15. Lark

Chapter fifteen

Lark

Over the next week, two things happen. Winter fully sets into Vancouver, bringing freezing cold rain and wind, but of course, no snow. And Dan seems to unconsciously make it his mission in life to drive me crazy. Crazy horny, that is.

Which is amusing, considering his confession. I’m still stunned by that. How is a sexy pro baseball player still a virgin in his late twenties? He’s like a unicorn, I guess. I know there must be more to his reason why he hasn’t had sex, and someday, I hope he’ll tell me. But for now, I can’t help but feel special to be the one he confided in.

But at the same time, knowing that brings with it some nerves. Could I really act as just his friend, knowing what I do now, feeling the way I do?

But outwardly, at least, nothing seems all that different. We still meet for early morning runs, have dinner together, watch our favourite Star Wars movies — the original ones, of course — and talk about everything and anything.

Everything except what’s happening between the two of us. That subject is off-limits .

And despite the seemingly normal interactions, there’s been a thread of anticipation lying just under the surface. I don’t know if that’s all in my head or if Dan notices it, too, but it feels like a steady stream of low intensity static electricity running through my body. Making me feel as if every cell is buzzing, more alive than normal, with occasional shocks when his hand brushes against mine, or he gives me that goofy smile that suddenly means so much more.

Or like tonight, when he seems to be sensing my every move.

“I’m thirsty, you want anything?” He jumps up from the couch as soon as I start to shift. How did he know I was about to stand up and go get some water?

I blink up at him. “Sure, some water would be great.”

He hurries into my kitchen, and I hear him take down two glasses and the tap running. I open my mouth to ask him to bring back some snacks when I hear another cupboard open. When I swivel my head to look, he’s taking out the very bag of corn chips I was going to ask for.

How. Does. He. Know?

When he returns to the couch with the bag of chips as well as a jar of salsa tucked under his arm and two glasses of water in hand, he sets everything down before settling back beside me.

“Chips and salsa?” I ask, belatedly realizing there’s no context to my question. But Dan just shrugs, popping the top off the jar of salsa and dunking a chip in before holding it out to me.

I lean forward and let him pop it into my mouth, relishing the way his eyes grow a teeny-tiny bit darker when my lips lightly touch his fingers.

“You always want chips and salsa for a late-night snack. That or licorice.”

I’m pretty sure my eyes are bugging out of my head. He turns and gives me a gentle smile, so at odds with the goofy, fun-loving man he normally is. This smile, this version of him, is softer, more vulnerable. And I know, without a doubt, I am one of the lucky few who get to see it.

“I think you know me better than anyone,” I say in a whisper, tentatively reaching my hand across the couch to pick up his. My eyes cast down as I clasp his fingers in mine, feeling his steady warmth. “And I’m really happy I’m finally realizing that.”

Dan gives a slight tug and lifts his other arm up, beckoning me in. With a happy sigh, I tuck in against his side. His lips land on the top of my head, and I feel him press them lightly in a kiss.

It feels so good to just be held by someone in an affectionate embrace, even though I know it won’t go any further. It makes me try to remember the last time Baron held me like this, and I honestly can’t.

At some point, I guess I drift off, I’m so damn comfortable and secure in Dan’s arms. Because when my eyes flutter open, it’s because I’m being lifted into the air, tucked against his chest.

“I’m sorry, I fell asleep,” I murmur, deciding not to protest him carrying me and just enjoy it this once. I feel his low chuckle reverberate through his chest, and my lips curve up in a smile.

He sets me down on my bed and pulls the blanket up to my chin. “Night, Birdie. I’ll lock up.”

I don’t stop to think about what I’m suggesting when my hand darts out and wraps around his wrist. “Stay?” That one word lands in the dimly lit silence. It’s broken only by a sharp intake of breath before Dan answers .

“Are you sure?”

My tongue darts out to moisten my lips. I know nothing’s going to happen. I trust him. Especially knowing he’s never had sex. Heck, I get a secret thrill out of the idea of being his first some day. But not tonight.

“Yeah. I am. If you want to. Friends who cuddle, right?” I quip, trying to inject some lightness.

It works as I hear him huff out a chuckle. “Okay. I’m gonna go brush my teeth.”

He moves toward the bathroom and I throw off the blanket to join him, my recent tiredness fading. Dan turns with a frown when he sees me behind him.

“What was the point to me carrying you to bed?”

I smirk and step up beside him at my bathroom sink, opening a drawer and handing him a new toothbrush. “It was very sweet and very chivalrous. But if we’re having a sleepover, I don’t want to poison you with salsa breath.”

I bump his hip with mine to break his stare, and he turns forward with a grunt. We go through the motions of brushing our teeth, then he steps out to give me privacy, and then I do the same. While he’s in there, I quickly change into a very basic pair of pajama shorts and a T-shirt.

The bathroom door opens and Dan steps out, his gaze immediately traveling up and down my body where I stand at the side of the bed.

“That’s my shirt.”

I glance down and realize it’s the one he gave me that night he took me home from the bar. I toy with the hem and look at him. “Yeah. You want it back? ”

His head moves slowly side to side. “Keep it. Looks better on you.”

My thighs clench together as another wave of pure want crashes over me. I don’t know how much longer I can resist this sweet man.

He clears his throat and moves to the other side. “Are you okay with me taking off my jeans?”

I nod silently.

Hell yeah, I’m okay with that. I’m more than okay. I’m flustered, hot all over, and suddenly wishing I had a bigger bed.

No, a smaller one.

Gah. Maybe this was a mistake. I’m not sure I trust my unconscious self to keep her hands off him.

Especially once he peels off his shirt and tugs his jeans down, leaving him in nothing but a navy blue pair of boxers with…

“Are those wiener dogs?” I blurt out with a giggle. Dan glances down, then back up, shrugging his shoulders with an impish smirk.

“I like wieners.”

An indelicate snort escapes me. “Okay, then.”

Dan peels back the blanket and slides into my bed, folding his arms behind his head. He looks over at me, catching me staring at his delicious upper body currently on display.

To my surprise, his cheeks darken with a blush. I quickly look away and climb into bed, turning off the lamp.

The only light coming in is from the street outside. But despite the dark, I can feel him close to me. Knowing there’s barely any space and even less clothing separating us has me on edge, but in a good way .

“I’ve never shared a bed with anyone,” he says quietly, and I turn onto my side, propping my head on my hand.

“As long as you don’t snore, we’ll be fine,” I say with a smile. Dan snorts, rolling onto his side to face me.

“I do not snore.”

“How would you know if you’ve never slept with anyone?” I quip, earning a scowl.

“I’ve shared hotel rooms with teammates and no one has ever complained.”

I can’t help but smile at his haughty tone. “Good. Well, g’night.” I flip over before I do something stupid like kiss his handsome, all too tempting face.

To my surprise, I manage to fall asleep fairly quickly. The next thing I’m aware of is waking up while it’s still dark out, a heavy weight draped over me. Blearily, I blink my eyes open, and it still takes a second to realize what’s going on.

I’m in the same spot I was earlier, on my side, at the edge of the bed.

But Dan is no longer on his side of the bed.

He most definitely is not.

His hard body is wrapped around mine, his bare chest pressed against my back, his arm holding me snug, and his head buried in my hair.

Sleep is pulling me back under. But before it overtakes me, I lift his hand carefully to my lips and kiss his knuckles before tucking it back into place against my chest.

Friends who snuggle is kind of amazing.