Caroline

The room is dark when I wake up, with a small beacon of light at the far end. Pushing myself up on my elbows, I pat the nightstand until I find the light switch for the lamp and flick it on.

“You’re up.” The beacon of light was Daniel’s phone. He’s sitting in the armchair at the foot of the bed, watching me with a smile. My backpack is on the floor next to him.

“Yeah.” My voice is rough, the inside of my mouth gummy. “What time is it?”

“A little past ten.”

“Wow, I slept the entire day?”

“You woke up in between but fell right back asleep.” Something in his stiff position clues me in that he’s been sitting for a long while.

“Have you... were you here the entire time?”

“Yeah. I was afraid you’d get worse.”

And cue the swooning.

“But your activity this evening—”

“Marcel and Honor took care of it, don’t worry about it. You’re more important.”

Oh! I’m not equipped to deal with this level of swooning right after getting up.

“The kids and Karla—”

“Left for San Francisco this afternoon on the bus. The hotel has a shuttle service. I can arrange that for you. I’d drive you myself, but I’m staying here tonight. I’ve got another group here tomorrow.”

I nod, still feeling out of sorts. “I need a shower first. Some food would also be good.”

“You can order room service.”

“Did you have dinner?” I ask. If he’s been here the entire time, I guess he didn’t.

“No.”

I swallow, grabbing the menu for room service from the nightstand, perusing it. Usually, purely as a defense mechanism, I would avoid being alone for too long with Daniel. That goes double considering we’re in a hotel room. Also, I have a feeling I said some things I shouldn’t have before falling asleep.

But the man carried me to my room and forfeited his day and clients for me, so the least I can do is buy him dinner. As soon as I shower, I’ll be perfectly equipped to deal with his charm.

“What do you want?” I ask.

“Do they have pizza?”

“They do. Capricciosa?”

“Yeah.” I can practically hear the smile in his voice. I still remember his favorite. Without glancing his way, I dial room service, ordering pizza for both of us.

“How are you feeling?” Daniel asks after I hang up.

“Perfect. Can’t believe I was so stupid, not paying attention to the food. I’m sorry you wasted your day on me, though. And I’ve rumpled your bed.”

“You always were a messy sleeper, hogging all the space.”

“The affliction got worse with age, I’m afraid.” I laugh nervously, racking my mind for another topic, and end up rambling about which whales the kids might have seen until there is a knock at the door. “Wow, that was fast.”

Several minutes later, Daniel and I are sitting at the edge of the bed, practically inhaling our food, even though it’s still so hot I can’t feel the roof of my mouth after the first few bites.

Daniel is apparently immune to the heat because he’s already finished his pizza and is currently rumbling through the minibar, returning with two cans of Coke. I immediately take a swig from mine, cooling my mouth, pizza slice still in one hand.

I barely swallow the cool liquid when Daniel takes a mouthful from my slice.

Setting my Coke on the floor, I point a warning finger at him. “You ate your own pizza. No stealing mine.”

“Or what?” Daniel fixes me with his dark eyes. His molten gaze is a little playful, a lot intense. I avert my gaze because I’ve never been able to think straight when he looked at me like that.

“I’ll cook up an appropriate revenge plan. Just as soon as I finish my pizza so you can’t use it as leverage.”

“Carried you all the way from the restaurant up here. I deserve at least one slice for the effort.”

I tap my chin, pretending to be thinking hard. All the while, my heart thumps erratically in my chest because Daniel’s moved so close to me that I can feel the warmth of his body.

“And you watched me for hours. You deserve a bonus. Another half slice.”

He laughs throatily, and every shaky breath of his lands on my cheekbone, that’s how close he is.

“I thought you’d put up more of a fight. It’s more fun stealing it.”

“Fine, suit yourself. You’re not getting anything.”

I half expect him to fight me for it. Instead, Daniel simply watches me. I focus on my food as heat rises to my cheeks, intensifying by the second. When I can’t bear it anymore, I chance a glance at him. Yep, he’s still watching me.

Drawing in a deep breath, I focus on the last slice. What on earth is wrong with me tonight? I seem to be even more responsive to all things Daniel than usual, and I can’t blame it on the lingering effects of Benadryl. I’m usually better at propping up my defenses... but how am I supposed to keep them in place when he’s been shooting holes in them the entire day? Truth be told, he shot the first hole when he told me he’s been stopping by to watch soccer games with Dad. It’s only been getting bigger since.

