Page 48 of What Happened Last Night

Will

The storm had ended before dawn, but the power went out again, then came back. Then went out again. A glance out the windows showed me a soaked world outside under gray sky. There were fallen tree branches at the foot of the driveway. The power came on yet again as I walked to the kitchen.

I’d left Luna sprawled naked in my bed upstairs, her curls tousled as she slept deeply. It was a delicious sight. I let myself stare for only a moment before I pulled my sweatpants and tee on, washed up in the bathroom, and went downstairs.

With the power on, I started the coffee maker. Then I stealthily prowled the house, not waking Luna as I picked up the clothes she’d discarded last night—her jeans and underwear in the bedroom, her top in the bedroom doorway, her socks by the front door. She hadn’t brought an overnight bag, so I put her clothes in the washing machine in the laundry room, searching the cupboards for detergent. I puzzled over her bra, racking my brain about whether women’s bras were supposed to go in the washing machine or not. The bra was lacy and expensive, and I didn’t want to risk it, so I washed the other clothes and left the bra folded neatly on top of the machine.

Luna had said something about a supply cupboard in the laundry room. One cupboard was locked, but there was a key tucked inside the detergent scoop. I unlocked the cupboard and searched the contents to find a new toothbrush and a half-used bottle of fancy conditioner. I took a razor, just in case. I also found the box of condoms she’d mentioned. I thought that over. I didn’t want to use up the McQueens’ generous supply of birth control, but it was probably best to stay off the roads and out of the stores, at least for today. I’d replace their box for them before I went home. I took the box from the cupboard and closed it again.

I took a clean bath towel and washcloth from the linen closet, then put the supplies in the upstairs bathroom for Luna to find when she woke up. I already had toothpaste, shampoo, and soap for her to use. I hoped I wasn’t missing anything she’d need.

Downstairs, I poured a big cup of coffee and drank deeply. My phone was powered and there was a signal, so I quickly checked the weather and the local news. As I’d suspected, the storm had passed but there were fallen trees, blocked roads, and power problems throughout Bend. The authorities urged people to stay home if possible. I was fully stocked with food for at least the next few days.

I tapped my phone dark again without checking my email. I had no desire to think about work.

In the light of morning, I still couldn’t quite believe Luna was here, that she’d driven all the way here to see me, that we’d ended up in bed. I should be confused. I should be panicking. I should, at the very least, be second guessing myself, regretting what an animal I’d been, wondering what I’d say to her when she woke up.

I felt none of those things. Not a single one. The only thing I felt was clarity. I was certain that I’d done exactly the right thing, and I wouldn’t change a fucking second of it.

The washing machine played a digital tune that said it was finished, so I moved Luna’s clothes to the dryer. My brain was awake now.

Fact one, last night had been incredible. Full stop.

Fact two, I’d been a beast, and Luna hadn’t minded. She’d seemed to like it. I’d never been like that with a woman before. I’d never wanted a woman like I’d wanted her last night. I wanted to do that again. A lot.

Fact three, Luna might start worrying when she woke up. I’d have to calm her down if that happened.

Fact four, I needed to think of a solution to our situation.

That there was a solution, I had no doubt. I thought it over as I ransacked the fridge. Upstairs, I heard the shower turn on.

Fifteen minutes later, I had whisked enough eggs for two cheese omelettes. I was standing at the counter, slicing fruit, when Luna appeared in the doorway. She wore a bathrobe and her hair was damp. She paused and watched me, her gaze pleased and a little shy.

I stopped what I was doing and looked at her. She was fucking gorgeous, her skin glowing, a drop of water resting on her collarbone. I stared at her openly, remembering every inch of her hiding under that robe. I was amazed that I’d ever worked with this woman, that I’d kept my composure for as long as I had.

The silence stretched out, and I realized she was staring at me, too. She was fixed on my torso, even though I wore a T-shirt. I wasn’t a bulked-up gym bro, but I exercised often enough, and she seemed to like what she was looking at.

Finally, Luna cleared her throat. “Thank you for the supplies,” she said.

I didn’t even pretend to cut fruit anymore. I had put the knife down, and I stood staring. “You’re welcome.”

“You found the key to the supply cabinet, I guess.”

“I did. I cracked the security system with my advanced intellect.”

“Impressive.”

“I know.”

She smiled a little, and then her gaze dropped to my chest again, as if she was seeing my tattoo with X-ray vision. She bit her lip.

That small gesture did me in. “Luna,” I said, my voice dropping.

“Will,” she replied, but she didn’t raise her eyes. Now that we had permission to stare at each other, it seemed that neither of us could stop.

I moved around the kitchen island toward her. “The roads are bad today,” I said.

“Right,” she replied. Her gaze moved to my collarbones, my throat.

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