb over her arm, playing with the material of her shirt at the shoulder, then under, touching even more skin. Oh yeah, he liked her skin, and the way her breath hitched. He liked that very much.
You could be having much more fun right this minute, she said a little shakily. I bet shewould havewell.
Maybe I didnt want towell, he said, mocking her. Not with her.
Any man with blood in his body would have wanted to.
Not me. Stay, Danielle.
Her eyes locked on his, wide and searching. Ill still have to get out of town in the morning.
Yes. He surged to his feet, pulling her up with him. She staggered a bit, and because he was a male, and a weak one at that, his hands nudged her and she fell against him.
He held her close, and amazingly enough, she let him, even leaned on him, just for a moment.
Then she pulled free, ran a self-conscious hand down her hair and avoided his gaze.
Here. He took her down the hall and showed her the bathroom. Take a shower if youd like. She looked so grateful and anxious to do just that, it hurt to even look at her. Then He opened his bedroom door, wincing slightly because he hadnt made his bed or cleaned up his clothes from yesterday, which were scattered across the floor. Kicking as many as he could beneath the bed, he jerked up the sheet and blanket, and caught her smiling. What?
You really werent going to bring your date back here.
Of course not, he said. Muffy-Molly, damn it, Molly had offered her place. Not that it would have mattered. Hed never felt the need to change anything about himself or his house for others.
Though it didnt escape him that if hed known Danielle was going to be sleeping in his room, he definitely would have cleaned it.
Danielle laughed and, feeling a little left out as that laughter was clearly aimed at him, he put his hands on his hips and cocked a brow. Whats so funny now?
Its just that I pictured the two of you
Pictured us?
Her face went a little pink. Shes so pretty, you know, and wearing that dress, I thought youd-
Drag her back here and ravish her?
Yes. She shrugged and didnt meet his gaze. Yes. Exactly.
Shed pictured that? It must have been quite explicit, given the color on her cheeks. Still, Nick had to admit, there might have been plenty of ravishing going on, if Danielle hadnt come along.
But she had, and now he couldnt even imagine being with Molly tonight, which disturbed him.
Here. From his drawer, he pulled a pair of sweats and a T-shirt. If you need fresh clothes to sleep in.
She hugged the clothes to her chest and stared at him with those gray eyes that fifteen years ago he would have happily drowned in.
But he was older now. Wiser. She shouldnt have still gotten to him.
And yet she did, in a big way. Good night, he said gruffly, pushing past her.
But when he got to the door, she called his name.
Not wanting to look back, badly needing to escape, he put his hand on the wood and reluctantly stopped. Slowly he turned, catching her dark gaze. Yeah?
I dont want to take your bed. Please, Nick, the couch is more than fine.
She had the same look on her face that shed had at her prom. Surprise that he cared. Had so few people cared? It made his throat ache. Take the bed.
Nick-
Take the bed, he repeated, and shut the door.
Then he did as he did whenever he needed to clear his head; he went for a long, punishing run.
8
WHEN NICK GOT BACK, the house was quiet. His bedroom door was shut, and as there was no sign of the dog, he assumed Danielle had her, and that they were both asleep.
Good. He was hot and sweaty and pleasantly exhausted from his run. If he could grab a shower and fall asleep without kicking his brain into high drive, things would be even better.
He managed the shower part of the plan, and settled facedown on the couch. He made himself as comfortable as he could and closed his eyes.
Then, as if on cue, his thoughts started racing.
Danielle was in his bed. In his clothes. Was she curled into a little ball beneath his covers? Or was she sprawled out, taking up the entire bed?
He supposed as long as Sadie was on the floor, it didnt matter, but he couldnt dispel the images of Danielle in his sheets. Bare legs, maybe a creamy shoulder peeking out of his T-shirt. No bra, so her breasts would swing free with her every movement, the nipples hard and pouty, pressing against the material.
Oh yeah, that image would help him sleep. With a rough sigh, he flipped over and studied the ceiling. This was going to be one hell of a long night.
Nick? The woman of his dreams materialized at his side. I couldnt sleep, she whispered, then knelt by his shoulder.
As hed already discovered, the reality of her was far more potent than any fantasy. She indeed wore his sweats, but because they were big, the waist sagged low on her hips. Shed tied the T-shirt in a knot above her belly button, so there was a gap between the shirt and pants, leaving a good four inches of bare, silky skin.