Pleasures of the Night(33)
Lyssa snorted. “Since when is hot monkey sex weird?”
“True.”
“Weird to me is when the doorbell rings and the most delicious man you’ve ever seen walks in, kisses you senseless, and then camps out on your couch.”
“Oh my god!” Stacey squealed, forcing Lyssa to hold the phone away from her ear. “Chad finally got you to let him spend the night?! Go, you! Or go, Chad!”
“Uh…no. It’s not Chad,” she whispered furiously, cupping her hand over her mouth and receiver.
The stunned silence on the other end made Lyssa wince.
“Wow…” Stacey gave a surprised little laugh. “No judgment here, but you know I’m dying of curiosity. Who’s the hunk on the couch?”
“Well…you see…That’s the thing. I’m not sure.”
“You’re not sure? Some unknown, good-looking guy came to your door, kissed you, and now he’s sitting on your couch? Yeah, that’s weird all right. I’m jealous. Shit like that never happens to me. Where’s my hunk delivery?”
Sighing, Lyssa looked at her notepad and froze, shocked to her toes to see Aidan’s smiling face staring back at her. My god…
“All kidding aside, Doc,” Stacey whispered conspiratorially, as if Aidan might hear her. “Do you want me to call the cops? Or are you pulling my leg?”
Lyssa traced the drawn shape of the blatantly sensual lips she’d managed to capture so well. A childhood therapist had encouraged her to take art classes, saying the ability to commit her thoughts to paper might help her to remember her dreams and share them with her mother. It hadn’t worked for the purposes intended, but drawing was soothing to her, and she fell into the habit often.
“Lyssa? Is everything okay?”
“I feel like it is,” she said absently, her heart racing, making her feel dizzier than she already was. “I mean, common sense says no, but…”
“But what? You’re killing me!”
Sliding off the bar stool again, Lyssa straightened her shoulders. “Everything else says ’yes.’”
“Okay, listen. You take a picture of this guy and then hide your camera in your car. Stick a note in the bag with his name—Oh! Can you get his wallet?”
“Stacey!” Lyssa laughed. “I think he’s okay. Jelly Bean loves him.” She stared at the sofa, where JB slept in Aidan’s lap like an angel…
Are you an angel?
No, darling. I’m not.
“No way,” Stacey scoffed. “JB doesn’t like anyone, not even Justin, and everyone loves my kid.”
“He’s a great kid.” Suddenly Lyssa’s smile was genuine. Something inside her knew the man in her living room—and liked him. A lot. “I’m going to get off here, Stace. See you at ten?”
“I better. If you don’t show up to work, I’m coming over with the National Guard. What’s this guy’s name anyway?”
“Aidan Cross.”
“I like it! Sounds edible.”
“He is.” Lyssa rounded the counter and bent to pick up the Tylenol. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
“I’ll expect to hear everything, Doc.”
“Yeah, yeah. Bye.” Hitting the off button, Lyssa set the handset on the granite top and filled a glass with chilled water dispensed through the fridge door. Then she moved to the living room and knelt on the floor next to the couch.
Leaning forward, she touched Aidan, unable to help herself. She ran a hand through the short lock of hair that hung over his forehead, and his eyes fluttered open.
A soft smile curved his lips. “I’m glad to be here with you.”
“Charmer.” She swallowed down the lump in her throat. If it weren’t for the fierce intelligence in those dark sapphire eyes, she would think he might be a little touched in the head. Hot guys weren’t usually so sweet. “I bet you say that to all the ladies you barge in on.”
“I’ve never said that to anyone in my life, Hot Stuff.”
“Stop it. You’re making me sappy.”
The feeling of déjà vu struck her again.
“Promise me…” Aidan yawned while reaching for her hand. “Promise me you’ll eat something while I nap. And don’t fall asleep.”
Her brows arched. “No?”
He shook his head, his gaze intent on her face. “No. Stay awake until I get up.”
“Okay.” She cupped his cheek and felt his high temperature, just before he shivered violently. “But you have to promise to take these.”
Shaking two tablets out of the bottle and into her hand, Lyssa made him swallow them, despite his wince of displeasure, then she arranged him on the couch and covered him with her throw. JB moved up to his standard spot on the armrest with an irritated flick of his tail.