Page 100 of Rogue's Path

I open my eyes and sit up. “You make a pretty comfortable pillow.” I didn’t even notice falling asleep in his arms while we were watching a movie. The remains from dinner are still spread across the coffee table in front of us.

“Then we’ll have to do it again soon.”

Very soon. But I’m not telling him that yet. The man doesn’t need any more assistance playing the game. “And just so you know, I’m a morning person. Do you think we’ll ever find a difference?”

“Maybe.”

“You don’t think so either. If this were a romance novel, people would say we’re boring.” And sickeningly sweet.

“Nothing about us is boring. Bad things don’t need to happen to keep things exciting.”

They do in books. “Would you order me something light, like a yogurt and some fruit?”

“You eat healthy foods?” He sounds surprised.

“Most of the time. Mainly because I’m too lazy to make anything complex. A piece of meat and a salad work for me dinner. Though I like delivery as well.”

“There aren’t many places that deliver in Silent Valley.”

“We could take turns cooking.” Did I just say that? It sure sounds like I was talking about moving in together.

“Sounds good to me.”

Why do I encourage him?

***

We stop at the top of a spring-fed stream. The cold air brushing over it causes a mist that hovers all around us, making it feel like we have a dream world all to ourselves. Some fantasy novelists probably used this place for a scene in one of their fairy novels. “How did you find this place?”

“I didn’t. One of the guys has been doing research, and I picked out the places you’ll enjoy the most.”

“You know you could have lied and taken all the credit. I wouldn’t have known the difference.”

“I won’t ever lie to you. Not ever.”

And we finally found a difference. “I lie. Not often, but I don’t have a problem lying to people.”

“Like you lied to Bear?”

I nod.

“Do you ever plan to lie to me?”

Do I? “Healthy relationships aren’t built on lies.”

“That isn’t an answer.”

Could I promise Rogue that I wouldn’t ever do that? “No, I don’t.”

“Then promise me you won’t ever lie to me.”

That feels big. “I won’t ever lie to you.”

“Good.” He steps closer, wrapping his gloved hands around the metal railing on either side of me.

Kiss him. You didn’t promise not to kiss him.

Not yet. I need to make sure that this is real. That it’ll last. I wrap my arms around him and hold him close. This will have to be enough.