CHAPTER 10

“C’mon, Sleeping Beauty. Time to wake up and get ready if we want to catch that train to London.”

“Mmm, must we?”

She had not slept well last night. After the most intense orgasm of her life, she wouldn’t have minded doing it again. But Dariux had not tried to initiate sex, and she was still too raw and insecure of their relationship to push for it. She had already practically thrown herself at him once. She didn’t know how this relationship was supposed to go, but she wanted the next time to be his initiative.

And he had said he would make it better. How much better? That was the most sensational experience of her life. Apparently, he’d had better.

So she had just lain awake for hours, hot and bothered, pondering how to go forward. Now that they had agreed they would become lovers, how often would they have sex?

She could have sworn Dariux had a strong sexual appetite. Yet, although he had acted playful and tender afterwards, he had made no physical advances. Maybe men couldn’t do it more than once a night?

Now, with the morning sun seeping through the curtains, she studied him from under heavy-lidded eyes. Here she was, all sleepy and groggy, and he was cheerful and awake after a good night’s rest. Throwing something at his head would feel really satisfying right now, except she didn’t have the energy for that.

“Yes. We must. I, for one, can’t wait to get to London. Enough of these backwater towns. I want to see the big city in this era. Besides,” he said, waggling his eyebrows suggestively, “the Langham hotel is going to be infinitely more comfortable and luxurious. I looked it up before our trip. Wait until you see it.”

“Fine. I’m getting up.” Her eyelids felt like lead, and the bed was a monster that did not want to let her go. She sat up, stretching and yawning. When she opened her eyes again, Dariux’s eyes were on her. Amused and heated at the same time.

“What?” she asked, and in the same instant, she realized she was completely naked. With a gasp, she grabbed the sheet and wrapped it around herself. She pulled herself from the bed, then trudged to the screen for her morning ablutions.

“A little late for modesty, don’t you think? You said it yourself. I’ve seen you naked before,” he teased.

That was true. And yet, now it was different. Before, there was no awareness between them. And intellectual passion obliterated modesty. But this morning, after what they had shared last night, and under his focused gaze, she felt...exposed.

“I’m not being modest,” she lied. “I’m merely cold. I’ll be ready in a few minutes.”

***

THE LANGHAM WAS EVERYTHINGhe had promised. The most modern and luxuriously appointed hotel in London at this time. Her eyes roamed around the massive building as porters hurried to help them with their luggage as soon as they alighted from their rented coach.

Built only a few years ago, it boasted mechanical lifts, electric lights, and elegant assembly rooms. But the thing she appreciated the most were the suites with private bathing chambers. She knew coming into this mission that she would have to forgo many twenty-second century comforts, and for the most part, she had prepared and adapted. But the one thing she could not stop wishing for was indoor plumbing. Interesting, the things one misses the most.

Their suite comprised a sitting room, the bathing chamber and, beyond that, the bedroom. One bedroom. One bed. Dariux had arranged for this. Did that mean he intended for them to share one bed? She looked from the big, plush, canopied bed to Dariux, who was supervising the delivery of the luggage and tipping the bellhop. He turned to her with a smile, and their eyes met.

“There’s only one bed.” She sounded a little breathless.

“Yes. Is that a problem? I can request another suite with two bedchambers. I just thought that after last night, we wouldn’t need it.”

“No, that’s fine. I suppose. I was just surprised.”

“Are you positive?” His tone was all consideration and even tenderness. “Truly, Kalli, if you are uncomfortable, it is no trouble to...”

“No, don’t do that. I like this suite. The view is pleasant. The light is fantastic. And we have our own bathroom. This is perfect. Really. Are you going to be comfortable sleeping with me for a prolonged period?”

He shrugged. “I slept great last night. And the night before, too, even though we still hadn’t...you know, become intimate. There’s something soothing about sleeping next to you... Besides, it will be more convenient for indulging in certain activities,” he added with a mischievous smile.

“I didn’t sleep well last night,” she blurted. The doubts were eating at her, and she couldn’t go any longer without hashing it out.

“Ah. I figured, since you were so tired this morning. Was sleeping in the same bed with me the cause of your sleeplessness?”

“Sort of.” At his look of chagrin, she added. “Not because of you. I was wondering how our arrangement was going to work and thinking. Probably overthinking. And wanting...”

“Wanting? What did you want? Me? More of what we did?” he asked, taking two steps closer, stopping right in front of her. Coming into her personal space but not touching her...yet. If she found the courage to say it, maybe he would.

“Yes. I wanted you.”

His eyes darkened, and his hands lifted to cup her face. “Oh, baby, I wanted you, too. I still do.”

“And yet you slept so well. You fell asleep shortly after our...encounter. And barely stirred the entire night.”

A corner of his mouth hitched up in a sexy little half smile. “I was relaxed. And content. Thanks to you. After my ordeal in the river, I guess those feelings of wellbeing caught up with me. But I can make it up to you.”

He lowered his head and captured her lips.