Page 32 of Backdraft
"You're welcome. I'm happy to help."
He walked her to her truck.
"I'll have a storage unit ready for my stuff, and my SUV is being shipped as well. When it arrives, is it okay for two vehicles in your driveway?”
"Of course it is, and you don’t need storage. Have it all sent to my place."
He opened the truck door for her.
"It's a not a lot. Some furniture and boxes that I’ve kept over the years. I can put it in storage until I find my own place."
His heart dropped, and he didn't want to show disappointment that she was thinking their living arrangement was temporary. He hadn't really thought that far ahead.
"I have a large garage on the property that will be able to store it all."
She looked up at him, and they gazed into each other’s eyes. He wanted to take her by the shoulders and pull her in for a kiss. If he did that, he'd be stepping over an undrawn line. So when she leaned in to give him a hug, he couldn't have been more surprised.
Taylor slowly tightened his hold on her and inhaled her soft scent. He was elated when she gripped him. They stood like that for the longest moment and let each other go at the same time.
"See you tomorrow then," she said and climbed into her vehicle.
"Yes. I'll have coffee."
Drea laughed. "Good, I need my coffee!"
Chapter Ten
I’m going to show you you’re not as good as you think you are.
Chapter Eleven
I cupped the glass of bourbon between my palms and looked over my shoulder at the door. I was waiting for Shannon. We’d arranged to meet up and have a bite to eat before she had to head out to another case. The place was packed, and I was lucky to snag two stools at the bar.
Taylor's suggestion of moving in with him had caught me by complete surprise. It was obvious our chemistry was still lit. I mean, whenever I was around him, I was hard pressed to not get all jittery and aroused.
Our weekend wasn't easily forgettable. Before stumbling across each other here in Oak Creek, I'd held on to our time together as a wonderful memory to cherish. Something to remember when I was older and that part of my life had faded away. I didn't want to admit how sad that made me. To not have a physical and emotional relationship as I aged actually broke my heart.
And then boom, here he was in the flesh. A hot memory sprung to life, and one I realized I wanted to relive again.
And again.
So why did I find it hard to look him in the eye, to let him stand close to me? How was it possible I felt shy?
Shy!
Seriously, what we had done together was far from vanilla, so to feel shy was ridiculous. Even now, my heart skipped a beat thinking about him, and I gripped the glass when I swayed, feeling lightheaded.
I took another drink of the bourbon. It seared my throat and warmed my belly. But it did not ease the growing ache for him. Suddenly, I was warm. I wish I could rip off my clothes and cool down. Taking another drink only accomplished raising my body heat even more.
And his offer to move in with him! It was a whole other matter I struggled to make sense of. Even though I'd already accepted his offer, I questioned if it really was a good idea. The thought of us sleeping under the same roof, in different bedrooms just down the hall from each other, seemed very dangerous indeed.
How long would it be before we found our way into the same bed? Goosebumps rippled along my arms. I was pretty sure it wouldn't take long. I'd been celibate for a while, and I'd finally accepted that our Denver tryst had ruined me for other men. Nothing compared.
I finished the remainder of the alcohol and welcomed the fiery heat as I allowed myself to imagine us together again.
Erotic thoughts aside, if I was honest with myself, moving in with Tayler did make sense. My vehicle would be safe parked in his driveway. I wouldn't be alone in case of any further threats. Not that I needed to have someone close by to keep me safe, I told myself, but it did ease my mind a bit.
I picked at the coaster under the glass, replaying the other notes that had been left for me. The one on the truck. In the mail at the office, and front desk of the hotel.
