Page 25 of One Night Only

I chuckle, pull away from her hand, and walk to the bathroom.

This girl’s got me spinning in place, dizzy with joy, and my brain needs to catch up to all the dangerous plans my heart’s making.

Chapter Thirteen

Ethan

When I returnto the bedroom after a long hot shower, Ani’s fast asleep.

Lying on her side, the covers twisted around her bare limbs. With long lashes sweeping shadows onto her cheeks, she looks even younger than twenty-three.

One smooth thigh and the taut curve of her ass gleam invitingly against the pristine white of the sheets. I love that she didn’t put the boxer shorts back on. That she fell asleep waiting for me. And that she shows a trust in me I want to hold on to forever.

She looks like she belongs there, on my bed. In my life. And falling apart on my tongue. At my lips. There’s something incredibly fragile about her, especially in sleep. Even as she protests that she isn’t.

A shiver moves through me as I consider all the ramifications of what I’m doing. And how I want this to play out.

The shower only increased my sudden restlessness, as if the storm outside is feeding it directly into my veins. I could havetaken myself in hand and relieved some of the mounting tension, but I’m sick of doing that. It feels like… cheating on her now that she’s in my life. When she’s made it clear that she wants all that I have to give her tonight.

Twisted, yes? But apparently, the heart wants what it wants.

I want to chase that release with her, even though I denied it when she offered.

Contrary, controlling Dr. Cross,she would say if she could hear my thoughts. And then steal another kiss from me.

The more her fervor grew earlier, the more I started retreating. Because I figured out what she’s trying to do.

She’s packing a lifetime’s worth of kisses and caresses into one night. She plans to walk away from this tomorrow morning. Thinks we can. She’s young, so I’ll forgive her.

UW nursing school…every time I think of those words, relief floods me. My brain itches for a cigarette.

But I don’t want to leave her alone. I don’t want her to wake up in a strange bed in a strange hotel suite. And a cigarette will not help me rationalize this away.

The fucking universe is giving me a fucking sign. When I kissed her that first time, I knew I wanted more than just the night. That I wanted more. But not the shape of it exactly.

But this…

She’s starting nursing school in my hometown. For the past year, I’ve been considering positions at the same university hospital, with a focus on teaching. That was the reason I made this trip to Portland: to discuss moving back to Seattle with Mom and persuade her to move in with me now that Aunt Marion is gone.

Now, this girl, who has filled the hollow spaces inside me with light, warmth, and desire, is telling me she’s going to be at the same university?

What is this, if not fate? Why else would everything fall into place like this?

My heart pounds so hard in my chest that I press a hand to it and laugh.

“Dr. Cross?” a husky voice calls from the bed.

I turn to find Annika kicking the tangled sheets. Her fingers grip the edge of the duvet, eyes puffy with sleep and faint shadows beneath. “Why are you doing that villainous laugh?”

Her suspicious expression sets me off into more laughter. Even to my ears, the sound is skating the edge of hysteria.

This girl and what she does to me… fresh desire buzzes like raw electricity through me. “I was making elaborate plans to kidnap you. Since I don’t have a mustache to twirl, I decided on the laugh.”

Her lush mouth slowly curves, gaze lingering on my bare chest. “You look happy, Dr. Cross. Are you?”

There’s that tender desperation she tries so hard to bury. She’s clearly eager to believe she contributed to it but won’t come out and ask it.

My laughter tapers off, and I rub my hand over my face. If she won’t ask me straight out, then I can’t answer. It’s not mind games. The stakes are just too high now. “I’m sorry for waking you up.”

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