Page 30 of Delayed
“Can’t go wrong with that.” She pouredcoffee into a mug he’d set next to the pot for her. Then shewandered over to him and pushed up to kiss his cheek.
“Did you sleep well?” He turned and kissedher lips.
“When I slept, I did so like a log.” Shewinked at him before moving to the table and sitting.
“What time are you planning to head back?”He dreaded the answer. Though this relationship was new and theywere still getting to know each other, he wished they were closer.He missed seeing her during the week. But he couldn’t say thesethings to her—at least not yet. She had already been skittish aboutstarting a relationship anyway.
“Early afternoon perhaps.” She sipped hercoffee. “I have a few things for work I have to catch up on beforeMonday.”
Rex scooped the eggs onto two plates, placeda strip of bacon on each and slathered the toast with butter. Heslid the plate in front of Anna. “Eat, Sunshine.” He kissed the topof her head before sitting across from her.
“What’s your week look like?” She nipped theend of her bacon strip.
“I’m in Georgia tomorrow, but will be backWednesday afternoon. Thought I’d head over your way for a longerweekend if that’s okay with you?”
She stopped chewing. “You don’t have to workthe rest of the week? Because I do.” The sharpness in her tone bit.But he understood her career drive and tried not to take itpersonally.
“I have to work, but everything I have to docan be done remotely. I’ll be putting reports together that can beemailed to Brady and T. I’d rather do it closer to you so we couldhave a few extra evenings together.” He reached across the tableand squeezed her hand. “I promise not to take you away from yourwork.”
The corners of her mouth tipped up.“Okay.”
“Great. I look forward to getting a coupleextra nights of snuggling with you this week.”
She chuckled. “You mean, a couple extranights of getting laid.”
Though he did thoroughly enjoy their nightsof lovemaking, that wasn’t the sole reason for him to want to spendmore time with her. He sat straighter. “If that happens, that’sjust icing on the cake.”
“We’re like rabbits, Rex.” Her cheeks heatedat her words.
“Okay. So, we do tend to enjoy sex. But Ihope you don’t think that’s the only reason I’m with you.” Hepaused and scanned her face.
She pursed her lips and shook her head. “Idon’t.”
“You seem to make jokes about it regularly,particularly when the topic comes up about spending more timetogether. Why is that, Sunshine?” He shifted in his chair andcrossed his ankle over his knee.
She sat silent for a beat or two staring ather coffee mug. “I don’t know where this is going.” She raised hergaze to meet his, her brow wrinkling.
“It’s a relationship. We are seeing eachother.”
She dropped her gaze to her plate and movedsome eggs around the plate with her fork. “I get that. But is therea future?”
“You better fucking believe there is.” Heslapped his hand on the table. “I don’t plan on letting you out ofthis relationship without a fight.”
She set the fork down and rubbed her handsover her face.
“We’re good together, Anna. Really good. Andit’s not just the sex. I like who I am when I’m with you.” Hereached for her hand and entwined their fingers.
“I know. Me, too.” She smiled, her dimplesdenting both cheeks.
“Then what’s the issue? Talk to me.” Hestared at her.
A line formed between her eyebrows. “We livein separate cities. Long distance works for now. But what happenswhen neither of us wants the distance anymore?”
“I don’t want the distance now.” His thumbcaressed hers.
“I may be getting a promotion soon. Thatwould solidify my stay in Tampa. What then?” Her breathingshallowed.
“I’m willing to cross that bridge when weget to it. What happens if you don’t get the promotion?”
