by Lori Wilde
Dani exerted every drop of willpower she had to keep her mouth from falling open. Talk about being given way too much information. Dani could only hope Louise was done now because she wasn't sure how much more she could take.
“Plus, since Frank works here, it's convenient. We both understand what we're doing, so no one gets hurt.” Louise leaned toward Dani. “I mean, don't get me wrong—we take all the precautions you're supposed to take these days. But this way, it's very efficient.” She smiled at Dani. “Do you know what I mean?”
Sadly, Dani understood all too well what the older woman meant. She couldn't remember ever having a more awkward conversation with someone she didn't know in the slightest. Despite herself, Dani glanced at Travis, who looked as though he was about to burst into laughter. When he caught Dani's gaze, he grinned his sexy grin, and she knew she was in big trouble.
“Um, is my room around here somewhere?” Dani asked, forcing herself to look away from Travis and hoping to change the topic of conversation.
“Right here,” Louise said, stopping in front of a white door and unlocking it. “I think you're going to really like this. I decorated it myself after watching one of those shows on TV where they take an ugly room and make it beautiful.”
Dani braced herself for what might be inside and then slowly followed the other woman. But the second she walked in, Dani fell in love with the room. Louise had used delicate flowered paper on the walls and then coordinated the duvet and drapes to match. In the corner by the fireplace was a large chair that begged to be sat in, and over by the window was a window seat with countless throw pillows.
The overall effect was one of elegance mixed with comfort.
“This place is wonderful,” Dani said, setting her purse on the small antique table next to the bed. “You did a great job.”
On the hope chest at the end of the bed, Travis set the bag with the essentials she'd bought. He glanced around the room, and Dani barely managed not to tease him about his horrified expression.
Unable to resist, she asked sweetly, “So what do you think of my room, Travis?”
“Um, well,” he said as he continued to survey the room. “It's definitely...flowery.”
Louise laughed. “Men always react like we've dipped them in tar when they see this room, but women love it. And we find that by the next morning, the men have stopped noticing what the room looks like. They usually find other things to look at.”
This time, Louise did her exaggerated wink at Travis, which only made him look even more horrified.
“Louise, could you show us Travis’ room?” Dani asked, trying to rescue him.
Louise headed out the door, and the look Travis shot her made Dani roll her eyes. Yes, Louise was something else.
Once they were all in the hall again, Louise had Travis put the two big boxes in a storage closet. Then she opened a door right next to Dani's room.
As the door swung open, Dani expected more flowers, but there wasn't a single rose or tulip in sight. Rather than flowers and fritz, his room was clean lines and dark woods. The bed was as impressive as the one in her room, but instead of flowers, it was covered in a thick, burgundy spread. The furniture was mahogany and huge, made for comfort and relaxation.
“Now this is a man's room.” Dani walked inside and said in a deep voice, “Heck, even I feel macho in this room.”
Travis chuckled and set his duffel bag on the dresser. “Okay, I'll admit this room is nice. And it doesn't creep me out like your room does.”
“Hey, my room isn't creepy. It's refined and genteel.”
“It's what most women expect when they come to a bed and breakfast,” Louise said. “They expect antiques and frills.”
“And they get it in that room. It's definitely feminine,” he said, heading across the room and opening a set of French doors that led to a balcony. “Man, that's what I call a view.”
Dani came over to join him on the small wooden balcony. Since both rooms were at the back of the inn, they faced a broad meadow that had a stream running through it. The sun was setting, and the view was still spectacular. Trees swayed in the early evening air, and Dani felt surrounded by peace and serenity.
“Okay, now I'm even more in love,” Dani said.
“It is pretty, isn't it?” Louise had a grin on her face as she motioned to the door by the highboy. “Anyhoo, one more thing I want to point out. Just in case you change your mind about...you know, ex-er-cise, that door connects your two rooms.” She pointed at the door directly across from the bed, and then with another grin, added, “Have fun.”
She wiggled her fingers in what Dani assumed was a wave, then walked out, shutting the door behind her. Once the older woman was gone, Dani looked at Travis.
With a chuckle, he said, “Do you get the feeling she wants us to get some exercise tonight?”
Dani laughed, glad Travis had joked about it. “I couldn't believe it when she started suggesting we use each other as exercise partners. She doesn't even know us.”
Travis nodded. “She’s a talker, just like Elvin.”
Despite that nod and the comment about Elvin, the thoughtful look on his face made Dani wonder if he might be thinking about what Louise had suggested.
But it was ridiculous. She was leaving town in a few days. This was the wrong time to get involved. Okay, so Louise hadn't been suggesting they get involved. In fact, quite the contrary. But now was the wrong time to exercise, also.
Wasn't it?
Glancing back at Travis, she had to admit, the idea was tantalizing. Louise had made some good points. As long as both parties understood what was happening, no one got hurt.
But she didn't want to think about this right now, especially with Travis standing so close and looking so handsome. Instead, she sank into one of the white wooden lounge chairs on the balcony and closed her eyes.
