“How are you still single?” she blurts.
“Still waiting to find her.”
“Find who?” she asks, tilting her head to the side.
“My everything.”
Callista nods as if she understands all too well what I’m referring to. We finish eating in silence; both of us lost in our thoughts.
“I’m stuffed,” she says, pushing her plate away from her.
“Me too,” I agree. Between the two of us eating off each other’s plates, we’ve consumed a good amount of food. “I’m going to take care of the check.”
“I’m going to hit the bathroom again, just for good measure.” She reaches for her purse and pulls out her wallet.
“No.” I shake my head. “This is on me. I’m going to pay and use the restroom too, and I’ll meet you in the car.” I hand her the keys to the rental.
“Thank you, Silas.”
I want to tell her there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for her. After years of lusting for her, I’m finally at a place where I’m tired of wanting her from afar. I need to make my move, but first, I need to decide what that move is.
Chapter Five
CALLISTA
“Are you sure that you don’t want to stop?” I ask Silas.
“Nope. We’ve got maybe fifty miles to go. I’m going to push through.”
“We can stop. I feel bad that you’ve done all of the driving. You have to be exhausted.” He reaches over and places his hand on my thigh.
“I’m good, babe.”
It’s three in the morning, and I’m beat, but hearing him call me babe, accompanied by his touch, and I feel more alive, more awake than ever before. Without thinking about it, I place my hand on top of his and fold my fingers through his. I don’t know what this means. Maybe he’s just being extra friendly, but this trip has felt different. I feel like I know him better than I know myself after our hours of conversation.
“You can sleep, Callista. I’ll get you home safe. I promise.”
“It’s not that I don’t trust you. I just feel guilty. You can’t sleep, so I shouldn’t be able to either.”
“Close your eyes, beautiful. I’ll wake you when we get there.” His voice is soft. Soothing.
Settling back in the seat, I turn my head to face him. The glow of the lights from the dash gives me a muted view of his strong angular jawline and the scruff that’s covering his face. His hair is mussed, and I want to run my hands through it. That’s my last thought as the exhaustion I’ve been fighting finally claims me.
“Wake up, baby,” a gruff voice whispers. I’m not sure if I’m dreaming or if the sexy voice is real. It’s not until I feel a press of lips against my forehead that I know I’m not dreaming. My eyes flutter open. “There she is,” Silas says softly. “We’re at your place.”
“I’m sorry I fell asleep.”
“Don’t be. Come on. I’ll carry your stuff in.” He climbs out of the car, and I grab my purse and coat and do the same. I don’t bother putting it back on. Instead, I gather it in my arms to ward off the chill of the early morning air.
“Grab yours too,” I tell Silas. “You’ve been driving for more hours than I care to count right now. You can crash here tonight.”
“It’s only another—” He starts, but the look I give him stops him. “Are you sure?”
“Absolutely. Come on. It’s freezing out here.” Together, we make our way up the steps to my small two-bedroom ranch-style home. I’m terrible with keys, so Brody and Silas installed keyless entry for me two summers ago. I quickly key in the code and rush to turn off the alarm. A woman living alone, you can never be too careful. In fact, it was Brody and Silas who convinced me of that as well.
Once we’re inside and the door is shut, I take a deep breath and offer him my hand. He doesn’t hesitate to take it. He allows me to lead him back to my room. “We’re both exhausted,” I say by way of explanation. “It’s a king, plenty of room for both of us.” My spare bedroom is an office. I’ve been meaning to get a bed to put in there, or a pull-out sofa or something. Now, I’m glad I didn’t.
“Okay.”
“Okay,” I repeat. “I’m going to use the restroom. Make yourself at home.” I disappear into the bathroom across the hall. I take care of business and grab the nightshirt I slept in the night before I flew out to Michigan. I only wore it one night, and I’m too exhausted to go back to my room, get something to sleep in, and then back here to change. It will have to do. Changed, I turn off the light. I stand in the dark room with my hand on the doorknob, willing my heart to slow its rhythm. He’s not here for me. He just needs a place to sleep, and his tall frame would not be comfortable on the couch. After that long-ass trip, we both need a soft, comfortable bed to sleep in. I’m an adult. I can handle sleeping next to a sexy man and not attack him.
I think.
“All yours if you need it,” I tell Silas, not making eye contact with him.
“Thanks, babe.” He gives my shoulder a gentle squeeze as he passes me.
As soon as the bathroom door closes, I dive for the bed and burrow under the covers. The overhead light is still on, but Silas will get it. I can’t believe I’m about to sleep next to him. Sure, it’s innocent, and we’re both drained from the trip, but still… Silas Taylor is sleeping in my bed!
“You need anything?” he asks, pulling me out of my thoughts.
“No. All set. Can you get the light?” No sooner than the words are out of my mouth, the room is bathed in darkness. I can hear his footsteps as he pads to the opposite side of the bed. There’s a dip in the mattress as he climbs under the covers.
“Night, beautiful.” His gruff voice echoes throughout the room.
“Goodnight.” My words are barely a whisper, but in the quiet of the room, I’m sure he heard me. I’m exhausted, and being able to stretch out on my bed, snuggled under the covers, feels incredible after the long stressful drive we just did. However, as I lie here staring up at the ceiling watching the shadows dance, I can’t seem to fall asleep. It’s as if my body is aware that the guy who always seems untouchable is next to me. I don’t know how long I lie here with my mind racing. It’s not until I feel the bed move that I shut my eyes and roll over, facing away from him. I don’t want him to know that his presence is affecting me the way that it is.
It turns out it was a wrong move. If I hadn’t turned away, I would have known what was coming next. I startle as I feel his arm come around me when he aligns his chest to my back. I feel his lips press to my cheek as he sighs and snuggles even closer. My body is still and rigid, but as his hand settles on my hip, and his breathing evens out, mine does as well. I’ve thought about something like this with him more times than I care to admit. I know it’s not real—it’s the exhaustion of the trip—but for tonight, I’m going to pretend like this is our future.
“Better than I imagined,” his sleep-laced voice mumbles.