The Texan's Secrets by Barbara Dunlop

Author:Barbara Dunlop
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2023-10-11T19:52:08+00:00

Seven

As the sun pushed the darkness from her bedroom, Emilia awoke. She was in her own bed but cozily spooned in Nick’s arms.

She lay still for a moment, reflecting on the fact that she’d never spent an entire night with a man and wondering if she should feel awkward. She didn’t feel awkward. She only felt happy.

“Awake?” his low voice sounded in her ear.

“Yes.”

He stretched out his legs. “Good. I can safely move. There’s not a lot of room in here, but I didn’t want to disturb your sleep.”

He was right about that. The bed alcove in her loft was narrow, only fitting a standard double bed. Since she’d never had company, there’d always been plenty of room.

She stretched out while he sat up.

“What are the options for coffee around here?”

“There’s a coffee maker downstairs in the kitchen. But Paris might be home.”

“Do you not want Paris to know I stayed?” He frowned at that.

Emilia sat. “Oh, no. It’s not me. I thought that you might—” She shrugged.

“Be self-conscious about spending the night?”

“I wanted to warn you, just in case.”

“I’m not remotely self-conscious.” He swung out of bed. “Can I bring you a cup?”

“Sure. Uh, coffee’s in the top cupboard beside the fridge. The grinder can be finicky—” She pulled back her covers. “I should do it myself.”

“No, no. Stay right there.” He buttoned his slacks under his open white shirt, then leaned down and kissed her. “I’ll figure it out.”

“You sure?” It seemed wrong to let him play host when they were in her home.

“Positive.” He headed for the stairs.

Emilia laid back, relaxing into her pillow, feeling satiated and content, if a little bit restless now that she was alone.

She heard the lilt of Paris’s voice downstairs followed by the deep intonation of Nick’s. Rising, she stepped into a pair of fleece shorts and pulled a loose, long-sleeved T-shirt over her head. She padded barefoot down to the kitchen.

“You must be Nick.” It was Chase’s voice.

Emilia couldn’t stop an ironic smile as she came through the archway from the front hall. She supposed if anyone wanted to be self-conscious, they could all be self-conscious together.

“My brother Sammy said he met you last night,” Chase added.

“I was out of line,” Nick said, impressing Emilia with his humility.

“He didn’t say anything about that,” Chase said.

“Emilia,” Paris called out as she spotted her. “There you are. Coffee’s almost ready.”

“I hope you made a full pot,” Emilia said.

Paris wore a colorful silk bathrobe over the tank top and shorts she normally slept in.

Nick had buttoned his shirt, while Chase was also dressed in his tux slacks and dress shirt.

“Anyone want to make a bagel run?” Paris asked. “There’s a bakery down the block.”

“I’ll go,” Chase offered.

A phone rang, and Nick pulled his from his pants pocket to look.

Emilia tried not to be nosy, but her eyes betrayed her, glancing at the screen. It said Misha. Misha?

Nick’s gaze met hers for a split second. Then he accepted the call, putting it to his ear.

“Misha. Good morning.

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