iron balcony.
“Only a ninja can scale that,” I said, watching him in bemusement.
“Looks clear,” he said, stumbling over his feet as he walked toward me.
“Dax. You’re exhausted. Please, sit down.” I pointed at a chair. “Why don’t I get some coffee sent up for you before you head back?”
“No, that’s okay. I didn’t drive. I took a cab right after you.”
“Well, I’m pooped.” I set my clutch down, kicked my shoes off, plodded over to the bed and fell backward right in the center of the plush duvet. Rose petals the maid had placed there flew in the air.
I lifted my arms above my head and stretched. My eyes closed. “I never thought I’d say this, but I’m glad to be in this big bed tonight even if it is without getting laid. Although the night is still young.” I giggled, opening my eyes and winking at him.
I meant it as a joke, of course, but his face darkened and I immediately stiffened.
The room stilled, filling with tension.
I sat up and pulled my shirt down.
His eyes landed on my lips. Bounced away. Came back.
He raked his hand through his hair and it fell back into a perfect tousled mess. “Um, I need to head home.”
He turned to go.
“Wait.”
What are you doing, Remi?
I stood up, suddenly breathless, and met his intense gaze. He was beautiful—even tired. My eyes went over him, taking in the steely eyes, the tension in his broad shoulders, the way his hands were clenched at his side—the obvious bulge in his jeans. Oh.
I swallowed and nudged at the comfy chair and ottoman in the corner of the room next to the window. “Do—do you want to sleep here?”
“No.”
My arms crossed and I forced out a laugh. “Don’t be silly. Stay, I insist. We can have coffee in the morning and talk. Here, let me grab some extra blankets and a pillow from the closet. I saw them earlier when I was unpacking.” I brushed past him, but he grabbed my hand, causing me to come to a halt.
“No, Remi.”
“Yes, Dax. It’s what friends do. We help each other out.”
“It’s not a good idea.” His voice had grown husky and he hadn’t let go of my hand.
“Why not?” My thumb was stroking his palm as if directed by a part of my brain I had no control over.
“Because if I stay in this room with you, it’s going to be in that bed, and we aren’t sleeping.” His eyes searched my face, lingering on my mouth.
“Why—why do you always stare at my lips?”
His eyes darkened.
“Dax?”
He sent me a hooded look. “Because I want them on my mouth, kissing me. On my skin, sucking me. Everywhere.” His thumb brushed across my bottom lip, gently tugging it down.
I shuddered, quivering from the picture he painted.
He dropped his hand and exhaled deeply. “We agreed to be friends, but when you stand this close, all I can think about is stripping you out of that shirt, pushing you down on that bed, and screwing you until you moan my name a hundred times before noon.”
“Only a hundred?” I said.
Stop it, Remi!
His lashes dropped. “You’re in dangerous territory, Remi. Tread carefully . . .”
“Just . . . let me touch you. That’s all.” I reached my hand out and rested it on his heart, feeling the rise and fall of his chest.
We stared at each other, and a million what ifs raced through my head.
What if we had sex? Would it ruin our fragile friendship?
What if he immediately moved on to some sorority girl this fall? Would I fall into that pit of despair I’d been in three years ago?
What if I let go of the past and just did what my body was screaming for?
You’d have one hell of an orgasm tonight.
His eyes narrowed, a muscle jerking in his cheek. “I can’t handle this. I’m barely hanging on here.”
“Me too.”
He lowered his head until his mouth was an inch from mine. “Forget friendship. I want to fuck you.”
His words banged around in my head.
My tongue darted out to wet my lips. “Hartford . . .” I stopped abruptly at the anger flaring in his eyes. God. I hadn’t meant to say his name. He hadn’t even been on my mind.
“Exactly.” He let go of my hand, a pulse beating at his temple. “Goodnight, friend.” He sent me a final look and turned and walked out the door.
I WOKE UP at one in the afternoon to the smell of bacon frying and the