Alexander unlocked the cottage and just as Eva had expected, it opened into a small living area with a bedroom at the backside. “Where will I sleep?” she gasped, staring at the queen-sized double bed with concern.
“I can sleep in the car if you want me to. Sorry, this was all I could get. The place is full-booked for a wedding.”
“No need to sleep in the car. You’ll get cramps,” she said, walking inside to inspect the place. There was no sofa where she could sleep.
“There’s a patio outside. I’ll ask Mrs. Morris for a mattress and sleep there. You can use the bed,” he said, opening the door and walking out. Eva came to her senses and caught his hand to stop him. She wouldn’t be able to sleep after throwing him out.
“No, you can sleep on the bed as long as you stay on your side,” she whispered, her cheeks burning with embarrassment. Did she look like a desperate teenager eager to sleep with her first crush? “I’m just concerned for your health since you’ll be driving for the next couple of days.” She looked away from Alexander’s probing eyes. From the amused expression on his face, she knew what he might be thinking. No, she didn’t agree to this arrangement to resume the kiss from where they left off! Of course, she wanted to but she wouldn’t beg him for it.
“Are you sure? I have no control over my limbs when I’m fast asleep.” He winked and came inside, closing the door after him, aware of her jaw-dropped gaze upon him.
“Close your mouth, Eva, or I might get ideas.” Eva clamped her mouth shut and darted towards the bedroom while Alexander opened the backdoor to a patio outside overlooking the horse corrals. It was dark, but he knew the view in the morning would be one to die for. Would he be alive till then? Sleeping with Eva would definitely kill him from blue balls, if not anything else. He could have chosen from the numerous hotels dotting the way, but he chose this, knowing it is always fully booked. The ranch was an immensely popular one because it catered to all age groups with the wide range of activities it offered its guests. Their wedding packages, wholesome food, and their heart-warming hospitality typical of a wild west family-owned ranch drew guests throughout the year. He had come here on his last visit to Phoenix and stayed back for three days to enjoy all the outdoor adventures they offered.
However, this time, his entire body was in overdrive. He knew it had nothing to do with adventure. It was only because of a delicate, soft-hearted girl with eyes like whiskey that could make you drunk and addicted if not careful. She claimed to love him and his heart thumped with excitement, knowing she still did. Why else would she agree to him sleeping with her? He knew how shy she was around guys, especially around him! Yet her concern for him made her agree to do the impossible! He knew her so well! She was as innocent as a newborn baby!
“What would I do with you, my Eva?” he whispered to himself in the darkness. He stood there taking deep breaths, giving her ample time to settle down on the bed. ‘No, Alexander! You have to control your urges. She’s too pure for you. Don’t indulge in something you cannot pursue. Don’t break her heart.’ His rational mind argued with his heart. Torn by the ongoing battle between his conscience and his heart, Alexander stood in the cold dark night, unable to go inside and climb into bed with her. He was no saint, and the urge to pull her into his arms and initiate the kiss again was too much of a temptation to resist.
“God! Why do I always bring this upon myself?” he muttered with annoyance. He had never expected his own conscience to hit him so hard and prevent him from doing what his heart desired. If sleeping had been his objective, he would have easily chosen any other hotel with ample rooms available.
“Alexander, who are you talking to? Come in and sleep,” said her sweet voice, making him forget all his resolutions and walk into the room like a lost puppy. His eyes sought hers as she sat combing her hair, wearing the same pajamas that always managed to arouse him whenever he saw her in them. She had no idea that she didn’t even need to try to seduce him. He was already aroused.
“Go to sleep. I’ll change first.” He opened his luggage and took out a pair of sweatpants and a tee shirt, and went over to the washroom to change.
The moment the door closed, Eva released the breath she was unconsciously holding. Alexander’s presence within the close confines of the room had increased the temperature so much that it was impossible for her to act immune to his charm. She wasn’t immune to him at all! She glanced at the tiny queen-sized bed and sighed. How would she stay sane with him breathing down her neck the entire night? With only two pillows available, she didn’t have the option of building up a fortress around her!
Lying down at the far end, she closed her eyes to sleep, but with her mind conjuring up sinful thoughts and images, she didn’t at all feel sleepy. It was a strange irony indeed! She found a comfortable bed but now she couldn’t sleep!
The door opened, and Alexander emerged, glancing at her to check if she was sleeping. “Not sleepy?” he asked, and she shook her head, closing her eyes to block out his hot body from her vision. If she didn’t see him, she wouldn’t dream about him, right?
“I know a way to make you sleep in a matter of minutes,” he said with a chuckle, climbing into the bed on his side. Eva’s eyes flew open as the bed dipped and she anxiously looked at him.
“No, thanks. I don’t need your way,” she breathed with her breath stuck in her throat. Alexander laughed, his eyes glittering with a fire she had never seen before, not even when they had kissed. She knew what he was implying. He wanted her to respond to the temptation, but she knew her limitations. She wouldn’t react!
“Are you sure? It’s effective,” he laughed more, leaning more towards her. Eva gasped at seeing the way he had taken up almost the entire bed with his huge, muscular body.
“I’m sure. Just keep to your side,” she said pointedly. He laughed and leaned more towards her.
“I told you I can’t guarantee that.” Eva jumped up, ready to flee the torture.
“I’ll sleep in the car,” she said, but Alexander grabbed her arm to stop her from fleeing.
“You’ll do no such thing. I was just kidding! I meant counting sheep to sleep, the age-old remedy for sleeplessness. Good night, Eva.” He released her and turned his back towards her to sleep while Eva gaped at him wordlessly. This was indeed embarrassing! Why did she need to overreact? She quietly lay down to sleep with her back towards him, to block him out of her vision. Hearing his breathing, she lay still, but eventually, the day’s exhaustion took the better of her and she dozed off.
Alexander listened to her even breathing and turned towards her to inhale her sweet addictive scent and sleep. It worked, and he fell asleep in no time!
Alexander opened his eyes the next morning in a better frame of mind. He had the best sleep of his life cuddled with the softest and warmest cushion possible on earth! Shocked, he immediately released the cushion, only to realize that it was Eva all along. She had rolled over in her sleep and wrapped herself around him at night! With her face embedded into his neck and her smooth bare arm wrapped around his waist, it wasn’t easy to disengage himself from her embrace. He didn’t want to, loving the feel of her against him. All the se*ual tension of the previous night evaporated, and he just gave in to the temptation and pulled her closer. Couldn’t he stay this way for a little while longer till she woke up and moved away?
Eva stirred, feeling Alexander’s signature cologne tingling into her nose. Strangely, she felt excessively warm and aroused as a warm breath fanned her face. Her eyes flew open at the realization, only to find Alexander’s face inches from her own. Realizing that she was sprawled almost all over him while he quietly lay watching her sleep, her cheeks flushed with color. She had no idea when she had rolled over from her side to cuddle him to sleep! How embarrassing could it get? What was he thinking her to be? Why didn’t he wake her up or move her away?
“I’m sorry! You could have pushed me away,” she said, releasing him totally, but before she could roll back to her place and leave the bed, he pulled her back to him and pinned her to the bed. She gasped when he hovered over her, his eyes darker than ever as they gazed back at her.
“You have tortured me all night, Eva. Now it’s my turn,” he whispered hoarsely.