Page 28 of Kiss the Dawn
Lorenzo pulled a pack of cards from a drawer. “It’s a long journey. Shall we play?”
Levi claimed Curi’s vacated seat. “Sure. But I warn you, I rarely lose at card games.”
“Oh?” Lorenzo arched a brow. “Well, there’s a first time for everything.”
Curi returneda half hour into our card games bringing the scent of the elements with him. He looked brighter and more relaxed. The flight must have helped. We chatted and played for an hour or so until a yawn ripped through me.
“You should get some rest,” Lorenzo said. “It’ll be a long day tomorrow.”
“Yeah, you’re right.” I leaned my head on his shoulder without thinking because it felt natural to do so, then pulled away. “Sorry.”
He smiled down at me. “Don’t be.”
“Wait,” Curi said. “You twoaren’ta couple?”
“No, we’re not,” Lorenzo said.
Yet. I wasn’t sure why that popped into my head, but it did, and my cheeks burned because I wanted him. Had wanted him for the longest time. Lorenzo Crescent was the first man who’d stirred and intriguedme in a I-want-to-curl-up-and-watch-the-stars-with-you way. I’d kept my distance because of my vow and my blessing, but those things weren’t obstacles any longer, and…What was I thinking?
This was no time to speculate on romance.
Wow, there was an awkward silence now. “I should get some sleep.”
Lorenzo slid off the bench so I could get out.
“I’ll show you to the bedroom,” he said.
I followed him down the length of the vehicle to the back where a sliding door opened onto a large room with a king-size bed that took up most of it.
Lorenzo closed the door behind us, shutting us into the intimate gloom, and my pulse quickened at his proximity. My calves hit the bed as I backed up to give him room, and I almost lost my balance, but he grabbed my hips to steady me, and my hands came up, palms against his chest. He was warm through his shirt, taut beneath the fabric. I should lift my head and look at him, smile lightly or something, but the pulse in my throat and between my thighs were going crazy.
“It’s a little cramped in here.” His voice was deeper, huskier.
I swallowed the lump in my throat. “Yeah, it is.”
“But you’ll have the bed to yourself. I’ll keep the gargoyles company.” His fingers flexed on my hip, and I resisted the urge to press the tips of mine into his taut pectorals. “I think we can trust them.”
“Yes, so do I. But we should hold off for a little longer.”
“To make sure?”
“Yes, to make sure we’ve gauged it correctly.”
Why did it feel like we were no longer talking about the gargoyles? “Don’t you think we’ve given it enough time?” I searched his face, and he smiled, a soft smile filled with tomorrows before dropping a soft kiss on my forehead.
“Sleep well. I’ll wake you in a few hours.”
He left, and I fell back onto the bed. Lorenzo Crescent was the one I always let get away.
Maybe this time would be different.
Chapter 10
MERRY
“Again?” Kalveen throws down his cards in a dramatic gesture of abandon.
I can’t help but giggle and kick my feet under the table.
