Page 21 of Fade (Fighting Fate)

“Do you need a hand?”

“Nope. I’ll just be a minute.”

I watched him disappear out the door before sinking down onto the pillows. He returned a few minutes later with a basket in hand, the sight so contradictory to the big, muscly guy he was, I had to giggle.

Giving me a mock glare, he folded himself down opposite me and began unpacking. The food looked amazing. It was just a big assortment of appetizers, from mini quiches to spinach pastries and beyond. There was even an assortment of desserts.

“Oh my God, this looks incredible,” I said, my stomach already growling at me to hurry up and eat.

Daniel laughed, obviously hearing my stomach’s protest. “Eat.”

Not waiting to be asked twice, I started from one side and tried everything that was on offer. By the time I’d tried it all, I was perfectly full.

Slouching back against the pillows, I sighed with contentment.

“Is that all you’re eating?” he asked, sounding skeptical.

I closed my eyes and sighed again. “Mmm-hmmm . . . ”

“That couldn’t possibly be enough to sustain you.”

I opened one eye and rolled my head so I could see him. “Are we having popcorn and candy?”

He frowned. “Of course.”

“Then I’m perfect. Just enough room for popcorn and candy . . . ”

The sound of him chuckling brought a smile to my lips. It was a nice sound. I wished I heard it more often.

“All right. Let me just clear this away and I’ll put a movie on. What do you feel like watching?”

I went to sit up, but he was suddenly there, his face only inches away from mine.

“Don’t,” he said, pressing his lips to mine, soft and slow. “I don’t need help. Stay there.”

Slightly mute with clouds in my head, I watched him stack it all back into the basket and carry it out to the kitchen, my heart thumping out an excited rhythm.

When he came back, he moved us up onto the sofa and started flicking through our movie options. I giggled when he stopped to check out one of Joshua Emerson’s movies.

“You know this guy, right?” Daniel asked, reading through the blurb.

“Yeah, he’s kind of an assumed part of our gang, even though he’s never here.”

Daniel gave me an impressed look. “That’s pretty freaking cool.”

Laughing, I shrugged. I never really thought about it, but I guessed it was pretty cool being friends with a movie star. I was just glad Josh chose to keep his roots grounded when he moved to L.A.

“Did you want to watch it?”

Snuggling in closer, I shook my head. “Nah, I’ve already seen it like six times. Let’s watch the Thor one.” I figured the second Thor movie was a fool-proof option. I mean, what guy didn’t like the Marvel movies? And, let’s face it, Thor was just hot. It was a definite win-win for both of us.

I wasn’t sure how far into the movie we were when I started to get distracted. It may have been when he wrapped his arm around me to pull me against his side, or it could’ve been when he started to lightly run his fingers up and down my arm, but I think maybe it was around the time he leaned his cheek against the top of my head and started to breathe me in.

Oh, who was I kidding? I didn’t think I could remember the opening sequence if I tried.

Deciding to throw caution to the wind, I tilted my head back until my gaze met his. I felt his whole body still. I knew exactly what my eyes would be showing him, and I didn’t care. I actually hoped he could read them loud and clear.

It was as though the air around us suddenly exploded with tension. Daniel’s gaze dropped to my mouth. and his eyes darkened.

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