“I'm just going to stay here for a while, absorbing the quiet.”
“Nope. First you've got to feed me,” Travis said.
“Feed you?” She opened her eyes and looked up at him. “You're all grown up. You can feed yourself.”
He walked over to stand next to her and just that was enough for Dani's IQ to start dropping. When had being close to Travis become this distracting? At some point in the last couple of days, her body had definitely taken on a mind of its own. She found herself leaning even closer to him and resenting the few inches that separated them.
So much for being able to resist the attraction between them.
“What fun would eating alone be? I haven't seen my old high school friend, Dani Karlinski, for years. I want to spend some time with her,” Travis said.
As reasonable as his explanation sounded, she hadn't forgotten what had happened the last time they'd had dinner together, and she felt he needed to be reminded.
“Eating out with an old friend is what caused the kiss to happen last time,” she pointed out.
Travis didn't say a word for several heartbeats. Instead, he met her gaze. She could clearly see the conflict he was feeling. He liked her as a friend, enjoyed spending time with her—and wanted her.
She knew he could see the same expression on her face. Dani couldn't remember a time she'd ever been this confused about a man. They could say they'd ignore this attraction between them all they wanted to, but it was turning out to be impossible. Louise's suggestion about being friends with benefits was getting more appealing by the second.
Finally, Travis said, “Guess we'll just have to see where life leads us.”
“Guess so,” she said. “In the meantime, why don't we see if this inn has a dining room?”
“Good plan.” Travis held out his hand, and without thinking, Dani took it. Sparks of attraction danced across her fingers as his warm skin brushed hers.
Oh, yes. Being friends with benefits was definitely becoming appealing.
“WHICH TEAM SHOULD WE root for?” Travis asked as he scanned the field. They'd ended up at the high school football game beca
use there was really no place else to go. The dining room at the inn was closed, as were most of the restaurants in town. Seemed like every local business had a sign in the window that said they'd gone to the game.
Left with limited options, Travis and Dani had gone to the game, too. If they wanted food, this was the only place to get it. So far, they'd both had hot dogs and sodas. Not exactly a healthy dinner, but at least it had been food.
“Cougars or Tigers?” he asked again.
At that moment, some of the people near them hollered, “Go Cougars!”
Dani nodded toward the crowd. Everyone was decorated in Cougar gear and chanting for the home team.
“Cougars, of course,” she said with a laugh.
Travis grinned. “Seems like the best idea, especially if we want to get out of here alive.”
As it turned out, he hadn't been kidding when he'd said it would be a wise choice. The people around here took their football seriously, and the Cougar-Tiger rivalry obviously ran deep. From the comments he overheard, Travis took it that the Cougars felt the Tigers often cheated. But as he stood in line for refills on the sodas, he overheard several Tiger fans say the exact same thing about the Cougars.
Ah, high school football. He'd forgotten how intense it could be. He'd played on the football team his last three years in high school. Tonight brought back some great memories. Memories of success on the field. And memories of some successes off the field. Nothing like being a high school quarterback to make the cheerleaders notice you.
“The Cougars just scored again,” Dani said, coming over to stand next to him in line. “Bet this is like old times for you. Football. Scoring.”
Travis chuckled, but he wasn't about to admit to her that he'd been thinking along the same lines. “I do miss playing football. It was fun.”
“Yeah, football. I'm sure that's all you miss,” she said with a devilish grin.
He grinned back at her. “I miss it because I don't still play football.”
Dani laughed and bumped his arm. “I see your point.”
The line moved forward, so they shifted with the rest of the people. “Why didn't you wait in the seats? I can get the sodas without help.”
Dani was studying the menu. “I'm hungry.”
“How? You just demolished a foot-long hot dog and a huge soda.”
“Hey, it's been a long time since I've been at a game, so I need to eat all of my favorites while I'm here. I don't want to miss out on any experiences.”
At her last comment, he turned and looked at her. Did she mean that the way it sounded or was she really just talking about concession-stand food?
He couldn't tell from her expression, not even when she turned her head and met his gaze. Dani had the most amazing eyes, but they held all her secrets close. He could never tell what she was thinking. Well, most of the time he couldn’t. She did have one look she gave him that he could read well. When she felt the same sort of desire he often felt, her dark eyes turned even darker.
As far as he was concerned, there was no point pretending anymore. Louise had made a good point. Being friends with benefits was fine as long as no one got hurt. And sure, he was working for her in a way, but since this was no longer his full-time job, he’d decided that he wasn’t going to charge her. So that obstacle was gone.
“I'm all for not missing experiences,” he said as desire simmered through his veins. He certainly couldn't be clearer than that. Now he just had to see what Dani thought of the idea.
“Not missing experiences is a good thing, I've decided,” she said. Then with a sexy smile that made his heart slam in his chest, she added, “Just like exercise is a good thing. I've decided that ex-er-cise would be a very good thing.”
Man, he hadn't expected her to say that. When they'd talked about this possibility before, they'd both agreed they should avoid getting involved. Sure, he’d changed his mind, but he hadn’t expected her to say so casually that she’d also changed her mind.