“I’m going to shower,” I announce once I swallow the last bit, rising from the bed.

“Sure. There are towels in the bathroom.”

The warm spray of the water is soothing, as is the ginger-scented shower gel, which I rub vigorously into my skin before washing it off. Perching one foot at the edge of the tub, I intend to hop off on the other side. Instead, the foot I’m standing on slides to one side.

“Aaaaargh.”

I collapse on the floor of the bathtub, my left leg and arm squished underneath me, but I narrowly manage to avoid bumping my head too. The door swings open the next second.

“Get out, I’m naked!” I exclaim at the same time Daniel asks, “What happened? Are you hurt?”

“I slipped. I’m fine. Get out.”

Except I’m not fine. When I try to push myself up, I discover my left leg hurts too much to be reliable, and I nearly collapse again. Daniel catches me midfall. Hooking an arm around my waist, he hoists me up against him. My entire body is shaking. After about ten seconds or so, I become aware that I’m wet, naked, and both my breasts are pressing against his chest. 

“I’m naked,” I repeat, not daring to look up at him.

“I’ve seen it all before.”

“You’re not helping,” I inform him on a groan.

“Can you stand on your foot?”

I test it out, shifting my weight onto it. It hurts less than before, but still enough for me to doubt its reliability. “I don’t think so.”

“Okay, up you go.” He makes a motion as if to lower himself and hoist me up, and panic flares inside me.

“Daniel, no! I mean, can you give me a towel first, please?”

Smiling, he reaches to the rack, still holding my hand firmly. When he hands me the towel, I wrap it around me as quickly as I can. Daniel makes no effort to look away the entire time, his gaze not just appraising but downright hungry. Despite the mortification and the throbbing leg, pride surges inside me, because... priorities. Unable to help myself, I drink him in too. I soaked the front of his shirt, so the sinewy lines and ridges of his abdomen are clearly visible. Good God, his six-pack is as delicious as ever, not to mention the V-shaped dents leading down to his jeans. Biting down on my lips, I raise my gaze, which crisscrosses with Daniel’s. Heat jolts through me, and an undercurrent of awareness passes between us.

Wordlessly, Daniel picks me up, carrying me to the bedroom. How did I end up in his arms for the second time today? After breakfast, I was too sick to take it all in, but now... oh my, am I making up for that.

Every nerve ending where my bare skin presses against Daniel is perking up. The bits covered by the towel aren’t faring much better. A light shudder passes through me when Daniel lays me on the bed. To my dismay, he sits on the edge, pulling my left ankle in his lap, inspecting it.

“Does it hurt?”

“No.” I flex it a little, testing it out. “Definitely no sprain, but I’m going to have bruises tomorrow all over my left side. I think you bring me bad luck. I seem to have all sorts of accidents when I’m around you. First I nearly sprained my ankle at Blake and Clara’s wedding, and today—”

“You scared ten years off my life today.” Daniel shakes his head, putting my foot back on the mattress.

He’s frowning as he shifts his weight until he sits right next to my hips. I don’t like that frown one bit, but then I remember Daniel isn’t mine to make happy. Still, I can lighten up the situation.

“Hmm, now that you mention it, I can see two white hairs. Weren’t there before. Must have sprouted while I was asleep.”

Reaching out, I’m aiming to touch a random spot on his scalp, but somehow end up running my hand through his hair. Damn it, he’s not mine to touch. Why do I keep forgetting this?

My heart thumps wildly when I realize Daniel’s leaning into my hand as if... as if he’s been yearning for my touch as much as I’ve yearned for his. Has he missed me just as much?

I barely formulate the thought when he grabs my hand, kissing the inside of my wrist. I feel the contact reverberate through my entire body until my center is on fire. Goose bumps erupt everywhere on my skin, and I have no way to hide them. Daniel’s pupils dilate. I’m not the only one who is aroused.

“You look even more beautiful than I remember, Caroline.”

I shake my head. “I’ve put on weight.”

“You’re perfect. You’re—”

Daniel doesn’t finish the sentence. Instead, he leans over, sealing his lips against mine. Oh God, his lips. They’re so warm and feel so, so good against mine that I fist his shirt without thinking, pulling him even closer, scooting over to one side, making space for him.