Creative License Read Online Free Page B

she were surprised by the admission. “I can barely afford this apartment,” Caleb continued. “Besides, this arrangement makes sense.”
    “To whom?” Lily shook her head. “Fine. Then you sleep on the couch tonight. I’ll get a hotel in the morning.”
    Caleb’s frustration mounted. “Did you see my couch? It’s five foot five. I’m six foot one. Not gonna happen.”
    “Then I’ll sleep on the couch tonight and—”
    “And how do I explain to Mrs. P why my wife is sleeping at a hotel?” He ran a hand over his jaw. “You really aren’t mature enough to share a bed with a man? Or is it you’re afraid you’ll find me irresistible?”
    “Oh, I can resist you, all right.”
    “You don’t exactly have such a good track record, sweetheart.” He stepped closer and smiled as she stepped back until the back of her thighs hit the bed.
    “That’s not fair. I was drunk. Besides, you weren’t doing much resisting either if I remember correctly.”
    “What man in his right mind would?” Caleb’s cock swelled in memory or was it because of the woman before him now? He didn’t want to ponder that question.
    Lily’s skin turned pink and he fought the urge to reach out and touch her. “You’re blushing.”
    “I am not.”
    What the hell? Caleb ran a finger down her cheek. Her skin was like velvet. She closed her eyes at the touch and suddenly he wanted to feel her naked flesh under his fingertips.
    She reached up and took his hand, her eyes suddenly vulnerable. “I’d… I’d like to take a shower. It was a long flight and it’s late for me.”
    “Sure, sweetheart. The bathroom is the door to your left when you first walked in the apartment.”
    Lily unlatched the suitcase. “I have a name, you know.”
    “I know.”
    She rummaged through case, grabbed something and with a parting smirk, walked out of the room, her hips swaying in a tantalizing motion. It was going to be a long weekend indeed.

    Lily stifled a yawn and glanced at the clock in the kitchen. Only eight thirty? Of course for her it was well past bedtime. She pulled her robe tighter and glanced at the couch where Caleb sat reading. It didn’t look any more comfortable since the last time she’d examined it.
    You really aren’t mature enough to share a bed with a man. Caleb’s accusation still stung, but the thought of sleeping next to him, waking up next to him… Maybe he was right. She wasn’t mature enough. The idea sent shivers all over her body and not of dread.
    She could still get a hotel, but she was so tired and Caleb had a point about Mrs. Patterson. If she was inquisitive enough to do a background check, she might check out where Lily was sleeping. Why did it matter to the woman? She sponsored his art, not his personal life. “Old bat,” Lily mumbled. Why couldn’t Caleb have a guest room? Why would she think he would?
    “You could go to bed.”
    Lily looked up to see Caleb staring at her, the book on his lap. She fought another yawn.
    He stood and walked toward her, leaning on the bar separating the kitchen from the living room. He moved like a cat, all lean muscle and effortless grace. “I promise. I won’t touch you unless you ask me to.” A half smile played on his mouth.
    “Don’t get your hopes up.”
    “That’s not generally what you elevate, baby.”
    “Funny.”
    “It’s a king-sized bed. You could even roll a blanket between us or, what did they do in that movie, hang a blanket from the ceiling?”
    “That won’t be necessary.”
    He shrugged and then reached over the counter for her hand. “I appreciate this. I really do. I won’t take advantage of you. Scout's honor.”
    “Were you a scout?”
    Dimples formed under the stubble on his cheeks. He shook his head, eyes gleaming. “Nope.”
    And just like that she believed him. I’m an idiot . “I think I will go to bed.” She stepped toward the short hallway leading to the room then stopped. “Um…what side do you usually sleep on?”
    His