Page 72 of Maximum Dare
“What are you doing today?” I asked.
This way I’d have a complete picture of her day. I’d be able to imagine where she was at any given moment. It would soothe the hurt a little, or so I told myself.
“I’m going to visit Covent Garden’s Quinto Bookshop,” she said brightly. “My aunt’s birthday is coming up soon. She collects old books. I always find her something special in there.”
“Sounds like fun.”Like heaven on earth.
“It’s a treasure trove for booklovers.” She beamed with happiness.
There’d be nothing more incredible than spending the day with her both in and out of bookshops. We could grab a bite to eat afterwards, and maybe, if she was up for it, see a show in the West End later in the evening. Ending up right back here in her bed and rolling between the sheets. Though the bed was cramped, what went on beneath the covers made up for it.
Of course, I could take her back to my hotel. We could order room service. We could shut out the world and never leave…
I’d flown thousands of miles to spend time with Nick, but as he was caught up with Morgan, I was guilt free. He’d kept me at arm’s length during this visit and I didn’t care, because my time had been spent hanging out with Daisy.
“What time are you heading out?” I said. “I can give you a lift to Covent Garden, if you like.”
“Thank you, but I’ll be fine,” she said. “How about you?”
“Well, I was supposed to be taking my mum to church.”
“Oh no! I’m sorry.”
“It’s all right. Anyway, she’s always trying to nudge me into the confessional. I’m a backsliding Catholic.” I laughed. “Whenever I approach a priest, I see terror in his eyes.”
“You’re not that bad, are you?”
“No, he just assumes I’m a bad boy because I’m thirty-three and not married. I’m half convinced that’s why my mother parades me around after the service to introduce me to potential…”
I’d said too much.
Daisy ’s hand rested on my forearm. “Whoever she is, she’ll be a very lucky young lady to have you.” She grinned. “I mean, you took me to church this morning. I’m a convert. Love isn’t so scary anymore.” She realized what she’d just said and closed her eyes in embarrassment.
Reaching up, I pushed a strand of hair out of her face and tucked it behind her ear, my hand lingering for a beat too long. In prolonging these intimate moments, I suppose I was trying to convince myself that being with her for the rest of my life was possible.
“I feel the same way, Daisy. I want you to know that.”
“Thank you again for last night,” she whispered. “For keeping me company in that old house.”
“It was my pleasure.”
“Might go back there tonight,” she said, grinning. “It’s a lucky place for me.”
“Even with that rat running around?”
“Nothing scares me anymore.”
“You don’t need to take on these dares, Daisy. You’re perfect the way you are.” My fingertips trailed up and down the silky skin of her arm.
She responded to my touch, her eyelids heavy, her breathing shallow.
I pushed up from the bed and strolled over to the chair.
Grinning, I whipped off the towel to reveal my nakedness. She pressed her hand to her lips in mock shock, but she didn’t look away. She watched me dress, her eyebrows raised in playful curiosity. This could have been what every morning was like for us. Heading out for breakfast in some café and whiling the day away.
I buttoned my shirt and pulled on my trousers. Finally, when I was fully dressed, I went to give her one last kiss goodbye.
My feet paused at the foot of the bed. If I kissed her again I wouldn’t leave.
