Chapter 13
Josh tiptoed across the bedroom, then eased himself into the chair in the corner and stared at the blond beauty sleeping in his bed. The sheet and comforter twisted around her body. The crinkles of worry on Delaney’s forehead hadn’t disappeared, though she’d relaxed into slumber the moment he tucked her in. After the week she’d had, she needed the rest.
She rolled to her back with a sigh and a sweet moan.
He loved her. No doubt in his mind, and he didn’t question it. He believed she loved him, too, though she’d been pushing him away ever since they left the cabin.
“Josh,” she whispered. “Please, can you… Josh.”
“I’m right here.” Quickly, he moved to the bed. All night long, he’d contemplated wrapping his arms around her, feeling her warm body next his, but he hadn’t wanted to disturb her. “You okay?”
“What?” She turned her head, brushing the hair from her face. “What time is it?”
“Five in the morning.” He fluffed a pillow and leaned back. He wanted to slip under the covers and make love to her, over and over again.
“Have you slept at all?” she asked.
“Some,” he admitted.
“Please don’t tell me you slept in the chair all night.”
“Okay, I won’t.” He kissed her nose. “Do you want me to make coffee?”
She laughed. “God, no. I’ll wait for the restaurant to open, thank you very much.”
“What did you want me to do?”
“When?”
“Just now. You were about to ask me something.”
She scrunched her face as she got herself in an upright position. “I was sleeping until you woke me up just now. I didn’t ask you anything.”
“So, you were dreaming about me.” The idea he’d entered her subconscious gave him a jolt of sorely needed confidence.
“Maybe.”
The bathroom lights seeped into the room, catching her blue eyes, which sparkled. “So, are you going to tell me the dream, since I was the star of it?”
“I don’t remember it.” Her face flushed a rosy pink, just like her plump, kissable lips.
He traced his thumb across her still swollen and bruised cheek, wishing he could have prevented it somehow. “You’re blushing, so I think maybe you do.”
“It’s warm in here.”
“I’d say it’s hot, but that’s because you’re in the room.”
She smiled. “You really do have a way with words.”
“What words can I say so you’ll tell me the dream?”
“It’s a little embarrassing,” she said softly.
“How so?”
She covered her eyes with her arm. “It might have had something to do with stuff we did in this bed.”
“Oh,” he said. His body sent his brain all sorts of wonderful and intoxicating messages. “It was a sex dream.”
“You could say that.”
He gripped her wrist and pulled her arm away from her beautiful face. “Was it good? Was I good?”
She blinked open her eyes. “You could say that.”
“What did you want me to do?” He inched closer, running his finger tentatively across the exposed skin between her neck and breasts. “In your dream.”
“I think I’m going to keep that to myself, for now.”
“As long as I know I performed well, that’s fine,” he said.
Her smile made his heart race. She had to be the most perfect woman in the world.
“You know, we never got to finish our talk after everything went down at Jake’s cabin.” When Josh looked at her now, all he saw was a sweet, kind, loving woman who would put herself on the line for those she loved, and she proved it the moment she pulled a gun on her own brother.
“What talk was that?” she asked.
“About us.”
She frowned. “I don’t see how there is an ‘us,’” she said. “You’re up here, and I’m in New York City.”
“That’s not going to make it easy, but I’m willing to give it a try.”
“A long-distance relationship?”
“Yes,” he said. She opened her mouth, but he pressed his forefinger against her lips before she could say anything. “I know we’ve only known each other a short while, but I care about you. I can’t explain it, but I won’t deny it, either.” He arched a brow. “Tell me you’ll give it a try.”
“I need some time to sort things out. I don’t know what’s real or isn’t real.”
“This is real.” He pulled her against his chest, wrapping his arms tight around her mid-section. He pressed his mouth against hers, swirling his hot, tender tongue in a sloppy, out-of-control kiss. The kind of kiss great love stories were written about. She didn’t hold back either, demanding more of him.
He stroked her silky hair. “Be my girl.”
“I’m not anyone’s possession.”
“You know that’s not how I mean it,” he said, letting out a huff. “Come on, babe. What do you say?”
“You’re so cute when you beg.” She cupped his face. “This entire thing is crazy. My head is spinning, between what happened at the cabin and what’s happening between us, which is moving too fast. I need to slow down.”
He wrapped his fingers around her wrist, kissed her palm, then removed her hand. He understood exactly what she felt because the same battle raged in his mind. “The distance will force us to slow this down. It will give us both some space, and we can spend time getting to know one another better.”
“You left the city because you hated it there.”
“I didn’t know you then.”
“Good line.”
“That wasn’t a line. We’ll figure it out as we go,” he said. No way would he let her push him away now. “It’s less than four hours, and I go there often to visit my parents’ grave. You can come up here anytime you want, as often as you want.” He fanned his thumb across her bruised cheek.
“Okay, but we start over,” she said. “I want you to bring me flowers. Take me on dates. Of course, I’ll expect them to top the first few we had.”
“I’ve got some ideas up my sleeve,” he said, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear. “Does starting over mean I can’t do this?” He tucked his hand under her shirt, easing his way up to the swell of her breast.
She smiled. “If you ask nicely, maybe.”
“What about this?” He rolled on top of her, settling between her legs, letting her feel his intention.
“I would not call this taking things slow.”
“Understood. I’m a patient man.”
As he lifted his body from hers, she wrapped her arms and legs tightly around his body. She smiled. “It’s normal for people who date to have sex.”
“If that’s what you want.”
“That’s what your girl wants.”