Indecent Danger (Danger Incorporated #3)(17)
“Like what?”
“I snore,” he stated with a grin. “Loudly. Like cows stir in pastures miles away. I hope you’re a heavy sleeper.”
She wasn’t and his intimation that they would soon be sharing a bed made color rise in her cheeks.
“You might want to see a doctor about that. It can’t be healthy. What else?”
“I snore because I broke my nose a few times playing football. Not much they can do. Let’s see what else? Oh yeah, I’m a hot water hog. I love taking long showers and I empty the water heater, leaving none for anyone else.”
That was kind of rude.
“Do you leave the toilet seat up? That and the hot water thing might be a deal breaker.”
“After living alone for so long I sure do. Looks like this thing between us is doomed to a fiery death.”
Except he was wearing a shit eating grin and not a sad face.
“Looks like it,” Aubrey agreed, trying to hide her own mirth. “Too bad, but now I guess I get to work in your Paris office.”
“But perhaps I could be persuaded to reform. Or maybe I could give you your own bathroom.”
Aubrey giggled, delighting in his playfulness after a terrible, awful day. “It sounds like I’d need my own zip code if what you say about your snoring is true. At least I’d need my own water heater. Besides, men never really change.”
“I can change, woman.” Aubrey loved the growl in Travis’s tone and this time she couldn’t hide her laughter. “I have worlds of change inside me. I’m the old dog that can learn new tricks, I’ll have you know.”
“You’re not old.”
His smile fell and he pushed a stray strand of hair back from her face. “I am old. Older than you anyway. Does it bother you?”
“No, and it shouldn’t bother you. I haven’t had much luck dating men my own age, actually. I think I’m what they call an old soul. I’d rather hang around the house with you having a quiet night than going to some loud nightclub to drink and dance.”
“There is a middle ground. It doesn’t have to be one or the other.”
“Does it bother you that I’m young? I’m probably immature compared to most of the women you’ve dated.”
Plain and unsophisticated too.
“You’re much more mature in truth. But then in the past I dated for fun, not thinking about the future.”
“Are you thinking about the future now?”
Shit, she couldn’t stop herself from asking. She’d lost her mind inviting heartache like this.
“I am. Does that scare you? We haven’t dated very long.” He tapped her chin lightly as he resettled her in his arms, tugging the blanket up around her shoulders. “Funny how we’ve never really talked about all this.”
That was part of a sentence. The rest of it was until all this happened. He had a point however, that they hadn’t really opened up as to what they wanted this relationship to be.
“Not scared so much as surprised. Why me? There’s nothing really special about me and, well, now you know that I have something of a checkered past. I’m not sure that makes me serious girlfriend material.”
He lifted her chin so she had to look into his eyes. “Because you really see me and like me anyway.”
“They didn’t see…you?”
She could barely get the words out of her strangled throat. So much emotion had welled up as she’d gazed at him, his expression warm and loving.
“They saw what they wanted to see, never bothering to look any deeper or making me feel safe enough to show them all of who I am. I felt safe with you from that very first day.”
“I’m glad,” she said simply, not knowing what else to say. She was exhausted and her emotions were riding a roller coaster, which only succeeded in making her feel dizzy and nauseous. Her eyelids were beginning to feel heavy and she snuggled deeper into his arms, enjoying the heat of his body and the gentleness of his embrace.
“Sleep, angel. We can talk more in the morning. I think we’re both tuckered out.”
“I’m not that–” A yawn interrupted her protest and she gave in to the ever growing feeling of lethargy, the pills doing their job. She fell asleep with the steady thump of Travis’s heart under her ear and the tender stroke of his fingers through her hair.
If only she could hold onto this paradise always.
Chapter Ten
?
Some * was pounding on his hotel room door, completely disregarding the fact that Travis and Aubrey had managed only a few hours of sleep. After the events of the night before it was a miracle they’d slept as much as they had, honestly.
She had fallen asleep in his arms as they’d cuddled together on the chaise lounge on the patio and he’d carried her into her room and laid her on the bed. Not wanting to leave her alone, he’d joined her but slept on top of the covers so as not to alarm her if she woke unexpectedly. Right now she was frowning at the hammering on the door so he slid off the bed and strode through the living room, determined to punch whoever was making that infernal racket.
“This better f*cking be important,” he growled, yanking the door open and finding his cousin Shane on the other side, grinning like a lunatic. “You’re here.”