Chapter 10
STERLING
Unlike many, I don’t sleep much. My mind is always busy. I like to draw at night to keep myself busy. Last night was different. Once June was warm enough, I fell asleep, with her in my arms. There’s something about the way her body molds against mine that gives me a sense of peace and calm.
What is it about her that makes me act differently?
So different that I had to break the only rule I have with hookups—and between us. No names, no repeats.
How am I going to explain to her how I found her? Talking about stalkers, I just behaved like one but it wasn’t my intention whatsoever.
I tried to forget her, to push away the urgent desire to seek her.
But how can I when our time together was unforgettable?
I needed to see her again—have her again.
It was a great night, but we are different people.
She seems like the kind of woman who is attached to her family and wants a future.
I only care about … what do I even care about?
In the morning, she remains nestled between my arms. I talk myself out of waking her up with a kiss and trying to seduce her. She’s gorgeous and just waking up next to her is a treat and a temptation.
Why are you so special, gorgeous?
She confuses the fuck out of me. It’s not the lust; but the wish of remaining by her side. I want to wake up next to her every morning and be able to just slide inside her.
Can I make it happen?
Maybe, once we have a long discussion and we settle things between us.
I’ll propose a new arrangement. But what if she says, fuck you or worse; I want more from you—or any man who wants to be with me.
My head is about to explode with so many questions.
Never in my life had I put so much thought into something other than my art, let alone someone.
Pushing away all this madness, I decide to start my day. Before I head to the gym, I leave a note on the nightstand.
Good morning, beautiful.
There’re some clothes on top of the credenza. Feel free to take a shower. Make sure to set the temperature to warm. I’m still concerned about last night. Come downstairs when you’re ready. I’ll have breakfast waiting.
SA
Since the blizzard continues and I can’t get her flowers, I make a few flowers with paper and leave them on the nightstand. Again, what the fuck is wrong with me?
I turn toward my bed and admire June. There’s nothing wrong with her. She’s just perfect and hopefully mine for the rest of the year.
JUNE
I can’t decide if it was the best dream of my entire life, a nightmare, or if it was some kind of hallucination. My head pounds and I’m hoping yesterday didn’t happen and I’m still in my apartment running late.
Lying to myself for a few more minutes only works for so long, but can anyone blame me?
I thought I was going to die. This bed makes me feel like I’ve landed in heaven.
The scent of the sheets and the softness is inviting.
When I have the strength to open my eyes, I realize the room is dark, the sheets are softer than mine, and there’s the familiar scent of cedar, citrus, and musk. It is sexy and definitely not mine.
Where am I and what happened?
Going through yesterday’s events, I remember exactly what happened. I went to the office, made sure my staff knew how to contact me and delegated my tasks. I flew to Denver, it’s freezing cold, and … I almost died.
All because I locked the car and my phone’s battery was drained. Did someone rescue me?
Not a smart move, Juniper Spearman. You were a few minutes away from dying. The cold had seemed mild at first. I prayed the management company would arrive soon. Until my face and hands felt numb. Next thing I knew the bitter cold had spread across my skin.
I haven’t prayed in my life so hard for a miracle—and it’s not even Christmas. Then, there was that dream with the little kids. A boy and two girls.
To add to my madness, the guy I slept with during Thanksgiving week was there too. It felt as if he came to my rescue.
I smell the pillow next to me and it smells like him. Either it’s Thanksgiving week or I’m in the twilight zone. I have no idea where I am. What in the world happened to me? Why am I just wearing my panties and a T-shirt? A shirt that just like the entire room smells like him.
My heart races fast because I really can’t remember much from last night other than my dreams. Those cute little babies were just adorable.
I touch my belly and smile because in just a couple of days one of those kids might be growing inside me but wouldn’t it be wonderful if they’re at least twins?
Either way, I’m hoping for a Christmas miracle.
Dreaming about my future sounds amazing but I stop myself because I’ve no idea where I’m at and if I’m safe. I push myself up and sit on the bed trying to see if I recognize the place, but I don’t. There’s a note on the nightstand.
I read it a couple of times. Who is SA and since when do I go home with strangers?
There’s no phone in the room. I look around and other than guy’s clothing in the closet it doesn’t have any personal items. Do color pencils and charcoals count?
Taking a shower sounds like a good idea. I lock the bedroom’s door from the inside while I try to find something around that tells me who owns this place.
I don’t find anything. It’s like whoever owns it is an art aficionado. When I enter the bathroom, I’m impressed. The shower alone has a panel with more than a hundred options where I can regulate the water temperature, pressure, and direction. There’s even a massage option.
This isn’t my finest moment. Nothing will top this shit. Not that anyone will find out what happened to me. Nope.
I can hear Alex saying, “Remember that time Junie almost froze to death trying to avoid us?”
He can be so irritating. I hate when he calls me Junie. As if he’s much older. We’re only eleven months apart.
After I’m done showering, I turn off the water, grab a towel, and step out on the mat. The floors feel warm. My body isn’t numb anymore, actually, I feel rested.
I finally take a better look at the luxurious bathroom. The white and black tile on the walls is elegant. Very classy. The shower is huge. I could practice barre or yoga before a shower if I wanted to.
I step into the bedroom and look at the clothes SA left on the credenza. The sweats and the long-sleeve T-shirt are a few sizes bigger than mine but they’re warm and comfortable. There’s also a pair of fuzzy socks. They’re soft and will do the job to warm my feet.
After I dress, the masculine scent becomes stronger. Whatever fragrance SA uses is rich, sexy, and sensual. Musk, cedar wood, a hint of sandalwood, and … something else. I hug the clothes, feeling different. Warmer that’s for sure.
They remind me so much of … my eyes widen when I spot a set of origami flowers laying on the nightstand. It’s the same guy from that night, but how?
My pulse accelerates. Not sure if it’s sheer panic because I can’t remember last night or anxiety because I’m seeing him again.
Going back into the bathroom, I find a brush inside the drawers and a hairdryer. This guy is ready for visitors because there’re baby products too. My heart skips a beat as I think about babies and children. They are the reason my heart is breaking and I’m not thinking straight.
God, what was I thinking yesterday?
Once I’m mentally prepared to face him, I need to know how I arrived here and what happened to me. This is worse than getting drunk and why am I not anxious and worried?
I head downstairs but stop in the middle of the staircase when I spot him. He’s in the living room. One hand holding a phone and the other combing his hair as he paces. Taking a better look at him, I realize it wasn’t a dream. The guy rescued me last night.
He’s still hot as fuck. His hair is brown, tousled, in need of a good haircut. His green eyes find mine and he grins at me. That smirk steals my breath away and makes my heart skip a beat.
The entire night we spent together replays inside my head. His searing kisses, the way his hands touched me. I had no idea that I’ve missed him. But I definitely want a repeat, not that I should. I’m not even sure why I have all these unknown emotions suddenly sprouting.
It was supposed to be just a once in a lifetime thing between us.
Why is he back in my life? And why am I here?