" So why was tonight not so good?” he asked, desperate to shut himself the fuck up.
“My father. And then…well, I got stood up.”
Rehv frowned so hard he actually felt a slight sting between his eyes. “For a date?”
“Yeah.”
He hated the idea of her out with another male. And yet envied the motherfucker, whoever he was.
“What an ass. I’m sorry, but what an ass.”
Ehlena laughed, and he loved everything about the sound, especially the way his body warmed a little more in response.
Man, to hell with a hot shower. That soft, quiet chuckle was what he needed.
“Are you smiling,” he said softly.
“Yeah. I mean, I guess. How did you know?”
“Was just hoping you were.”
“Well, you can be kind of charming.”
Quickly, as if to cover up the compliment, she said, “The date wasn’t a big deal or anything. I didn’t know him that well. It was just coffee.”
“But you ended the night on the phone with me. Which is so much better.”
She laughed again. “Well, I won’t ever know what it’s like to go out with him.”
“You won’t?”
“I just…well, I thought about it, and I don’t think dating is a good idea for me right now.”
His surge of triumph was sacked when she tacked on, “With anyone.”
“Hm.”
“Hm? What does hm mean?”
“It means I have your phone number.”
“Ah, yes, you do—” Her voice caught as he shifted around. “Wait, are you…in bed?”
“Yeah. And before you go any farther, you don’t want to know.”
“I don’t want to know what?”
“How much I’m not wearing.”
“Er…” As she hesitated, he knew she was smiling again. And probably blushing. “I so won’t ask.”
“Wise of you. It’s just me and the sheets—oops, did I just spill that?”
“Yes. Yes, you did.”

-Rehv & Ehlena "

― J.R. Ward , Lover Avenged (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #7)