My eyes blink open to the soft light in the room. “I don’t know.”
“I’ll make something for you to eat,” he says. “I’m going to get a shower first, though. I’ll come and get you when the food’s ready.”
“Can I come with you?”
“To the shower?” When I nod, he grins. “Definitely.”
Duke scoops me up and carries me like I have no need for legs anymore. He adjusts his thermostat on the way to the bathroom so that the heat kicks on, and then sets me on my feet on the tile floor while he gets the water warm in the shower.
Space is tight with two of us standing in his tub, but he makes it work. Once again, there’s nothing I need to do as Duke cares for me, lathering my body and shampooing my hair, rinsing me off, and positioning me under the gentle part of the spray while he quickly washes himself. He dries me with the same care, kissing parts of my body as he goes, and I expect to end up back in his bed when I notice his cock getting semi-hard, but he pulls shorts on and retrieves my clothes for me.
“Meet me in the kitchen?”
When I nod, he gives me a quick kiss on the lips and leaves me alone to get dressed. I’m feeling all sorts of things, but I choose not to analyze any of it right now.
Duke is making scrambled eggs with cheese and vegetables, something he knows I like from when I stayed here. “It’s almost ready,” he says.
“Can I help with toast?”
He gives a look toward the toaster. “Already on it.”
“Want something to drink?”
“I poured a glass of water for you,” he says. “Would you like something else?”
“I didn’t realize tonight’s visit came with butler service.”
He barks out a laugh. “I guess I’m just happy to have you here.”
I smile, but feel unsettled. “I’m sorry about earlier,” I say.
“What?”
“The tears.”
Again, he looks at me like he’s trying to read the answer behind my eyes. “That’s nothing to be sorry about.”
I slide into a seat at the counter. “I’m just feeling so much. That was really incredible—” I tilt my head in the direction of his room. “But I also miss the others, and I’d feel this same way if they were here and you weren’t — I’d miss you. It’s like the four of you have imprinted on my soul as a unit.”
He pauses his stirring and looks at me, until a sizzle from the pan calls for his attention. “If you felt that way, why did you limit things to one night?” he asks, his focus on the food.
“I talked about it that night. There were several reasons why we couldn’t continue.”
He’s quiet for a minute as he finishes the eggs and transfers them to waiting plates. “You know they all wanted to keep seeing you? We all did.”
“Why didn’t any of you say so, or suggest anything?”
“You made your intentions clear that night, and we didn’t know you felt differently. We were respecting your wishes.”
“That’s what I get for getting involved with such honorable men,” I joke, following him to the table where he sets the plates and pulls out a chair for me. “But none of our intentions change the reality of things.”
“Which is?”
“Trevor and Adrian are away, and they might be assigned to jobs far away when their training is done. Garrett’s my boss; we’re not allowed to date each other. He doesn’t even want to go to lunch with me anymore.”
“And you and me?” he asks.
“I never imagined you’d be missing me. I figured I was one of many women for you. Hopefully memorable, but definitely not unforgettable.”