Page 43 of Before the Storm
He paused midstep. “How about we sleep in the same bed and enjoy cuddling.”
“What if I wanted more?”
“You might be able to twist my arm, but I don’t want to rush things.”
“Are you like this with all the women you date?”
“No,” he said. “But no one has ever made me want to do it right before.”
9
Phoenix flicked off the light in the master bathroom. This had been the first house he’d ever owned. It was the first place that felt like a home. A sanctuary. Since moving in, he’d never had a woman spend the night. He’d dated, sort of. But he always ended up going back to their places and often, he found reasons to leave. The older he got, the more he told himself that he enjoyed his space. That he preferred sleeping alone.
However, it had also become a lonely existence.
He couldn’t admit that to anyone, not even his brothers or parents. He didn’t know how to articulate it. Relationships had never been his thing. Being tied to any person—or even a place—had always made him jumpy. That was until his brothers had found Blue Moon.
That filled his heart with more joy than he knew what to do with. It had given him everything he thought he needed for the last few years. Only, an emptiness had crept into his soul and the moment he’d laid eyes on Janelle, he knew only one thing could fill that void.
Love.
What a foreign concept.
He stepped into the master bedroom, wearing a pair of pajama bottoms. Normally, he’d sleep in boxers or nothing, but he didn’t think that would be appropriate, especially if he wanted to remain a gentleman.
His breath hitched when he saw Janelle sprawled in her modest nightgown in his king-sized bed. Who said a woman needed lingerie to be sexy?
“What do you want to watch?” She handed him the remote as he pulled back the covers.
“Whatever you want. Makes no difference to me.”
“You have to have an opinion.”
He hit the power button and the television roared to life. He tapped one of the streaming apps. “This show looks like it could be good.”
“It is. I’ve seen it.”
“What about this one?” He scrolled to one Brandi had recommended.
“Okay. I’m game.” He hit play, then set the remote on the nightstand, wrapping his arm around Janelle, waiting for all of this to become uncomfortable or weird.
But every bone in his body told him this was natural. Normal. As if this was the way his life should be.
Nelson had fallen in love with Brandi quickly. However, it had taken them a year to define their relationship and make it official.
Maverick and Hensley both had been hit with instant love, but Hensley fought it because she didn’t believe she could give Maverick what he wanted most.
A family.
Until one dropped in their lap.
Phoenix had gone through life not wanting the entanglement of being responsible for someone else’s feelings. That pressure was too much. Too intense.
In this moment, it’s all he wanted. He wanted to protect and care for Janelle the way she deserved. He wanted to make her happy. To see her smile and to watch her eyes light up when she felt joy. The mere thought of her walking out of his life left him empty and cold.
Her fingers danced across the center of his chest and she wedged her knee between his legs.
Gently, he moved it away.
