Page 57 of Renegade

Once I was certain that the living room was pristine again, I bolted into my closet and searched for something sexy, yet casual. I chose a basic black sundress and stripped off my t-shirt and athletic shorts.

It was right about then that the front door opened and Mike walked in. As if he had a sixth sense about this sort of thing, he immediately looked down the hallway and paused when he realized that I was standing there in nothing but my bra and panties.

I immediately tried and failed to cover myself with my arms.

He fought a grin and held up a small bouquet of red roses. “I—I—uh, here’s some flowers for you. I knocked, but you didn’t answer. Do you always leave your door unlocked? That’s really not safe.”

I held up my index finger. “Can you?” I squeaked, “Can you just give me a minute?”

He nodded as his gaze moved up and down my mostly naked body. “Sure. You need any help?”

I slammed the bedroom door and called out, “No. No, thank you. I’ll be just fine.”

I rested my forehead against the door.Okay, so we’d established that physically he was into me.I just wish there was a way to ensure he’d stick around until morning.

I looked at the sundress, mocking me from its hanger and then bent down and picked up my t-shirt and shorts.

Baby steps, Lauren. Baby steps.

I stepped back into the shorts and then slipped the t-shirt over my head before re-entering the living room. Mike had made himself at home on the couch and was flipping through the channels aimlessly. When he saw me, he frowned. “I liked your first outfit better.” Then he picked the roses up off the coffee table and handed them to me. “I got you these.”

I swatted him playfully on the arm and took the roses into the kitchen. I should’ve been over the moon; I’d never received flowers before. Unfortunately, I was missing that girl gene when it came to elegant bouquets. I didn’t see the point to them.

And how had something that died within a week come to symbolize love and romance?

I found a large glass and filled it with water and the little package of plant food before dropping the roses in. I set the glass on the small ledge that separated the kitchen from the living room.

“Do you want a glass of wine?” I offered from the kitchen. “Or beer? I think I might have a few in the fridge.”

“No. I’m on call tonight. Come back in here.”

I grabbed a couple of bottled waters and rejoined him on the couch. Not a man of patience, he pulled me against him.

I looked up at him with a shy smile. “You miss me or something?”

He looked away from the television and nodded. “If I’d known you walked around in your underwear, I would’ve been over here every night. You like history?”

I didn’t, but nodded anyway, and he settled on a World War II documentary. I tried to stay awake, but he kept stroking my back and my eyes drifted shut not long after it started.

I awoke to my face being tickled. I shuddered and moved away, but it didn’t stop. I finally popped one eye open and found Mike kneeling by the side of the couch with his lips pressed against my cheek. His beard must’ve been what woke me.

“I got a call. I have to go,” he whispered softly.

“What time is it?”

He glanced at his watch. “It’s just a little after three.”

I turned enough to free my arm from the back of the couch and looped it around the back of his neck, pulling his mouth down over mine. “I want you to stay,” I breathed against his lips.

Screw the rules.

If it was the next morning, maybe it counted as the second date.

Mike used the sofa to brace himself as I pulled him closer to me. His tongue sought entrance to my mouth and I moaned, allowing him in.

He broke away with a groan, “Fuck, I wanna stay, but I can’t. Tomorrow night, I want you to come over—I’ll make you dinner. Is that okay or would you rather go out?”

I shook my head. “Let’s go to your house.”

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