Page 73 of Time To Learn

15

Laura

It’sstrange having a man I truly want living so close to me. The last thing I expected was to meet Kristian, and developing very improper thoughts about someone so much younger than me is frightening me to death.

I haven’t been at his flat above the stables since he moved in three days ago, so I have no idea if he feels settled in yet. I should probably have dropped by to see if everything’s okay, but I still feel that it’s necessary to keep my distance. But each night when I go to bed, I can’t stop myself from looking up at his windows, wondering what he’s doing.

Like I’m doing right now. I’ve just come out of the shower, and while I’m wearing a thin night robe, I’ve switched off my lights. I don’t want him to catch me gawking, especially so late at night.

“Why are you doing this to me?” I whisper into the darkness of the night. “Why are you making me remember what desire feelslike?”

My phone vibrating on the nightstand breaks the spell I’m under, and I pick itup.

“It’s as if he’s a mind reader,” I whisper before I answer Kristian’s call. “Hey, what’s up?” My voice sounds too breathy, too needy, and I quickly clear my throat.

“Can’t sleep?”

The sleepy rumble shoots through me and hits every cell in my body, making the urge to go to him so much stronger. I suppress a shiver as I sit down on mybed.

“What makes you thinkthat?”

“It’s after eleven in the evening, and your lights were on a few secondsago.”

A slow smile spreads across my lips at his answer.

“Maybe.”

“Yeah, thought so. Neither canI.”

Oddly enough, the silence that settles between us isn’t awkward even though it should be. It’s comforting, and I sigh softly.

“I’m nervous about getting my tattoo,” I whisper.

Liar.

The amused chuckle makes my belly flutter.

“Please try not to worry, Laura,” he says softly. “It’s honestly not that bad. But that’s actually why I phonedyou…”

“Oh?”

“Yes, how about we drive into town tomorrow before the shop opens and I’ll do itthen?”

My belly erupts with butterflies.

“But my appointment isn’t until Thursday.” I panic slightly. “Won’t Alexmind?”

I can hear the amusement in his voice when he replies.

“Nope. I’ve already texted him, asking him if the shop is free. You haven’t changed your mind about it, haveyou?”

“No.”

“So whywait?”

I don’t have an answer forhim.

“Well, I suppose you’re right. Plus, if I end up fainting or do anything embarrassing, at least there won’t be any other witnesses there—except you. I don’t think you’d be so cruel to tell on me, wouldyou?”