Page 73 of Dandelion Sighs

Why did I have to negotiate? Why couldn’t she just fall into my arms? Her independence was biting me in the ass. “Damn right it is. I have more than three condoms at home too.”

“You need a lot there?” she asked lightly, but there was an insecurity in her eyes I didn’t like.

“I can’t exactly carry them all around in my wallet.” I deliberately and slowly dragged my gaze down her bare legs. “No matter how much we could burn through all of them.”

“You sure it’s okay?”

There was the opening, and I could pounce on it. Did I make the offer? Was it too soon? Or way, way too late? “Why don’t you stay there the whole time?”

Her eyes went wide. “Oh. I couldn’t.”

My butt hit the chair. Shit. I was both too late and too early trying to crack the door back open with her. “It makes sense.”

“People talk.”

I cocked my head. Did I hear her right? “You’re afraid that people are going to gossip after they’ve seen us out together? After they’ve probably noticed I’ve stayed at your place?”

“It’s not that.” Guilt filled her eyes. “I mean, it is. I went to the hardware store the other day, and Constance was there. She threw it in my face.”

“Fuck her.”

“I know.” She squeezed her eyes shut and opened them again. “I know. I’m just trying hard to be taken seriously, and being at least a little self-reliant will do that.”

She didn’t need to sleep in her office to be self-reliant, but I could understand it from her perspective. I pushed her food toward her. “It’s prime rib night.”

“You got us prime rib?”

Enjoying her surprise and the hungry glint in her eyes, I nodded. “So eat and think about how well you’d be able to run this place when you don’t have to sleep on the floor of your office.”

She pursed her lips and mock-glared at me. “You’re playing dirty.”

I might have to. She considered sleeping on a mat in her office over staying with me. She was stubborn enough to do it too. “You have to take care of yourself.”

“And you make sure I do.”

“Yes.” I slid the silverware over. “Now eat.”

When we were done, I cleaned up our containers and put them into the bag. “I can take that out with me when I go.” I stood by the nook to the bathroom. Did she want me to go now? I couldn’t suffocate her. “I should let you work.”

She wrung her hands together. Her tight nipples poked through her pajama top. “I’m really full right now, but maybe you could hang out for a bit?”

A sly smile spread across my lips. “What would we do?”

“I’d hate for that big box of condoms to go unused.”

A small struggle took place in my brain. She was keeping me in full messing-around territory, but staying at my house was too much. I was a fling. A friend with benefits. That chafed worse than blue jeans on a humid day. I didn’t want to turn her down, but how could I use this chance to get closer? To go beyond sex and see what developed?

“I’m yours as long as you need me.” As long as she wanted me.

“Let me finish some orders.”

She didn’t just want to jump me and kick me out. Maybe this wasn’t the uphill battle I worried it’d be. I swan-dove onto the bed, bounced once, and flipped over. Putting my hands behind my head, I grinned. “Want the weather on?”

Smiling, she got comfortable next to me and put the laptop on her legs. “Watch whatever you want.”

Since she was in work mode, I kept the TV on the weather channel to plan out my work. I relaxed into the bedding, listening to the forecast and the clack of her keys.

What would this be like to go home to? I’d sprawl on the couch. She’d be next to me, or on me, or even in the recliner, working away. Then I’d carry her to bed and strip her down and take my time with her. I’d show her with my body, with hers, everything I couldn’t yet say out loud.