One minute she was curled up in his arms, the next there was a heavy weight on his chest and he was gasping for air.
Jim shoved off the sheets, relieved to see he’d managed to avoid shredding them this time. Only familiar thing? Lillie was gone, and gone for long enough her spot was cool to the touch.
How did she manage to get out of bed without him noticing?
Thankfully, this time when he stomped into the living room, she was sitting there, a computer open on the coffee table as she bounced her head in time with a quietly playing music video.
His gaze darted to the corner of the room. Suitcases were stacked neatly in the corner, each large enough for an extended trip. Good-quality fabric, and Jim tucked the information away for future consideration. He was more interested in making sure she was happy for the time they got to be together.
It was only right.
She glanced up as he paced forward, that shy smile spreading over her face as she rose. “Hey. You’re finally awake, sleepyhead.”
He glanced at the clock. “It’s only seven a.m.”
“Half the day is practically gone.” She tucked herself against him, curling her arms around his back and lifting her face to be kissed. He had no objections whatsoever, falling into her soft touch for a couple of moments.
When she stepped away, he took a closer look to see what she was wearing. “You snuck into my wardrobe.”
Lillie glanced down at the plain white shirt she wore, the tails hanging past her knees. A mischievous smile greeted him as she headed toward the kitchen. “Would you like some coffee? I made a pot.”
“You could have called for butler service, you know.” Trailing after her was only logical, since it meant he got to look at her legs. “We’re getting you a different sleep shirt. That one covers too much of your ass.”
She paused in the middle of pouring him a coffee. “But if I take off the shirt, we’ll never leave the suite.”
Jim thought about her comment for a good long time—all the way until he took his first sip of coffee. “Nope. Just can’t see the trouble in that.”
Lillie poked his side gently as she passed him, curling her fingers around his hip. “Well, I have plans for the day. And if you want, you can come along, but otherwise I’ll meet you for dinner. It’s up to you.”
She wasn’t getting out of his sight. Not only because she still had all that extra cash on her, but because—
Just because.
It’s Wednesday already, dude. Time’s a ticking.
Shut up. It’s only Wednesday.
“What are your plans?” He settled beside her on the couch, his legs on either side of her body as she sat on the floor and opened a website.
“Look.” She tapped on the screen. “I already contacted them, and there’s a class at ten, so there’s time for breakfast before we go. Before I go. Whatever.”
Jim looked closer at the website, trailing his fingers through her hair as he examined the pictures. She hummed happily as he stroked the long tresses back over her shoulder and into a bundle. “Dance lessons. You mentioned that yesterday. Don’t they have lessons where you come from?”
She stiffened, and he pressed his fingers to her scalp, rubbing until her body relaxed. “Not this kind of dancing.”
He was far more interested in touching her than examining the details on the screen. “You have a hairbrush with you?” he asked.
She uncurled herself from the floor and headed to one of the smaller suitcases, opening the side pouch and pulling out a bristly object. “I think I have a bunch of knots,” she warned.
“Probably,” he said, resettling her between his knees. “You should have grabbed your brush sooner, but I’ll take care of you.”
He worked slowly, one section at a time, holding the molten mass in his hand and carefully working out each tangle. She leaned on his legs, her arms curled around his shins as she allowed him to move her head as he needed. Brush after brush, the small tangles pulled to shimmering lines of copper, until the morning sunlight burst in the window. Then he was brushing a fistful of sunbeams, sparkling jewels tangling around his fingers as he worked the bristles through again and again.
Sensual, and yet not. After all the sexual fun they’d experienced, in some ways this moment felt the most intimate. They were quiet together, no words needed as he cared for her and she trusted him.
When she sighed happily, closing the cover on her computer, Jim pulled her into his lap. Lillie tucked herself against his chest.