Page 72 of The Deal Breaker
If only…
Being stuck with Iris would be the perfect way to spend a snow day. They’d hung out together whenever school was canceled when they were younger, either playing video games or watching a movie marathon or a combination of both. She would grab food for them downstairs in her parents’ restaurant.
Speaking of the forecast…
Cloud seeding had been used for rain and rockets to attract lightning, but maybe he should ask the lab to look into the latest research on weather manipulation. Might come in handy.
At dinner, Dash’s VP did most of the talking, leaving him to answer specific questions. The restaurant had stellar reviews from food critics who had deemed it the place to eat. He didn’t understand why. Fancy cocktails aside, the tiny appetizers covering the table wouldn’t satisfy a hungry hamster. He doubted the entrees would be more filling.
He forced himself to pay attention to what the others were saying. It wasn’t easy. Despite what the contract would be worth to his company, he wanted to be home. Strike that, he didn’t care where he was as long as Iris was with him.
A little after ten o’clock, Dash was finally home. He yawned. All he wanted to do was see Iris and then sleep. Talk about tired.
Someone was talking, but he didn’t recognize the voice. As he went into the great room, a cooking show played on the TV.
Dash didn’t see anyone, but then he noticed Iris asleep on the couch. A gray cashmere throw covered her.
Even if he’d wanted to tumble into his bed thirty seconds ago, seeing her energized him. As he moved closer, his fingers itched to run through her hair or touch her. He did neither.
Instead, he watched her.
Given Iris’s smile, her dream must be a good one.
So pretty.
Iris used her bent arm as a pillow. Her sock-covered feet stuck out from the blanket. She looked so comfortable. If there’d been room for him, he would have joined her.
But there wasn’t. That left him one question to answer—let Iris sleep or wake her?
Dash wanted her to remain in dreamland, but he had no idea if she’d set an alarm for the morning. Being on time was important to her. Always had been, even when they were in high school. Iris had mentioned her schedule to him. She liked arriving early at the culinary school so she could change and be in her first class on time. That was when she sent him her first text of the day.
Waking her was the right choice.
He kneeled next to the sofa. “Hey, Sleeping Beauty.”
She didn’t stir. Maybe his voice was too soft. He would try again.
“Iris,” he said louder before touching her shoulder. “Come on, gorgeous. It’s time to go to bed.”
She blinked open her eyes, and she turned her head to look up at him. “What?”
He brushed back the hair that had fallen onto her face. “You fell asleep watching television.”
“I was waiting up for you.” She sounded tired.
Dash kissed her forehead. “I’m sorry I was so late.”
“No apology necessary.” Iris stretched. “Did you get the contract?”
“It looks like we will.”
“Yay.”
He smiled, more happy to be home with her than what profit his company would make with the new customer. “At least my time was well-spent, even if I thought about you all night.”
“Funny, because you were on my mind, too.”
“I was?” He feigned shock. That was better than grinning like a fool. “What were you thinking?”
