“He was an idiot.”
Toby laughed. “Do you remember what you said when I asked you?”
I nodded.
“Only if I’d take you out that night. You needed something to cheer you up.”
I laughed. “You should have seen your face. It was a mix of elation and absolute panic.”
“You didn’t give me much time to prepare, but I think I did pretty well.”
I tried to find a comfortable spot, but I just wanted to get out of the car. “Pizza and a movie at your house.”
“What did you expect? I didn’t have my license and my dad was away.”
I smiled. “Yeah, well, you cheered me up.”
“In other words, you thought I was a good kisser.”
“I was impressed you didn’t try anything else.”
“I wasn’t going to push my luck.”
I crossed my arms. “Yeah, you were a gentleman for all of three dates. After that, you got on my back.”
“You were such a tease.”
“A tease?”
“Yeah. Every time I thought I was going to get lucky, you made me stop. I think we probably have the record for the most time spent naked in a bed without having sex.”
“Why don’t you have slits?” That reality dawned on me. I’d been with a shirtless Toby a million times. How had I never noticed it?
“Wing slits? I have them.”
“Really? How did I not notice them?”
“They’re not visible, and they would only feel like tiny bumps.”
“Levi’s are visible…” I still remembered the first time I saw them. I couldn’t believe wings could come out of something so small.
He squeezed my leg again. “I’m not Levi.”
“I know.”
“Any more questions?”
“What color are your wings?”
“Brown. Already excited to see them?”
“Shouldn’t I be?” I needed to start flirting again. “Are they big?”
“Yeah…they’re bigger than Levi’s crow wings. You’ll see them soon.” He arched an eyebrow.
“I can see your wings without having sex with you.”
“Technically, yes, but it would be more fun to do it during sex.”
“I want to see them before.” I slipped off my jacket.
“Are you hot? I only have the heat on for you.”
“Yeah. I’m still not feeling well.”
“Why don’t you take a nap? It’s going to be another few hours.”
“I think I will.”
I leaned my head back against the warm leather seat and closed my eyes.
***
“Wake up, sleepyhead,” Toby cooed in my ear.
“Are we there?” I opened my eyes slowly, trying to adjust to the darkness.
“We’re here.” He shut off the engine and got out.
I’d just unbuckled my seatbelt when he opened my door. “I’m guessing those boots aren’t actually made for snow?”
“Snow? Who said anything about snow?” Were we really that far north? There hadn’t even been a flurry close to the city.
He laughed. “There’s quite a bit on the ground.”
He was right. I must have slept for hours to have driven that far. “My boots will be fine.” It couldn’t be too long of a walk to the front door.
“If you say so.” He held out a hand, and I used it to get down.
I slipped as my feet touched the ground. He caught me. “You said it was snow. This is ice.”
“Ice covered snow.”
“Great.”
“Want me to carry you?”
He was too much like Levi, always offering to carry me like it was nothing. “Just hold my arm.”
Toby was smart enough to realize that I wanted him to hold my weight but let me feel like I was doing it on my own.
We reached the front porch, and he unlocked the door without letting go of my arm.
I followed him right inside. I was ready to get out of the cold and was completely exhausted.
“Are we the only ones here?” I tentatively walked into the dark corridor.
“Yes. No one’s going to bother us tonight.” I reached out for the wall. What was taking Toby so long to turn on the lights?
I was about to turn when I was pushed into the wall. He pinned me against it, his arms on either side of me. “Why are you so nervous?”
“It’s dark. Please turn on the lights, Toby.” His lips brushed against my earlobe, and I forced myself not to cringe.
“I can see perfectly.”
“Please, Toby, turn on the lights.”
“What’s the hurry?”
I didn’t get a chance to answer.
Chapter Eighteen
I tried to roll over, but I couldn’t move. I struggled, finally opening my eyes. I was cocooned in a strong set of arms and legs. Levi always slept with me that way, but something was off.
“You awake, baby?”
My chest clenched. It wasn’t Levi.
I struggled harder, and the arms loosened. I couldn’t see him in the darkness, but I was sure Toby could see me.
“What? How did we get here?” My voice was hoarse, I needed water.
“You passed out on me. You didn’t even wake up when I undressed you.”
“Undressed me?” I ran my hands over my body. I was still wearing my clothes.
“Gotcha.”
“You mean you didn’t want to take advantage of me while I was sleeping?” I croaked.
Toby figured out what I needed, and he pressed a glass of water into my hands. My eyes were gradually adjusting, and I could at least make out the glass and its contents. “Well, you probably would be more comfortable without the clothes, but…”
I gulped down the entire glass. “I don’t sleep naked.”
He ran a hand down my cheek. “I know for a fact that isn’t always true.”
“Sleeping naked after sex is different.”
“It’s a good thing we’ll be having sex every night then, isn’t it?” His hand left my cheek and moved down my neck. I wanted to recoil, but I couldn’t.
“I’m not having sex tonight.”
“I assumed that. I don’t want our first real time together to be when you don’t feel well.”
“How thoughtful.”
“I’m always thoughtful.” He took my empty glass.
“Ow.” My head pounded. What the heck was going on? If I were back home, my mom would have dragged me to a doctor already.