Page 44 of The Red-Hot Stakes

He managed to roll off the couch, and I followed. His bed was bigger than the one I’d stayed in.

“Holding out on me, were ya?”

It even smelled like him, cedar and pine making my stomach flip. I inhaled deeply, snuggling once again into his embrace.

* * * *

I woke up before my alarm, still safely ensconced in Liam’s burly arms. With a slight tilt of my chin, I peered at his handsome face, so peaceful as he slept. His long eyelashes lay against his cheeks, which were covered in rough stubble that I longed to run my fingers over. His strong jaw hung slightly open, those full lips parted, begging to be kissed.

I wondered what would happen if I kissed him now. Would that same electric charge pulse through us? Would it jolt him awake? I splayed my fingers across his firm chest, wishing the sweatshirt wasn’t between my skin and his. His hand tightened on my hip, just for a second, and when I looked again, I met his startling green eyes.

“Morning.”

“Morning.” I kept my fingers on his chest, playing with the strings on his sweatshirt.

His thumb rubbed over my hip bone, and I squirmed. I loved the roughness in his voice when he spoke. “Do you have to run right to class?”

I shook my head, grateful that my Tuesday classes didn’t start until ten. “I’ve got a little bit of time.”

“Time for a good morning kiss?”

In response, I tilted my chin. He kissed me slowly, tenderly, with all the gentleness of a ray of sunshine. No electricity coursed between us, instead a steady warmth flowed through me. I could get used to this.

He pulled away with a contented sigh. “Come on, I’ll make you a cup of coffee before you go.”

But I put my head on his chest, snuggling a little tighter. “Five more minutes.”

His chuckle rumbled through me. “Sorry, Red. I’ve got other reasons to get up.”

“Fine.” I reluctantly rolled off him, lying flat on my back and staring at the ceiling. The bed bounced as he left, and I listened to him walk away.

His apartment was a lot like Derek’s, with an en suite bathroom in the master bedroom. When he came out, he tugged on my wrist. “Come on, lazy bones. Keep me company while I make coffee.”

I grumbled, but I let him pull me off the bed, keeping hold of his hand until he walked into the kitchen.

“More classes today?”

“Mondays are the worst, I’ve got four of them. Today I’ve only got two. One at ten, then another after lunch. These are my easy ones too, both lectures.”

The coffee was done, so he poured me a cup. “I’ve got a meeting this afternoon, but I’ll be back by five.” He hesitated before offering, “If you want to hang out again.”

I glanced out of the window. “Want to do something outside? It’s supposed to be gorgeous. We could see what Avery and Derek are up to.” Make her dreams of a double date come true.

“Yeah, that sounds good.”

Silence descended as we drank our coffee, and I realized how much I appreciated the quiet moments like this. Nearly as much as I enjoyed our conversations.

Josh had been a morning person, chattering as soon as he woke up. He liked attention and couldn’t stand silence. It was rare to find someone I could be still with, not filling every second with empty chatter.

And I reveled in it.

* * * *

Avery and I met for lunch in between my classes. “Guess what I got,” she said in a lilting, singsong voice as she sat across from me.

I glanced up from the economics charts I’d been studying. “Hi, Gina, how are you?” I said, pointedly. “I’m fine, thanks.”

She rolled her eyes, shoving a large cream-colored envelope at me.

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