Dane

Letting her see the heat in his gaze, Dane started slowly towards her. "That," he said softly as he pulled her into his arms, "was the best phone call I've ever had."

​​

"Ever?" she murmured, and he saw the fear in her eyes now that she had had time to think. Saw the insecurity as she dropped her head to break the gaze.

He put a hand to the side of her neck and tipped her chin up with his thumb. When she met his gaze again, he nodded. "Ever," he said firmly. Then he kissed her.

Lila clung to him and he was embarrassed by how quickly he was ready again. The poor woman was going to think he was nothing but a sex-fiend, waiting to get his hands on her. So before things got too heated, he slid her hands from around his neck, and pulled them down. "I just need to get dressed. What to do you want to do tonight?"

"I don't know…maybe just Netflix and chill?"

Dane frowned. "You know, I've never really understood that term."

She blinked. "You've never had a date with someone where you just hang out on the couch and watch a movie, or a TV show?"

He gave her a flat look. "Most women are scared to be alone with me for more than an hour, do I really strike you as the hang-out-at-home type?"

"Actually, yes," she said, seeming genuinely surprised. "If they couldn't see that…well, lucky me."

Dane grinned. "Okay then, Miss Farris, why don't you go pick a movie while I get dressed, then we'll Netflix and chill. You can show me how it's done."

She nodded and smiled shyly, then turned to go back to the living room.

Dane turned and went back to his bedroom on the other side of the bathroom. He'd only gotten as far as a pair of boxers and his sweatpants when her voice filled the room.

"Why are you in here?" her tone was sharp and a little shaky.

He looked up from the drawer where he was selecting a shirt. He'd been debating the merits of a soft sweater he knew she'd love, or a tank top that put his skin in contact with her and gave him reasons to cuddle. He looked up, frowning at her tone. "It's my room. Where all my things are," he said, confused.

She looked around. "But…this isn't the room you gave me."

Relaxing, Dane shrugged. "I wanted you to have your own space. I didn't want you to feel pressured—"

"Pressured? Dane, the entire point of this whole charade we've created this weekend was so we could be alone together. I'm excited to be here with you. Why would you put me in a different bedroom?"

"Hey, hey, don't worry!" She folded her arms and stood firm, frowning. "There was no intention in it. I just didn't want you to feel—"

"Pressured. I know. But you didn't even ask me!"

He frowned. "Well, I just thought—"

"You just thought you were still making all the decisions between us, is that it? You're my boss in the office, Dane, not in the bedroom."

"I know that," he said through his teeth. Why was she getting so angry?

"Do you? Because I thought the whole point of coming here together was to get privacy, so we could be together."

"Lila, we are here together. And we're going to keep being together—whether we're together in bed or not. I just didn't want to make you feel like you had to do anything. There's no expectations. We'll take our time. Move slowly."

"Time? Why do you want to take your time now? You were ready to take my virginity on the floor of my apartment the other day without blinking an eyelid—why the sudden concern?"

"Because I didn't know you hadn't done it before."

Her eyes narrowed. "So…now that you know I'm a virgin, I'm untouchable?" Dane raised a single eyebrow and she gave him a look flustered look. "Okay, bad choice of words," she said. "But you know what I mean."

"No, I don't," Dane said quietly and walked over to where she stood, standing so close she had to crane her neck to meet his gaze. He let his stomach brush against hers so she'd feel his warmth. "I want you," he breathed.

Her eyes widened. "I want you too."

He nodded. "I also care about you and…and don't feel like I've earned what you're willing to give. Yet. But I'm going to."

Her lips flattened, "This stupid way you see yourself—"

He leaned down and kissed her to interrupt the words, letting his lips trail across hers so softly, his lips tingled and the hairs on his arms stood up. Then he let his fingers barely touch her neck until she shivered.

*****

Lila

She wanted to close her eyes and just take in the gorgeous sensations he was building in her skin, but he spoke and his words made her feel even more.

"I want you," he repeated. "But I also want it to be memorable for you. I want it to be right—not rushed. Not interrupted. And not because it's the only time or space we think we'll have. I want it to be natural, and…relaxed."

"Don't you get it, Dane?" Lila whispered back. "It will be. I've never wanted anyone the way I want you. I've never felt safe enough before. You make me feel that way. Only you."

Dane closed his eyes and tipped his head back. "I swear, it's like you were created just to tempt me, woman," he groaned. Lila laughed, but it was obvious he wasn't joking.

Then she put her hand on his chest, right on his heart, and said his name again. He opened his eyes and looked down at her, put his hand over hers. It completely covered it and Lila had to force herself to focus as she imagined the rest of him covering her like that.

"I'm ready when you're ready," she said, offering a wicked smile. "And this weekend, no matter how far it goes, we're sharing a bed. I've been looking forward to that. I want to wake up with you when there isn't a crisis. I want to touch you when you're happy, not just upset. I want to be close to you while I can because there's so much time when I can't."

His eyes narrowed, but he smiled. "I'll make you a deal."

"What?" she asked suspiciously.

"You move your things in here and we'll sleep together—just sleep—this weekend."

"Unless it's relaxed," she insisted. He gave her a look, but she didn't back down.

"Fine," he groaned. "But I swear, if my father doesn't kill me first, the stress of keeping up with you will be next in line." He chuckled, but her forehead pinched. She gripped his shirt and he patted her hand.

"Thank you, Dane," she said softly.

"For what?"

"For caring how it is for me. For thinking about more than just getting me in bed. I've spent most of my time with men defending my own virtue. It's touching that you want to do it for me."

"Well, I'm glad." He reached down to kiss her softly again, then pulled back to meet her eyes. "Because as you know, I do like touching," he grinned.

Lila slapped his arm with her free hand and growled.

His laugh bounced off the walls.