Free Chill Out by Jana Richards

their bodies still joined.
    “I’m too heavy for you,” he mumbled against her shoulder.
    “Shh. You’re fine where you are.”
    “Liar.”
    With regret, he rolled off her and snuggled close. He’d have to get rid of the condom in a minute, but right now, after what they’d shared, he wanted to be near her. His eyes drifted shut as he idly fondled her breast.
    Renata suddenly jerked. “Oh, good God! Spike!”
    Noah opened his eyes to see Spike’s huge head resting on the pillow mere centimeters from Renata’s. His tongue darted out to lick her face. She turned away, laughing.
    “We’ve really got to do something about his breath.”
    “Spike, lie down!”
    With a doleful glance, the dog backed away from the bed. “Sorry about that, sweetheart.” Noah wiped the slobber from her cheek with a corner of the sheet.
    “That’s okay. It’s kind of nice knowing I’m adored.”
    Noah’s heart contracted painfully at her words, his thoughts whirling in confusion. Spike wasn’t the only one who adored her.
    He was in love with Renata.
    He wanted to deny his feelings. He’d known her for less than seventy-two hours. Yet he knew more about her—and had let her learn more about him—than any woman he’d ever known, including Kendall.
    He loved her.
    But he had no idea how she felt about him. They were certainly compatible in bed, but did she want him anywhere else in her life?
    He scrambled from the bed. Renata sat up, wrapping the sheet around herself.
    “Noah, are you okay?”
    “Yeah, I’m fine. Just need to use the washroom.”
    “Are you…are you coming back to bed?”
    “Yeah. I’ll be back soon.”
    “Okay.” She smiled uncertainly and lay back down. Noah hurried to the washroom and flushed the condom down the toilet. He stared at himself in the mirror.
    He’d faced deadly diseases and potential terrorism, but nothing frightened him more than being in love. What if Renata didn’t feel the same way he did?
    Maybe it would be easier to walk away than to face the truth.

Chapter Nine
    When Renata woke the next morning in Noah’s bed, she was alone. Except for Spike. Once again he was cuddled close, with his head on her pillow. She patted his soft fur.
    “Oh, Spike. What am I going to do?”
    Noah hadn’t returned to bed all night. She’d waited for him until, exhausted and worried, she’d fallen asleep. Had she done something, said something to upset him? Had she been so dismal in bed that she’d scared him away?
    She’d thought they’d been amazing together. Had she been wrong?
    A noise outside caught her attention. She hopped out of bed and gathered her scattered clothes before looking out the window. A snowplow was clearing the driveway, which probably meant the highways had also been cleared. It was Monday morning. The weekend was officially over.
    And so, it seemed, was her relationship with Noah.
    She pressed her hand to her heart to stop the pain. She was in love with a man who didn’t want her. Again.
    She’d cry later, but for now she needed to get through the morning.
    Renata took a long shower and dressed in the nicest outfit she’d brought before screwing up her courage to go downstairs. As usual, Noah had coffee ready for her. He looked up when she entered the great room, giving her a strained smile.
    “Hi. Did you sleep well?”
    “Yes, thank you.” She wanted to scream at their asinine conversation. Were they ever going to talk about their night together? Was Noah even going to acknowledge it happened?
    “I can make you eggs and toast, if you like.”
    “No, thanks, I’m not really hungry. I saw the snowplow. With any luck, I’ll be able to get to work by noon.”
    “I’m heading to the city too. I called Dylan. We’re going to meet at his place.”
    “That’s wonderful, Noah.” She touched his arm before she remembered he didn’t want her. She pulled her hand back. “I’m sure everything will work out.”
    “I’ll follow you to Winnipeg. I want to make