Trust in Us by Altonya Washington

praying for it not to be her BFFs on the other side of the door that she had completely dismissed what she was wearing when she opened it.
    Gage briefly set his hand across his mouth to shield a broadening smile as she bolted from the door to go in search of a robe.
    * * *
    He shut the room door and followed her deeper into the suite. In the bedroom he leaned back against the door and indulged in the long, unconscious glimpses she offered of surprisingly shapely limbs and other plump assets that were emphasized by the skimpy top and panties she was about to wear to bed.
    A scrap of peach-colored material caught his eye and Gage braced off the door to investigate. He discovered the robe she was so obviously searching for. A light fragrance drifted from the satiny garment when he pulled it from beneath a bag on the armchair nearest the closet. He stole a moment to savor the feel of the material between his fingers. He let himself imagine how the item must feel with her filling it.
    “Is this what you want?”
    Alythia straightened, turning into his deep, close voice. She resisted the urge to let her lashes flutter out of embarrassment as she took what he offered.
    “Thanks.” Her tone was hushed as she slipped on the robe. “I probably shouldn’t tell you I’m sorry about this, huh?”
    His laughter was short but humor filled. “I can’t think of one thing you have to be sorry for right now.”
    “Most men don’t like to be teased.” She reached for the ties at her waist.
    Gage moved in, locating the other end of the belt. “Is that what you believed I’d think?” He secured the belt for her.
    “I...shouldn’t have said that.”
    Gage bumped her chin with his fist and then propped it there and waited for her eyes to meet his. “Will you answer me?”
    “How could you not think that when all your friends have had their worlds rocked by all of mine?”
    As impressed as he was that she had come right out and said it, Gage was still taken aback that she had. Her voice sounded strong, but he could sense that she was very exhausted. “Maybe it’s a little early for this discussion?” he noted.
    Exhaustion had indeed claimed the energetic lilt of her laughter. “ Never is too early to have this discussion,” she mused.
    “If that’s the case, I’m afraid we’ll have to find something else to talk about over dinner.”
    “Another meal with the gang? Yaay.” She gave a lazy twirl of an index finger. “What time do we need to be there?”
    “ You and I should be there around seven.”
    She blinked. “Just us? Just...you and me?”
    “That’s right.” Gage realized he’d been rubbing the underside of her wrist where she had been holding her arms folded near where he still held on to the robe’s belt.
    “Seven?” he queried, smiling in a manner that proved he sensed both her reluctance and her willingness.
    “Seven.” She gave in to what she wanted. “What should I wear?”
    Gage had a fine idea that his expression was probably all the response she needed. “I don’t really think you’d benefit from my suggestion. It’d be a pretty self-serving one anyway.”
    The words made Alythia laugh until he gave the belt a sharp tug, which caused her to balance herself by bracing her hands against his unyielding chest when she jostled him. She dug in her fingers just enough to determine whether he felt as unbelievable as he appeared.
    He dropped a kiss to the corner of her mouth. “Rest up,” he murmured while his lips still grazed her skin.
    Alythia stood fixed to her spot when Gage moved away. She watched him make his way out of the room. She maintained her position until a minute after the main door closed behind him.
    * * *
    What the hell was going on? The words blasted around inside her head, which must’ve had a stimulating effect, because she stripped off the robe. She let it lie where it fell and then eased beneath the inviting turned-down bedcovers.
    She hadn’t come here for this. She’d