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I laughed to myself, shaking my head. Shoving the phone back in my pocket, I searched through the cupboards until I found the coffee and got it ready.

While it was perking, I leaned against the counter when a movement caught my eye. Ainsley was coming down the hall toward me, rubbing her eyes.

My body stirred. She was wearing pajama shorts and a tank top. She must have changed some time during the night after she went to bed. I hadn’t seen her in that little amount of clothing before. She usually wore baggy clothes. While she wasn’t dressed up and her hair was a mess around her head, she was fucking flawless.

Clearing my throat, I waited for her eyes, needing them on me.

Her gaze landed on me, her eyes widening.

“Morning. You didn’t check your phone, did you?”

She shook her head.

“I texted you that I was spending the night. Didn’t want to drive after all that wine, so I slept on the couch.”

She nodded, giving me a small smile.Sleep okay?she asked, closing the final bit of distance between us.

I grabbed her hands, wrapped mine around them, and brought them up to my mouth.

Her lips parted, her eyes staring into mine.

“Knowing you were near,” I kissed her fingertips, “helped me sleep.”

So many questions danced behind her eyes at my confession. I had no idea what was going on with me or why this woman affected me the way she did but I couldn’t control it. There was something about her that I needed. Something dark, strong, so damn strong, that I would spend the rest of my days searching for it if I had to.

“I made coffee,” I told her, releasing her hands and putting some distance between us before I did something she wasn’t ready for.

Thank you,she signed. She grabbed a mug, made her coffee, and went to the balcony door. She looked at me over her shoulder, waiting, and like a good little boy I followed.

***



















(Ainsley)

To say I was surprisedto see Cyrus again that morning, would be an understatement. But the fact that he didn’t want to drink and drive, even though he didn’t have that much wine, made me respect him even more.

When I went to the balcony, I hoped he would get the hint and he did. I was thankful for that because I didn’t want him to leave just yet. I enjoyed spending time with him. Even though our friendship was new, I still considered him just that. I never met someone who was as patient as him. We kissed a few times and I found that I wanted more. No, I needed it.