Wait for Me by Samantha Chase Read Free Book Online

enough times to know the drill.”
    “So when will you get to sleep?  And how will you know when to wake me up?”
    “I’ll set the alarm on my phone to every couple of hours and I’ll probably get the same amount of sleep as you.”
    Emma made a face.  Hell, if she was going to be forced to be woken up all night by her ideal man, couldn’t it be for pleasure rather than for practicality?  Her life really did suck.  “I don’t suppose I have any say in the matter?”
    Lucas shook his head.  “You do not.”
    Cursing under her breath, she glared at him and said “Fine”, before she began to untie the robe sash from around her waist.  Not caring that Lucas was standing there watching her every move, she let the garment drop from her shoulders and from her body and flung it on the foot of the bed before crawling awkwardly between the sheets.  It wasn’t until she was sitting back against the pillows and ready to reach for the bedside lamp that Emma looked his way.  “Anything else I need to know?” she asked defiantly.
    Yes, that I want to crawl in that bed beside you and keep you awake all night.  Lucas nearly had to bite his own tongue to keep from vocalizing that admission but managed to keep it inside.  “Get some sleep, Emma,” was all he said before storming out of the room.
    Reaching for the lamp, Emma t urned it off.  If only it was as easy to turn off her feelings for a man who clearly couldn’t get away from her fast enough.
    ****
    One hour and fifty-five minutes later Lucas was sitting on his couch staring at his cell phone like it was a time bomb.  In five minutes he was going to have to go in and wake Emma up and check on her to make sure she was okay.  The thought of seeing her in his bed, looking tousled and sleepy was wreaking havoc on him.  Clearly he must have done something wrong in this life because he was surely being punished for something.
    Most nights it didn’t bother him to fall asleep on the sofa but tonight he couldn’t seem to make himself comfortable enough to sleep.  Maybe it was the worry he felt over Emma or maybe it was knowing that she was in the other room in his bed that was keeping him awake.  Either way, he knew that he was going to have to get some sleep eventually. 
    The phone let off a little warning bell that told him to go and check on his guest.  With a sigh of resignation, Lucas stood and walked like a condemned man going to the electric chair.  He pushed the bedroom door open and the room was softly lit by firelight.  His gaze immediately went to where Emma was curled up in the bed.  Her hair fanned out on one of his pillows and her beautiful face completely relaxed in sleep.  Lucas could have watched her all night.
    Unfortunately, he had a task to accomplish and quietly walked over to the bed and whispered her name.  When she didn’t move or respond he said it again a little louder.  Still nothing.  With no other choice, Lucas reached out and gently shook her shoulder.  “Emma,” he said with a little more force and watched as her eyes fluttered open.
    It took a moment for Emma to remember where she was and when she was able to focus and saw Lucas staring down at her, her still sleepy brain wanted to reach out and tug him down beside her.  Bad sleepy brain!
    “What time is it?” she whispered as she pulled herself up to a near sitting position.
    “It’s a little after eleven.  How’s your head?”
    Emma had to think for a minute.  “It actually hurts a little.”
    “You’re due for more ibuprofen; I’ll get that for you.”  Lucas turned and left the room but was back in less than a minute.  Carefully he handed her the tablets and then the glass of water.  Emma placed the glass on the bedside table and then looked at him expectantly. 
    “Did I pass?” she asked.
    “Pass?”
    “The concussion test,” she said and then yawned widely.  “Can I go back to sleep now?”
    Lucas chuckled.  “Not yet.  Tell me your