pensive. “Are you generally an open minded person?”
“Generally yes, but not when it comes to some things.”
“Meaning?”
“I’m not into anything kinky if that’s what you’re getting at.” I refused to look away this time.
He laughed. “Uh, that is not what I am getting at, but good information to know. Now that you have sufficiently destroyed my fantasies…”
“Wait, you aren’t into that, are you?” I didn’t actually care. Well, I shouldn’t have.
He shook his head. “No. Intimacy is all about a single partner for me.”
My body warmed hearing him use the word intimacy. I was losing it.
“But sex aside, you are open minded?”
“Yes.” At least I tried to be.
“Do you want to see where I am from?”
“How far a drive is it? Is it a cult? If the answer is yes, will anyone try to pull me into the cult?”
“We cannot drive there. Not a cult.”
“What do you mean we can’t drive there? Like it’s an island you take a boat to?”
“No…”
“Okay…”
“I have to make preparations if you want to go, so think about it tonight and when you are at work tomorrow. Then let me know.”
“Why do I get the sense you want me to go?”
“Because I do. I know you would like it there, and it would definitely make things more interesting for me.” His lips twisted into a smile. “But I have to fix that cradle first…”
“Wait, is Charlotte there?” The Calloways tied into all of this. They had to.
“She is.”
“It’s strange. I don’t know the girl, but I feel like I do.”
“She is older than you. Did you know that?”
“I assumed she was grown up. I guess I shouldn’t call her a girl.”
“You will like her.” He smiled slightly.
“You said will, not would.”
“You are going to come. I can tell.”
“How can you tell?” I finished off my wine.
“Because I can.”
“That doesn’t work.” I reluctantly slipped out from under the quilt.
“It works.”
“I’m going to bed.” I stuffed my hands into the large front pocket of my hoodie. Without the warmth from the quilt and James, I was cold again.
“Sleep well.”
“Need help with anything?” I wasn’t sure how well he knew the house anymore.
“I am going to stay out here a little longer.”
“What room are you sleeping in?”
“Why? You want to invite me to join you in yours?” He grinned.
“That had better be a joke.”
“Why?”
“Because… and I have my answer for you.” I took a deep breath. Might as well get it out there.
“Your answer?”
“I can’t go visit wherever you’re from.” I needed to do my own research first.
“Sleep on it. I don’t want your answer yet.”
“I already made up my mind, but that’s fine.” I picked up my empty glass. “Sweet dreams.”
“They will be. I know who will be in them too.”
“Me?” I asked in an uncharacteristically confident way.
“Yes.”
“Remember, no making it kinky.”
He laughed a sexy deep laugh. “You can dream about me in any way you want.”
“How generous.”
“I am very generous when I want to be.”
“And when you don’t want to be?”
“Then I am not.” He turned back to look at the fire.
I watched him for a minute as a shadow fell over his face. James was hiding something, probably way more than something, and I should have run for the hills. I should have taken Rachel up on her offer to let me sleep at her place, and I should have talked to the professor who set me up with the house sitting. Something wasn’t adding up, and I was dumb to ignore it.
I would research. I would figure out exactly who he was and where he was from. Maybe his secrets weren’t the bad kind. I had secrets too. Or maybe that was wishful thinking.
I forced myself to walk back inside.
I walked downstairs and filled a glass with water before walking up the two flights of stairs to my room. I peeked out at the large upstairs porch. James was still sitting by the fire. He looked so handsome sitting there that part of me wanted to join him again. I was drawn to him in a way I’d never been drawn to a guy before, and it both exhilarated and frightened me. I couldn’t give in to the attraction yet. Not until I knew more about him.
He must have sensed me watching, because he turned and smiled. I waved before walking back to my room. I checked the lock on the balcony door twice. I wasn’t afraid of James this time, but someone else. Someone else who wouldn’t turn out to be quite so