Page 103 of The Blackmail of Denise Randall

THE SHARED NIGHT

The easy banter we had shared throughout the day is gone. There’s an intensity now in his stare that mimics my own. There’s this new ache that’s building, a hunger that’s stronger than any craving from a drug. My attraction for him has been growing. Sure, we’ve been on dates before and shared a few heated kisses. But now I’ll be sleeping in the same house as him, completely sober. I’m getting anxious and nervous that Keaton is either going to be like a quick high, or worse, the one addiction I won’t be able to quit. He cups my face and says in a soothing voice, “We don’t have to do anything. In fact, I can sleep in the guest bedroom.”

“No, I’ll take the guest bedroom.”

“Well, I was going to suggest that but didn’t know which was the more polite room to offer. Either way, I was taking my favorite blanket.” He smiles at me, and I can’t help but smile back.

“Thank you.”

“We can take this as slow as you want.”

Keaton goes and grabs me one of his shirts and a pair of boxer shorts. I make my way to the guest bathroom and close the door behind me to change. When I walk back out, he’s sitting in the living room, in only loose gray sweatpants, watching television. He seems so much larger. His clothes do a great job of hiding how big and strong he is, but now, his muscular chest is bare and on full display. My insecurities try to creep in, but I refuse to allow it. He is obviously attracted to me and wants me here. My body is perfect the way it is, and this is me. If he finds anything lacking—then fuck him. I just really hope he doesn’t, because I would really like to run my hands along his…

“I see you over there staring at me like a creeper. Come sit down and stare at least in the open, instead of lurking in the hallway.”

Shit. He caught me. I make a point of not looking at him as I walk over and pick up the notepad I had earlier today and go back to my sketching. After an hour, we both begin to yawn. He turns off the television and stands.

This is it. He said I would sleep in my own bed. Is he going to try and lure me into bed with him?

“Stop it. I can read you like an open book. I’m going to my bed to sleep. If you need me, I’m across the hall.” He comes over and gently places a kiss on my forehead. “It’s been fun having you here tonight.”

I smile and nod in agreement. His eyes linger on my lips, so I tilt my chin up toward him. He accepts my silent offer and gently places his lips to mine. I open my mouth to him, and he leans in further. Quickly, he pulls away.

“Okaaay. Time to go before I lose what I have left of my control.”

I giggle, and he scowls at me as he walks away. “I’m here to protect you. I’m becoming a threat, so I’m removing myself. See? I am an honorable gentleman.”

I raise an eyebrow to him. “You’re becoming a threat?”

The smile Keaton throws at me could melt ice. “Oh, Miss Randall. If I turned on my charm, you’d be powerless against me.” I snort. “Don’t tempt me to prove a point. My seduction skills are dangerous for your sweet, young, country girl heart.”

“Wow. You must’ve already fallen asleep because you are definitely dreaming.”

He gives a low growl and walks off. My body longs to follow him, but I’m just now at a good place in my life. I’ve been in a state of confusion and on a rollercoaster of high and lows. Now I’m thinking clearly, and on a steady ride. Keaton has understood all along that I needed to take things slow, and I should follow his lead. I spend a few minutes enjoying my solitude, drawing various types of dresses. After my fifth yawn in the last five minutes, I decide it’s time to call it a night. I enter the foreign bedroom and look around. It’s strange being in another person’s home, but I’m not completely uncomfortable, if I’m being honest. I take off my oversize shirt and his boxers to sleep in only my tank top and panties. I crawl under the soft comforter and reach over and flip the switch on the bedside lamp. I close my eyes but open them when I swear I hear noises. I snuggle deeper under the protective covers. I try again, closing my eyes and forcing myself to relax. Feeling a presence in the dark, I jump up and turn on the light. Nothing. I growl in frustration. I’m a grown woman, I shouldn’t be scared because I’m alone. But I’m not alone.

My heart skips a beat at the thought of Keaton across the hall. I wonder if he’s struggling to sleep, knowing I’m right across the hall. I decide to find out. I toss the covers aside and hop out of bed. I tiptoe across the hall and ease his cracked door farther open.

The room is dark, but I can make out the steady rise and fall of his broad chest. So much for him wondering about me. Slowly, I ease the covers back and slide under. I wrap his arm around me and snuggle into his chest. He stirs slightly and then, still half-asleep, asks what I’m doing.

I relax into him and say, “Making your job easier.”

His eyes fly open. “Which job exactly are you making easier?”

I close my eyes. “The one to protect me.”

“Oh. Yeah…” He clears his throat. “Yeah, I can protect you a lot easier this way.”

“What were you thinking?”

“That. That’s exactly what I was thinking.”

I smile and sigh, allowing my body to drift away.

A horrible blaring noise fills my ears and startles me awake from the best sleep I’ve had in years. My eyes fly open, and I sit upright. I blink a couple of times and try to gather my bearings. I look down at my tank top and thin shorts. The noise continues, so I try to find the source. It doesn’t take long when I look to my left and find a black cellphone’s screen flashing. Keaton is still sleeping peacefully. I give him a hard shove to stop the persistent racket, but he doesn’t fully wake up. I shove his bare shoulder again only to have him groan at me. I shove harder. Finally, I decide to get the thing myself.

I lean over him and try hitting the button on the side of his phone. His hand comes from underneath the covers to his phone as well. I look down at his eyes now wide open. Slowly, his eyes leave mine and scan my body. I ease off of him and back to my side of the bed. My movement causes the blankets to pull down from his body, revealing his full bare torso. I gulp. My face heats as I remember how nice it felt to have all that warm muscle wrapped around me. Although nothing sexual happened between us, I feel like we spent an intimate night together.

“What did I say about staring?” His voice is guttural. I look up at his face to find his eyes are now closed. I roll mine.

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