Chapter 28

28

She had slept with Brandt Barratt—but they hadn't had sex. They'd fallen asleep in that chair and she hadn't woke for hours. He was watching her when she opened her eyes the next morning. She was under the blankets on his bed. She vaguely remembered them moving there deep in the middle of the night.

He was on top of the duvet, fully dressed. "Hello. This was not a part of my plans, but I am not complaining."

Her cheeks got really hot. "I didn't mean to stay in here all night."

She definitely had stayed there all night. There was sun shining in the window. She never slept this late—but she'd had a lot of late nights recently. Maybe her body had been making up for it.

But she'd also remembered his arms around her and feeling absolutely safe for the first time in a long while. And not being ready to leave him yet.

He leaned forward. And kissed her.

Meyra didn't even hesitate—she kissed him right back.

Life was far too short to waste. Brandt told himself not to rush, that she wasn't ready. But her, him, a bed. Of course, his mind went there. His hands slipped beneath her arms and he pulled her closer.

She hummed and pressed closer. He wanted to get her naked as fast as he possibly could. Her fingers were in his hair, holding him closer.

Brandt's hand slipped the blanket down and out of his damned way. He wanted nothing between them. She helped him.

He told himself not to act like a Neanderthal, not to rush her or do anything that she didn't want. The rational part of his brain yelled at him to stick to the plan . The part that had been in love with her for years was urging him to get rid of that hoodie and those flannel pants as fast as he humanly could.

The sound of a cell phone kept him from giving in to what he really wanted. He bit back a curse.

"The phone. I think it's yours." He grabbed her phone and handed it to her as another text came in.

"It's Dahlia. She's looking for me. She's worried about something and the dining room is really busy. I need to…go. Back to my room. I need a shower. I was supposed to be off today, but I'm still on…call. I always check the kitchen when I'm off, and I didn't today. I think that bothered her."

"Tonight, you and I—I think we need to talk." He cupped her cheeks with both hands. "I am tired of wasting time. No more waiting."

"No more waiting." Her hands wrapped around his wrists. "I don't think we should wait any longer."

"What are you saying?"

"I want to see what can happen between us. I want to figure out why you make me feel the way you do."

Brandt just looked at her, trying to remember to breathe. As what she was saying sank in.

No more waiting. For either of them.