She froze at his request. The lobby was so quiet that she could feel her heart beating. His words resounded in her mind.
"Daphne, please. Spend the night with me."
She knew what he meant by the invitation. He was merely offering her a safe place to stay for the night and nothing more. His offer was yet another example of the constant
kindness that he'd shown her since the moment they'd met-over a basket of laundry in his brother's living room. There was no mistaking the pleading and compassion in his
eyes. She'd interrupted whatever he'd planned for that evening but she knew without a doubt that he wanted her to stay. He cared about her-really and truly cared. IT had
been a long time since anyone had shown her such kindness, even despite the argument that sent her running to the lobby. She couldn't deny that she cared about him as
well. At that moment she realized that she cared about him more than she was willing to admit.
He was, by all accounts the best friend she'd ever had. She felt closer to him than she'd ever felt to her friends in Manchester. Now she wished that she had told him how
much he meant to her. He was always there for her, offering a word of kindness and reassurance accompanied by a smile or a warm hug. A feeling of guilt came over her and
she realized that she'd never thanked him for his kindness and friendship. He would never know what it meant to her.
She should tell him know, but oddly enough she was afraid of his reaction. Would he be angry that she'd kept her feelings to herself for so long? Or would he be deeply
touched and engulf her into the warmest most wonderful hug imaginable? A hug that might lead to a kiss. Just one-or maybe two? An image flashed through her of two souls
kissing; a man and a woman, their lips searching, caressing, and fulfilling a desire that neither could ignore. And suddenly the images became more familiar. She was running
her hands through his soft hair, bringing her lips to his. Suddenly her mind reeled with images that simply shouldn't be there. And yet they came in full force, producing a
feeling unlike any she'd ever known. She did her best to shove the thought away. IT was wrong, oh so wrong. And it was even more wrong to want to spend the night with
him so badly.
Her eyes met Niles' and her heart pounded in her chest. The familiar feeling of panic returned. Could it be possible that he could tell what she'd been thinking? The idea was
ridiculous. She willed the image away and continued to stare at him.
"Please?" His eyes were filled with compassion, the question sincere. But she wasn't listening. Her eyes were on his mouth. She stared at his lips, wondering what it would be
like to kiss him; to lightly press her lips against his, just for a moment. Suddenly the urge became stronger until it was so great that her insides began to quiver with desire
for him. And then more images appeared.
They were kissing-they were in his bedroom-in his bed-their bodies were entangled in the softest sheets imaginable that cooled their heated skin. Their passion was on fire
and-
"Daphne?""
The image vanished, hurling her back to the present. Her skin felt damp and hot-even hotter than before. And for a second she thought she might faint. What a sight that
would have been.
"What?"
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you. Are you all right?"
"I-I yes. I was just-." She averted her brown eyes, unable to look in to his beautiful blue ones any longer. To look at them would be-
"Daphne, are you still angry with me?"
The question caught her off guard, even more than his invitation to spend the night.
"It's all right if you are-mad at me, that is. You have every right."
"I- … it's all right. I'm-."
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing. I-."
"You haven't answered my question."
"Nothing's wrong. I'm just-."
"I mean the other question. So will you?"
She stared at him, trying to remember what he'd asked her. What was wrong with her, feeling this way?
"Will I-."
"Spend the night with me?"
She only needed a moment before she gave him the answer that came from her heart.
"Yes."