Layers(14)

“Honey, I’m home, hide the milkman.” Now, Tasha, now?

Daniel turns around to face the voice.

“Oh, and you are with the milkman,” Tasha comments dryly, looking our way into the darkened corridor.

“Hello,” Daniel utters.

“Well, hello to you too,” Tasha responds, noticing his lack of shirt.

I start walking toward her and Daniel proceeds towards our bathroom door. As he passes by me the back of my hand brushes his bare side, he looks down my way and our eyes melt into each other. For that brief instant it feels as though we have some special connection. He smiles at me meaningfully and I echo his expression. There is a new look in his eyes and I can’t quite make out what lies behind it. Those butterflies again.

Hearing the door close, confident that Daniel is out of earshot, I hug Tasha and whisper, “Where were you last night? I needed you!”

“Hales, I was so dead tired. I slept half way through the end of the movie and then couldn’t even imagine driving back. So what’s going on in here? Who? When? Why? Wow, gory details, pronto!”

“Eloquently challenged doesn’t agree with you, Miss Taylor.”

“Stop being a smart ass and spill the dirt, you naughty girl. Having a half-naked man around while I’m gone …” She smiles devilishly, looking eager for my response. And as I’m about to brief her, at least with the highlights, I notice her expression changing. Her eyes widen and her mouth slightly drops.

“Daniel Stark,” she exclaims in complete surprise.

“Nice to meet you, Miss …?” He tilts his head questioningly, and extends his hand for a shake, an amused smile tugging on his lips. The look of awe doesn’t leave her eyes as Tasha reciprocates Daniel’s shake.

“Taylor,” Tasha manages to finally reply, her jaw not yet back to its natural position.

“The friend I should thank?” Daniel raises his eyebrows with half a playful smile. I nod assent with a smirk of my own while Tasha observes us.

Nonchalantly, Daniel settles himself on one of the kitchen barstools, facing us both as though this is the most natural thing in the world for him. As if he hung with us on a daily basis, usually without a top. As if he were Ian. He sneaks a glance my way. In the corner of my eye I can see Tasha’s inquiring look scrutinizing me.

“Daniel spilled water on his shirt by accident. We’re waiting for it to dry.” I try to answer Tasha’s quizzical look though I’m pretty sure her one and only question is what the hell Daniel Stark’s doing in our flat.

“Oh, now it makes sense, exactly what I thought,” Tasha, coming back to her senses, mutters dryly.

Daniel and I laugh as one. He gives me the sweetest look, and I feel tiny warm waves deliciously circling my stomach. Noticing us, Tasha declares, “There’s something I need to do, and it must be done anywhere else on the planet but in here.” She winks at us both and heads to her room without further ado. Thank you, Tasha, thank you! Deep inside I know that she’s dying to stay and see what’s going on here.

“Would you like a drink?” I ask him now that we’re alone, not sure what’s next with him sitting there gloriously bare bodied in front of me. Jump him?

He taps his fingers at the green surface of our breakfast counter. Tense?

“Thanks, but I should be leaving soon,” he answers. His eyes reflect some sort of annoyance. I assume remembering the call he had just before we left the coffee shop.

“I’ll check the dryer,” I say and he nods, his gaze following me till I’m out of sight down the corridor. Even the mere thought of his eyes looking at me makes a warm feeling spread inside. Taking the shirt out of the dryer, I hold it in my hands, feeling the soft, warm fabric. Upset that it’s already dry. Touching it, I think about the fact that it was on him just a short while ago and slowly lift it to my nose, inhaling deep. Clean, with a hint of spice and musky fragrance. I keep taking in the scent for a few more seconds, fighting with myself to cease. It’s got to be given back to its owner. Perv. That was the purpose of taking it out of the dryer. I am totally losing it.

“Here you go.” I hand him back his shirt. He takes it away from me, his eyes reaching intensely into mine. Our fingers brush for an instant, sending small shudders from my hand to my core. I watch him put his shirt on, and when his eyes meet mine again they have a naughty glee in them. I take in a long, audible breath. He smiles and I feel my face warm slightly.

“Thank you for a lovely morning, Hayley J Grace.” His tongue gently caresses my name as he voices it.




“Thank you for a lovely morning, Daniel Stark.”

He sends me his crooked smile then lifts his hand toward my face, stroking my cheek with the tips of his fingers. His act of sweet intimacy leaves me entirely unbalanced. With that, he starts walking toward the door.

“See you, Hayley,” he says as he opens the door. “See you, Daniel.” I watch him for a moment. The sooner the better.

He steps out, closing the door behind him, and then he’s gone. I lean against the door, troubled by the fact that I’m as upset about his leaving as I am. I shouldn’t, not with him …





Chapter 6: Indecent Intentions


Doesn’t take Tasha too long to be by my side, distracting me from my thoughts, her entire posture screaming curiosity.