“That’s two seconds I don’t have.”
She rolled her eyes but still seemed amused. “Maybe you have everything worked out, and I should be more like you.”
My eyes moved to her face.
“What’s the point of going on date after date if I don’t meet anyone worthwhile? At least if I did it your way, I would feel satisfied the next morning.”
That was the last thing I wanted for her. “No.”
She turned her eyes on me.
“You’re too good for that. Believe me, you would just be more miserable. You’re classy, and you should stay that way. Guys will only use you and never remember your name.”
“And I would use them back.”
A protective side of me emerged, and I wasn’t even sure where it came from. “No.” That was all I said, and I didn’t need to say anything else.
She held my gaze for a moment before she looked away. “I guess I’m going to try to get back to sleep…”
I didn’t want to leave. When I was with her, I didn’t think about all the shit in my life. I didn’t think about my dad lying in the hallway looking half dead. And I didn’t think about my frail mom cowering away from his raised hand. Francesca made me feel at peace. “I should probably go too. Thank you for the muffin.”
“Of course. You’re just lucky I haven’t started charging you.” She rose from the table and pulled her hair over one shoulder.
“I’d be broke if you did.” I stared at the hollow of her throat and imagined placing kisses there. Her skin tasted so sweet, like honey. Every time I looked at her front door, I remembered that night when I almost had her. A part of me wished I’d gone all the way. But a bigger part of me was thankful I did the right thing.
She smiled. “I guess you’re right.” When her green eyes met mine, there seemed to be longing deep within them. It was like she wanted me to stay but refused to admit it.
I wanted to stay too.
“I can sit by your bedside until you fall asleep.” The offer came from nowhere, and I didn’t think twice about it. The thought hadn’t even entered my mind before I blurted it out.
“You would do that?”
I would do anything for you. “Come on.” I headed to the hallway and waited for her to lead the way.
She gave me one final look before she walked in front of me and entered her bedroom. The walls were painted gray and there was white trimming. Her bedspread was yellow and her furniture was white. It fit her personality perfectly.
She got into bed then turned off the light. She lay on her side and faced me, her soft hair scattered around the pillow. I wanted to crawl into bed and kiss her lips until they were puckered and red. I wanted to roll around in her sheets and make her moan for me. My dick hardened just from thinking about it.
There was a chair right beside her bed so I took a seat.
She turned her gaze on me. “Want to read me a story?”
“Will that help you sleep?”
She nodded. “My dad used to do it all the time.”
I looked at her nightstand and saw a stack of books. One caught my attention. “The Hobbit?”
“It’s good. Have you read it?”
“No. But I’m surprised you have.”
“Why?” She pulled the sheet to her shoulder.
“Isn’t it about dragons and magic and stuff?”
“So?”
I flipped through the pages. “I didn’t realize you were into that.”
“I read everything. You name it, and I’ve probably read it.”
The idea of her reading about dwarves going on an adventure tugged at my heart in a way I couldn’t explain.
“If you’re tired, you can just lay here with me. Usually when someone else is in my bed, I’m a lot more comfortable.”
Did she share her bed often? Why did I care? Without thinking, I kicked off my shoes and lay on the opposite side of the bed. I couldn’t believe I did it until it was already done. Her bed felt even smaller now that I was in it. The sheets were soft, even through my shirt and jeans.
Francesca turned over and faced me, but she stayed on her side of the bed. Her eyes searched mine like she could see something I was trying to hide. “I know you didn’t come over here to eat a muffin. And I know you didn’t come over here because you couldn’t sleep.”
My heart skipped a beat.
“I know something is bothering you. Your eyes give you away.”
Could she read me that easily?
“I know you don’t want to talk about it so I’m not going to ask. But I want you to know I’m here for you.” Her hand moved to mine and she closed her eyes. “Just like how you’re here for me now.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
Francesca
I leaned back and tossed the coffee bean into the air. It soared toward the ceiling then came back to earth. My mouth was open and I tried to catch it, but I missed and it bounced off my chin. “Dammit.” I tossed another one into the air and made another attempt.
“I need to talk to you.” Marie stormed into the café while tying her apron around her waist.
“Hold on. I’ll get it this time.”
She snatched the coffee beans out of my hand. “This is serious.”