Page 47

“Drew. You awake?”

“Mmph.”

“I’ve got to get to the studio soon,” I said regretfully.

As much as I wanted to play hooky, I couldn’t afford to flake on my students.

He hugged me closer. “Mmph.”

The hand on my hip slowly slid down my quad, and I stilled, holding my breath. Would he snake that hand between my legs? Slip beneath the drawstring on my pajama bottoms? I clenched my thighs. It did nothing to fill the aching void there. His palm traced back up my thigh to my waist, the leisurely move leaving a trail of fire in its wake.

“Drew.”

Maybe it was the urgency in my tone he responded to. “Baby… what’s wrong?” He sounded drowsy and still half-asleep.

“I need… to get ready for work.”

Drew released me, rolling onto his back and extending his arms overhead in one big stretch. The move showcased every dip and valley from his waist to his impressive shoulders. Never had I wished more that I only had to play a responsible adult on TV, instead of paying my very real bills.

“Morning, honey.”

Two endearments before breakfast? Be still my heart.

“Good morning.”

He blinked sleepily at me, dark eyes drawing me in. They swirled with a tenderness that made my heart stop, pausing like a frightened doe before bounding ahead. He yawned, the kind accompanied by a full-body stretch that seemed to go on forever.Not moving, I stared at him like I’d never seen another human being before. He covered another yawn with one muscled forearm.

“Didn’t you say you have class?”

I sprang from bed, cursing softly. A glance at my smart watch reassured me that I still had time to make my first session, but it’d be tight.

“Sorry you have to rush off. I like waking up with you.”

His sweet smile made me want to crawl right back into bed.Damn adult responsibilities.

I gathered a fresh set of clothes from my drawers. I owed him way more than easy sex. He’d been kind enough not to pry last night, but he deserved answers.

Drew met me in the kitchen after I’d dressed, extending a mug. “Your coffee. I thought you could drink it while I walk you down the hill.”

“Thanks.” I inhaled deeply, the smell enough to get a few more brain synapses firing. “The neighbors are going to talk if you walk me to work in last night’s clothes.”

“Let ‘em. You’re not going alone.”

The brisk morning wind stung my face as we walked toward the studio, and I huddled into my jacket, glad of the mug to warm my hands. Drew ambled beside me, seeming impervious to the cold morning in just his flannel from last night.

“What time are you done for the day?” he asked.

“Four.”

He slouched against the wall beside me as I unlocked the studio, giving me a charming grin. “I’ll be back to walk you home then.”

“You don’t have to do that,” I protested, flustered. I hadn’t meant to make him feel responsible for me. It reeked of emotional manipulation, and I’d had more than enough of thatfrom my family. “You have your own work and things to do. I’ll be fine.”

“ButIwon’t be.”

Any thoughts of reasserting my independence faded. His dark gaze drilled into me, the sincerity plain on his face.

“Tonight, then.”