Page 79 of Promise Me, Katie

“Do you mind if I sleep in my boxers?” he asked, releasing her from his arms to get undressed. As he unbuttoned his shirt, Katherine could see he was wearing the same kind of form-fitting tank top he’d worn to bed so many times before. “I showered right after work, so that I can sleep in my shirt, too.”

“Umm…” She hesitated, her eyes darting back and forth.

“Katie, relax, you have nothing to worry about.”

“Okay,” she sighed in relief. “But if you’re wearing that, then I’m wearing one of my nightgowns. I’m not comfortable in pajama pants.”

“Why didn’t you tell me that before?”

“I thought you liked when I wear your old man pjs.”

“Over seeing you in a nightgown?”

“Point taken,” she said, offering her pinkie finger. “From now on, we choose to be comfortable. Deal?”

“Deal.”

After grabbing a few items from the closet, Matthew insisted Katherine use the adjoining bathroom while he went down the hall. When he returned to find her wearing a light robe that hung to the floor and clung to the curves of her body, his brows lifted, and he nodded his approval.

“Wow.”

“Thank you.” She blushed, fidgeting with the belt. The way he looked her over made her feel desirable in a way she’d never felt before. “I’m glad you like it.”

Pulling back the covers, she folded them neatly before going to the other side of the bed and doing the same thing. Then, slipping out of the robe, she left it on the oversized armchair in the corner, then smoothed the fabric of the knee-length cotton and lace chemise over the curve of her hips before turning to see Matthew’s reaction.

“Wow, again. Katie, you look incredible.”

“Thank you.”

“And you’re sure the boxers are okay?”

Katherine didn’t realize she’d been staring at Matthew’s bare legs. Admiring them through his uniform, a pair of jeans, or even pajama pants didn’t do them the justice they deserved. They looked strong and hard, and she wanted so much to touch them.

“Katie?”

“Huh… I mean, yes, those are fine,” she managed to get out, hoping she appeared calm even though her heart and mind were racing.

Rounding the bed to give Matthew the side he preferred, Katherine revealed the true length of her nightgown.

“I take it back. You look beyond incredible. You look irresistible.”

Smiling, Katherine slipped back into the bathroom for a bottle of lotion. Squeezing a dollop into the palm of her hand, she went to Matthew and held her hand out for him to smell it. “Too girly?”

“You could never be too girly for me.”

“I meant the lotion,” she laughed. “Is it too flowery?”

“Not at all. It reminds me of you.”

As Katherine sat down on the bed, she patted the other side, inviting Matthew to join her. As she proceeded to rub lotion down the length of her bare legs, Matthew sucked in a breath.

“Tell me something that’ll get my mind off of what you’re doing.”

Katherine looked over at Matthew and smiled. He looked as though he were ready to pounce. “How about you tell me about the rest of your day.”

“Okay… umm, it was a pretty standard workday,” Matthew began in search of something more to say. “Well, aside from my parents showing up announced. Oh, and someone calling about their dog stuck in a tree.”

Katherine laughed. “Don’t you mean their cat?”

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