ChapterNine
Saffron
I should getup to leave. I should. After dancing and laughing and being fed, not only did I feel completely cared for in a way that was odd and strange from a perfect stranger, I knew I liked it. Which was problematic at best, and it wasn't like I could keep it. There was no worry or doubt that could happen. This was a distinctly temporary arrangement, so I needed to get up and go.
It doesn't have to be temporary.
I thought of Gabe going all big brother on him. Where is your family? Where did you come from? What are your financials? All of those things that would scare off anyone.
There was no way. Lock was exactly the kind of bloke who would not pass muster. Besides, tonight was a perfect night. It was the kind of night that you wished and hoped for, but I needed to get back to Tabs.
What if for once, you didn't talk yourself out of something amazing? What if for once you stayed?
I couldn't. It was too complicated.
Or maybe you're scared to stay. Scared of loving someone and losing them again?
Oooh, my self-awareness was on the warpath today.
"You want to leave." He sighed.
I froze and then turned in Lock's arms, the warmth of them surrounding me. His clean pine scent enveloped me, tempting me to stay where I was.
We'd fallen asleep on the couch watching Luther. And it had been the most perfect night.
"You've done enough. You cheered me up and provided first aid. I should go."
His gaze searched mine, and I could feel the erratic thumping of his heart beneath my hand.
"If you want to go, let’s go. I’ll walk you. Better yet, maybe a cab. How far is it?"
I rattled off the address. "But I can walk. It’s no big deal. I don't want to bother you."
He lifted a brow. "First of all, I'm going with you. Second of all, it's cold. Come on, let's get you going."
I knew that was my cue. Except when he shifted and pulled me closer so he could roll us over, I realized I didn't want to leave. I was enjoying the cocoon of his arms. I liked him. I liked the way I felt. I liked the way he held me. I liked it all. So why was I so eager to run?
His voice held a low chuckle. "You're not getting up, Saff."
"I don't want to,” I whispered. For once I wanted to be reckless.
The corner of his lips tipped up then. "Then why are you going?"
"Because I think I should be going." For some reason, it was easy to be honest with him instead of finding the half-truths that I was always telling for survival.
“What if you just did what you wanted?"
I licked my bottom lip. "I don't know. I have never done that."
"I dare you to do what you want tonight, Saff. Tell me. Be honest." His voice had gone husky, pitching even lower, quieter, more intimate. "What is it you want to do? I know what I want to do, but I'm going to need you to tell me because I want to make sure I’ve got it right."
I wanted to tell him. I wanted to be the kind of woman who could be daring and just say the words.
His voice was low. Barely above a whisper. He angled his nose toward mine, gently brushing them together. His lips never touched mine, but his breath was a caress. “Tell me what you want. Do you want to get up and leave my arms and walk out the door? Or do you want to stay? Nothing has to happen. I can just keep holding you until morning.”
My pussy had a lot to say about it. Bitch stay. If you leave, I will kill you. I felt the question in my bones. I did not want to leave here. "I want to stay."
A slow smile spread over his lips. "Excellent. So you'll stay. Why don’t you text Tabatha?"