Page 138 of Fresh Canvas
The cab of Val’s car was dark. Heat blasted from the vents as I sat warming my fingertips. Val watched me, a soft smile of contentment playing on his lips.
“I seem to remember you having jackets stashed in your back seat, Russo.”
“Fresh out, I’m afraid. Gave the last one to a hottie I used to work with.” Val chuckled, his eyes darkening as they skimmed my soaked clothes. “I’d apologize, but I’d be lying. I’m not complaining at all.”
Grinning, I swatted at him and wrapped my blazer tighter around my visible bra. “Sorry, but I didn’t expect to be caught in a rainstorm with you.Again.”
“It’s quickly becoming one of my favorite pastimes.”
I laughed. “Take me home so I can change.”
Val leaned across the console and said, “Or, you could stay the night at my place?”
My stomach swooped.
I took in Val’s sweet expression. The question seemed innocent enough, but I couldn’t ignore the innuendo. I mean, it had been averylong time since I’d spent an intimate night with someone, and I guessed it must have been a long time for him, too. I stared down at my fidgeting hands.
“Val, I love you but?—”
“Say it again.” His rough voice interrupted me as he caught my face and turned it to his.
I expelled a shaky breath even as his smoldering eyes threatened to resume our passion.
“I love you.”
Val placed my hand against his hard chest. “See what you do to me?” His heart slammed against my palm, trying to escape into my hand.
“Well, Russo, I hope you have a good cardiologist because I’m not going to stop telling you.” I kissed him briefly before reclaiming my hand.
He grinned wolfishly and said, “Noted. You were saying?”
I sighed. “I love you—but I’m not going to sleep with you.” I risked a glance at his raised eyebrows. “You haven’t even met Anthony yet. This is all still so new.”
Val’s tone was as gentle as the hand he placed on my arm. “Amantha, I wasn’t asking you to sleepwithme. I meant for you to sleepatmy apartment. It’s a long drive back to the suburbs—which I’m still happy to make—but I assumed we would need to talk to Kendra tomorrow about Barbara. I’ll even sleep on the couch, I swear. You can have my bed.”
“Oh.” Although it was unwarranted and completely stupid, I couldn’t help feeling a bit jaded.
Val chuckled and rubbed his neck, the tips of his ears turning pink.
“Don’t take it like that, Adams. And don’t get me wrong, Iwantto. Believe you me, I’m counting down the days. But, I agree. It’s too soon. I haven’tmet Anthony—which for the record, I’m really excited for.” He raised a solemn hand and said, “It’s only a sleepover. Scout’s honor.”
My lips lifted in a mischievous smile. “Fine then, Devil, take me back to your lair.”
“Uh, come again?”
“Your stupid new nickname for me, remember? If you’re calling me Angel, then I’m calling you Devil.”
He caught my face with a laughing kiss. “Fair enough.”
Isplashed my face with water, scrubbing it clean with a plush washcloth. Then I sent a quick text to Mom saying that I wouldn’t be coming home tonight and that I hadn’t been murdered. Using a spare toothbrush Val had given me, I began brushing my teeth. As I watched myself in the mirror, I couldn’t prevent a toothpaste-filled smile at my sodden outfit.
When I had picked it out this morning, I hadn’t had a clue the day would end with me sleeping with Val.
No, I corrected myself. Sleeping at Val’sapartment.
I rinsed my mouth and met my shining gray eyes in the mirror. Although Val and I had agreed not to sleep together, I couldn’t deny the thrum of anticipation at the thought.
We were in love. The whole night stretched ahead of us, tempting me in ways I had never considered before. My body shivered involuntarily.