He knew she was waiting for his reaction, so he leaned down and lightly brushed her lips with his own.
“Exercise seems like an excellent idea,” he said. Then he took her hand. “Want to head back to the inn?”
She threaded her fingers through his. “Definitely. We can find out tomorrow who won the game.”
“As far as I'm concerned, we did,” he said. Then they headed to the car.
Chapter Six
Now that they'd made the decision, Dani could hardly wait to get back to the B&B. She couldn't remember ever wanting a man the way she wanted Travis. Sure, he was handsome and sexy as sin, but the desire she felt for him went way beyond the physical. He was smart and kind and fun, and she knew he would be a considerate and inventive lover.
“Not getting cold feet, are you?” he asked when they were almost there.
“No. You?”
He flashed her a grin. “Not hardly.”
She liked that he felt the same frantic level of desire that she felt, and she found herself wishing he'd drive faster. When they got stopped by a red light, she groaned.
“I know for a fact it didn't take this long to drive from the inn to the stadium. Why is it taking so long to drive back?” she asked, not really expecting an answer.
“I guess right now wouldn't be the best time to point out that good things come to those who wait,” he told her, reaching over and taking one of her hands in his.
“That's sweet, Travis, but no offense, what bunk.”
He chuckled. “Okay, then is it any consolation to know I'm just as anxious as you are?”
Actually, it was, and she smiled. “Yes. I want to know you're suffering the same way I am.”
“Ah. I see. Well, I am.”
She nodded, and then the second the light turned green, said, “Let's go.”
The rest of the way to the inn, Dani found herself counting the seconds. Finally, Travis pulled into the parking lot and found a space. Dani shoved open her door and met him in front of the car. When he took her hand again in his, she couldn't help squeezing his fingers.
Unable to go any longer without a little something to tide her over, she leaned up and kissed him.
“This is going to be great,” she said when the kiss ended.
Travis kissed her again. “Oh, yeah.”
Tugging on his hand, Dani led the way inside and up the stairs. When they reached their rooms, she didn't hesitate. She headed to his.
“I don't want you getting distracted by the flowers in my room,” she told him.
“I won't be looking at the walls,” he pointed out as he unlocked the door to his room and hustled them inside.
Once there, he turned to face her. She started to move closer, but before she could take a step, he held up one hand.
“Last chance to change your mind,” he said.
Dani laughed. He was so sweet. “Not going to happen,” she assured him.
He grinned and that grin was enough to snap what little control she had. She practically jumped on Travis, and with a laugh, he caught her, and they staggered to the bed. He dropped her onto the soft mattress and then sat next to her.
“I can tell this is going to be a wild night,” he joked.
She laughed. “I think you're right.”
The great thing about being with a man you were friends with is that you could make the experience fun, Dani decided. She'd known Travis for years, had shared many experiences with him, and had had a great time with him.
Sex was going to be one more experience for them to share together. She knew it would be better than anything she'd experienced before because they cared and liked each other.
Tonight really was going to be wild.
A CLANKING NOISE WOKE Travis with a start. He opened his eyes, and then, in the faint light coming in through the open room door, he saw that Dani was setting a tray on the desk across the room.
“What are you doing?” he asked, only half awake. He glanced at the clock by his bed. It was a little afte
r one in the morning.
“Sorry. I didn't mean to wake you. I was hungry so I went looking for food,” she said, waving one hand at the tray. “When I reached the kitchen, Louise was still up. The second I said I wanted something to eat, she gave me a ton of stuff.” Dani grinned. “Want some?”
Now that he was awake and thought about it, he was hungry, too. “Sure.”
He turned on the light next to the bed, blinking at the brightness. When he saw what Dani was wearing, he couldn’t help but laugh. Although she looked adorable, she had on her jeans with his T-shirt.
“Did she comment on your outfit?” he asked, pulling on his boxers and then shutting the door to the room. He went to stand next to her, adding, “I bet Louise had a field day with that.”
Dani glanced at her outfit and smiled. “Surprisingly, she didn't say a word. But I think that's why I ended up with so much food. I think she knew we'd decided she had the right idea about friends with benefits. Why else would she give me so much?”
He studied the tray. Louise had loaded it with sandwiches, chips, sodas, and brownies, more than enough for two.
“She must have known,” he agreed.
“Either way, I think my search for food was a success,” she said, snagging a chip off one of the plates. “I was worried I would come back empty-handed.”
Travis pulled out a chair for Dani, and after she sat, he took the chair across from her.
“You did an excellent job,” he said, waiting until she had selected a sandwich before choosing one of his own. “I don't think a professional food scavenger could have done better.”
Dani laughed. “Good to know I have another career option.”
“Definitely.” He smiled at her, enjoying the look of happiness on her face.
When she took a bite of her sandwich, she made a blissful, sexy sound. “It absolutely doesn't get better than this.”
As he ate his sandwich, he had to agree. This was good. Not only the food, but also the company. The past few hours had been amazing, beyond his expectations, which had been pretty high.
