Page 43 of Gwen's Delta
“I like it. Cheerful and soothing, like you. All it’s missing is the sexy. But that wouldn’t work well in the living room, would it?”
“No, probably not,” Gwen said with a nervous giggle. Every step took them closer to her bedroom.
Closer todessert. Knots tightened in her stomach as she contemplated what he’d meant at the restaurant. Distracted, she tripped over her own feet. Luke caught her, his quick reflexes keeping her from falling.
Still in Luke’s arms, he turned her around and his finger slid under her chin and tilted her head up. “Gwen, nothing has to happen tonight. It’s your decision to make. If you need more time, I’ll give you as much as you need. I’m not going anywhere. Okay?”
Gwen let his words sink in, and her nerves settled, but desire sizzled down her spine.
As his warm hand caressed her cheek—so gentle—Gwen’s heart filled with an emotion she wasn’t ready to name.
“Okay.” She silently thanked whatever stroke of fate had brought Luke into the bookstore.
Even with his assurance that he’d wait until she was ready, each step closer to her bedroom made her pulse race. Gwen stood in front of the partially open door for a few seconds, took a deep breath, and pushed it open.
Sir Galahad had stretched out in the middle of her bed, taking a bath. When Luke burst into laughter, all the tension tightening her shoulders dissipated like the wind.
Sir Galahad gave them a dirty look, then went back to his bath. The orange feline spent more time in her bed than she did. The cat considered it his and granted her permission to sleep there as long as she didn’t get in his way.
“He’s terrible. No manners at all.” Gwen shook her head.
“It’s a cat thing. They think they run the house. I grew up with two of them and three dogs. I was lucky we were a pet family.”
“Wow. And three kids, too? You mom must be a saint.”
“It was a big house, and we had lots of room. Actually, it’s my grandparents’ house. My parents keep trying to get my sisters to move back in.”
“And they don’t want to?” Gwen asked. The longer they stood in the doorway, the more tension returned. As much as she appreciated Luke leaving it up to her, she wished he’d make the first move. She definitely wanted him. She’d thought of nothing else all afternoon from the moment he’d walked into the bookstore. It was so fast though, and that was the only thing holding her back. Well, and her lack of experience.
“Not really. Even though my oldest sister runs the business now, she likes to go home to her little family at night. My mother is a perfectionist. It’s okay in small doses. But Lara and Karen both have small children. Just the thought of them running around is terrifying. So many breakables. When we were young, they relegated us to the playroom or outside.”
“Oh wow. And your mother still wants them to live there?”
“Yeah. And I get it. Living there doesn’t make sense. I’m sure my parents are lonely and would love to be around the grandchildren more, but the stress would probably give her a heart attack.”
Gwen understood lonely. She’d longed for a brother or sister when she was growing up. Her grandparents were great, but she had wanted to play. Instead, she’d spent her childhood in the bookstore. Not knowing anyone when she finally started school had only made her more of a bookworm.
“That’s sad…” she said.
“Don’t feel sorry for my parents, princess. They see the kids all the time and go on big family trips a few times a year.”
“Do you go on the trips, too?”
“Not since I joined this team. Our schedule can be erratic, and I’d end up having to waste the tickets. It’s hard to make long-term plans with this job.”
Sir Galahad finished his bath and strutted past Gwen with a twitch of his tail. Luke leaned against the door jamb. He didn’t enter her room, just waited for her to make the first move. When he’d said she could decide, it had added pressure. Indecision made her bite her lower lip.
Even filled with desire, asking for what she wanted required words. But none came. That left touching. After blowing out a breath, she looked up at him. Expecting to see impatience, his caramel eyes shone with understanding. She was nervous, and he knew it, but the need to touch him, to feel his body against hers grew.
“There’s no reason to be nervous, princess.”
“I know, but...” Her voice came out breathless.
“Would you feel better if we sit in the living room and talk for a while? As long as I’m close to you, I’m content.”
Where had this man come from? Luke spoke gently, trying to reassure her as the proof of his desire strained against his zipper. That same desire sent heat to her core and made her brave.
“No talking. I need you. I want this.”
