Page 44 of Wild Dreams

12

CHANCE

Last night, I stayed awake for as long as I could. One of my favorite movies was playing in the background, but the highlight of my evening was holding Marigold in my arms. I couldn't believe I'd given into my greatest desire and had sex with my sister's friend.

We would have to see each other at family events and around town, but I couldn't regret my decision. It was the single best night of my life.

It felt like I'd been holding back, and I finally let myself have something amazing. Marigold was an indulgence, a temporary insanity.

I loved everything about our evening together, including falling asleep on the couch. When I woke, I hoped to find her still in my arms, warm and sturdy against my chest.

Instead, I smelled eggs and bacon. I stretched, my neck kinked from sleeping in one position all night. The fire was burning again and the TV turned off. I eased to a seated position, feeling a little disoriented. I never slept at a woman's place. It led them to think it was more than sex. But I had no regrets about still being in Marigold's living room.

"Oh." Marigold walked in. "You're naked."

I ran a hand through my hair, making no effort to cover myself. "That's how we fell asleep last night."

Marigold smiled, and her cheeks turned pink. "I made breakfast. I have to go pick up Oakley soon."

I stood and stretched. When I opened my eyes, Marigold's gaze was following a trail down the center of my body. "I love where your mind is, but we have an appointment this morning." I moved toward her, pulling her into my arms. Her hair was damp from a shower, and she wore jeans and a green sweater. "I was hoping you'd still be in my arms when we woke."

"I wasn't sure?—"

I eased back to see her face. "You weren't sure about us?"

Marigold shook her head slowly. "You don't like commitment, attachments, strings?—"

"You knew that, and you had sex with me anyway?"

She nodded as a slow smile spread over her face. "I have no regrets."

I growled, pulling her back against my chest. "Neither do I." She felt right in my arms, like she was always meant to be here.

She eventually tapped me on my pec. "We have places to be. Get dressed."

I sighed. This was not how I wanted the morning to go. But like all babies, Oakley came first.

Marigold turned to walk away, and I couldn't resist slapping her ass. She frowned over her shoulder at me. "Hey. Watch it."

"You liked it." When she just laughed, I grabbed my clothes and headed upstairs to find the master bath. I needed a shower, then coffee.

I felt satisfied but not completely sated. I wasn't done with Marigold. I needed more of her. I quickly scrubbed my body, pleased she had bar soap instead of some fruity-smelling body wash. I liked being in her space, but I didn't want to smell likeher in front of my family today. Those were questions I wouldn't want to be answering.

I shampooed my hair and forced myself to get out of the steamy water. My stomach rumbled. I was supposed to pick her up after lunch to take her to my house. How could I act like nothing had changed between us?

She had work to catch up on, and I should feel guilty that I was interrupting her time. But I couldn't remember a morning when I'd been happier to start the day. And it had nothing to do with work.

I cleaned up the towels, ensuring the bathroom looked like it had before I showered, then followed the smell of bacon to the kitchen.

"Oh, good. You're done. We need to eat and go. They said they are only there until nine this morning for those picking up sick pets. I don't want him to be there all weekend." She handed me a plate and a fork, and I immediately began shoveling the food in my mouth.

"You're a good cook."

"Thanks. I usually cook for myself." She shrugged, then poured a to-go cup of coffee for me.

I scraped the plate clean, wishing we had time to talk over our coffee, but Oakley was waiting on us, and I knew Marigold was anxious to see him. "You ate already?"

She averted her gaze. "While you were in the shower."

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