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“Who said anything about sleep?” he replied with a wink.

She punched him in the shoulder. “Bradley! There's a maniac out to get me, and sex is all you can think about?”

“What?” He grinned. “I was just talking about watching a movie. Now whose mind is in the gutter? I was going to be a gentleman and sit in the easy chair and let you curl up in bed. I just want to sit with you while you fall asleep. I promise.”

“Where will you sleep?”

He patted the couch. “She’s comfortable.”

“I don't want to take your bed. I don’t mind the couch.” Her voice was soft, almost timid.

“I insist. My mother would kill me if I made a guest sleep on the sofa,” he said dramatically. Darci laughed but agreed to a movie in the bedroom.

“You don't have to sit in the chair.” She smiled shyly at him and patted the bed next to her as she settled onto the king size bed in Bradley’s bedroom. He started to ask if she was sure but took the victory instead.

“I promise to be good.” He winked as he put the DVD into the machine and settled onto the bed.

“Thank you for rescuing me,” she whispered and laid her head on his shoulder.

“Shhh, the movie is starting.” He kissed her hair and wrapped his arm around her as the opening credits for the film began.

It only took her fifteen minutes to fall asleep, but he stayed where he was, enjoying the feel of her laying against him. True to his word, a half hour later he carefully lowered her onto the pillows and covered her with the blanket. After turning off the television, he pressed a gentle kiss to her cheek and walked to the living room to make himself comfortable on the couch.

The next morning, he woke before his alarm and poked his head into the bedroom to check on Darci. Her red hair fanned out on the pillow as she slept. She looked like an angel. It would have been nice to climb into bed and spoon her to him. Instead, he left her to sleep a bit longer and started coffee in the kitchen, determined to keep his promise to be a gentleman.

With two steaming mugs in hand, he made his way into the bedroom. He hated to wake her, but if they were going to make it in time for sunrise, he couldn’t let her sleep anymore. Standing next to the bed, he waved the cup of coffee under her nose and gently nudged her. “Wake up baby. It’s time to go.” Her eyes opened, barely, and she scowled.

“Too early. Too much booze.” She groaned and closed her eyes again. Quiet laughter shook him as he set the coffee cup on the nightstand. He sat on the bed and nudged her a little harder this time.

“Come on sleepy head, or I’ll have to get bossy.”

“Fine, but this better be a damn good sunrise. This sounded like a much better idea last night.”

“Up,” he commanded.

“I’m up, I’m up.” Her hair fell into her eyes as she sat up in bed looking none too happy. Brushing it back, she reached for the coffee, took a long drink and groaned. “God that’s good.”

“You’re welcome. You have fifteen minutes to get dressed and ready to leave.”

Her nose crinkled, and she stuck out her tongue. One eyebrow quirked upward, and he leaned down so he was eye to eye with her. In a calm voice, he said, “You’re lucky you’re cute and I’m not being bossy right now or you would find yourself over my knee.”

Those green eyes grew wide as she stared at him, and he watched her throat work as she swallowed. The nerves faded quickly though, and she took on a defiant tone.

“You wouldn’t dare because then I would spill hot coffee all over your bed.”

Without breaking eye contact, he took the coffee cup from her and placed it on the nightstand again.

“You sure you want to go there right now darlin?”

With a vigorous shake of her head, she picked up the mug and emptied it with large gulps before scrambling out of bed and going to her suitcase.

“Good girl.” He chuckled as she searched for clothes. “I’ll be in the kitchen. Now you only have ten minutes.”

Something in her eyes told him she was about to stick her tongue out again. When he gave her his patented ‘try me’ look, she quickly changed her mind.Good girl.

It had been more than fun sparring with her. Usually, he preferred his submissives to be more... well, submissive. But he liked the idea of a challenge. Especially with Darci. He knew from their first night together and from reading her blog, that she could be plenty submissive, but like she told him last night, she wanted to be dated before they explored that again. He was going to have to work for her submission, and he was OK with that.

Nine minutes later, she appeared in the kitchen. She wore jeans and a t-shirt, and her hair was pulled back into a messy ponytail. He sipped his coffee and regarded her coolly. With a glance at his watch, he flashed her a wicked grin. “A minute to spare, Miss Sanders. I’m impressed.”

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