Page 56 of First Time

Would it include Daniel? His claims suggested it would, and I hoped so.

Time would tell.

Losing myself in his kisses was easy. Submitting myself to him came naturally—but I also recognized I needed to be me. Find me—the new Becky Eaton who took charge of her life and stood on her own without influence.

I pulled back from Daniel’s mouth and heaved a sighed exhale. We both had responsibilities to take care of, and I planned on facing mine that day with a real smile on my face for a change. I’d finally chosen right, but there would be a need for honesty with my friends and family in order for me to remain safe.

“I’ll tell my boss what happened and have him call the police if Stephen shows up and causes problems,” I murmured, feathering my fingertip over Daniel’s lower lip.

“Promise?” The worry in his gaze flooded my heart with warmth.

“Yes.”

“Call me if you need me.” His voice didn’t hint at suggestion, but those words were an order I wouldn’t mind obeying in the least.

“I will.”

He kissed my fingertip. “When do you have to go in?” he asked, rubbing the back of my hand down his bristly jaw.

“Ten. What time is it now?”

He craned his neck to look over his shoulder at the alarm clock on the bedside table. “Nine.”

“I need to get moving,” I said, but I didn’t budge. “Thank you.” I gazed into his dark chocolate-like eyes, butterflies taking to flight in my stomach. “For everything.”

“There’s nothing I wouldn’t give to keep you safe—and thank you for allowing me to love on your beautiful body.”

Warmth flushed through me.

“You’re coming back here after work,” he said, snuggling down lower against me, burying his face in my neck, his scruff tickling me.

“Yes.”

“And we’ll talk about getting your belongings out of Stephen’s house tonight.”

I sobered real quick at the thought of that necessary showdown. Having Daniel at my side would make things a million times easier. “Okay.”

With a groan, Daniel rolled away from me and climbed off the bed.

My gaze was glued to his ass as he walked across the room, every step flexing his muscular cheeks.

“Thought you needed to get going,” he said with a chuckle, bending to grab a pair of jeans from a drawer.

“Yeah.” I scooted off his bed and grabbed the T-shirt he’d given me the night before. “Did you happen to throw my clothes in the dryer, or am I going to be late?” I asked, pulling it over my head.

“I snuck out to do it after you fell asleep last night. You are so beautiful.”

I caught his stare and blushed. Never had a man been so liberal with his compliments. If not for the lust in his eyes and the fact he’d already had me in his bed, I would have sworn he lied.

A tumult of emotions rolled over me, thickening my throat. “You’re the sexiest, sweetest man I’ve ever met,” I whispered and hurried to the bathroom before he saw the moisture gathering in my eyes.

With the rising of the sun and physical distance from Daniel, reality and a slew of thoughts slammed into my brain. I grabbed hold of the sink to keep myself upright. Stephen would be livid I hadn’t been home when he’d returned from the liquor store. Had he drunk himself into a stupor? Driven around searching for me? Called the cops?

I chewed the inside of my lip, thinking about work. Would he show up at the coffee shop and cause problems? Closing my eyes, I drew a deep breath, trying to calm my heightened pulse. I would focus on serving customers, hurry back to Daniel, then deal with the Stephen situation with my Sir’s help. Maybe even the police.

God knew I wouldn’t have the strength to handle it on my own, no matter how much I wanted to.

“Cream and sugar in your coffee, right?” Daniel called through the bathroom door.

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