‘I’m not naked, so come here. I want to sleep with you.’
First hurdles first, Lizzie concluded. Could she get into bed without touching him? Her throat dried as she watched Chico’s impressive muscles flexing as he shifted position to make room for her on the bed. Hadn’t he listened to a single word she’d said? She was tired—exhausted—and badly in need of not being hurt.
‘Lizzie...’
As Chico held out his hand she hesitated, and then climbed in, or, more accurately, she sank boneless with exhaustion into the bed at his side. She tensed briefly when Chico put his arms around her and drew her close, but he felt so good, so safe and warm, and she was so very tired...
‘Sleep,’ he murmured, stroking the hair back from her brow.
‘You really mean it,’ she managed groggily as her eyelids grew impossibly heavy. ‘You really want to sleep with me.’
‘Of course I want to sleep with you. I love you, Lizzie Fane.’
Was that a dream, or had Chico really said that? It was the last thing she remembered until she woke up at dawn.
* * *
Was this a dream? If it was a dream, it was the best dream ever. It was a comfortable, sleepy dream that comprised of nothing but sensation. And what sensation...
‘Chico,’ she whispered, relishing his touch. Brushing against her, he was dealing the most exquisite pleasure...pleasure that should go on and on. She never wanted this to end. Did she have to wake up? ‘Am I dreaming?’
‘I don’t know. Are you dreaming?’ Chico murmured, smiling against her mouth.
‘Don’t talk,’ she whispered. ‘It distracts me.’ She sighed with pleasure as he continued the gentle, rhythmic strokes so carefully placed, and so dependably accurate. ‘If this is a dream, please don’t wake me up.’
‘You’ll have to wake up at some point.’ As he said this Chico settled deep and did something amazing that made warm sudsy sensation wash over her as the dam broke.
‘I think you’re awake now,’ he observed with amusement when she had finally quietened.
‘Can I go to sleep now, and wake up again just like that?’
She opened her eyes reluctantly when Chico didn’t answer, to see him smiling down into her face.
‘Good morning, Lizzie.’
‘That was such a great way to wake up. And, you, braced on your forearms—that’s not a bad sight, either. Do we really have to get up now?’
‘Unfortunately, yes. I have business today.’
‘Business?’ She was wide awake instantly. As awake as if she’d stepped under a cold shower.
Will this business take you away for long? she longed to ask him, but Chico had done enough for her, and hadn’t she vowed to make her own life? What more did she want from him?
Everything?
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
THE HOUSE FELT so empty now Chico had gone, so she got busy. She had business to attend to.