Human Hieroglyphix - Dex & Leila by J. A. Hornbuckle

sleeping--a definite no-no per Yvonne at Dr Eastland's office--then what version of 'me' had he seen that night in his shop?
    "Thanks," I mumbled.  "So you want to tell me what really happened, Dex?"
    He grabbed my mug along with his own and did a refill of each before answering.
    "Dirk at Henry's was going to call you a cab because you were becoming wasted after three drinks.  Rather than that, I said I'd take you home." 
    He placed my cup in front of me.
    "How'd you know where I live?"
    "I tried calling Crystal like you asked me to, but she didn't know you from the description I gave her.  I, ah, had to dig in your purse for the address, hope that's okay."  He sounded uncertain, unsure.
    I took another sip of my coffee thinking.
    "How'd I end up on the sofa?" I asked.
    "Too heavy to heave you up the stairs, babe," Dex said unapologetically.  "But you were too far gone to be left alone.  So I left you on the couch after getting your shoes off  and I went upstairs and slept in your bed.  Checked on you a few times to make sure you were going to alright."
    "You slept in my bed?"
    "Uh-huh.  Smells of you.  Kind of a great smell actually," he admitted with a smile.  "Ready to eat, Leila?"
    He said my name .
    I felt my heartbeat throbbing in several areas throughout my body that couldn't be chalked up to having a hangover.
    I nodded wordlessly as I watched the Greek God that was currently in residence in my kitchen start to dish up toast and eggs.
    Breakfast was over and Dex had gone upstairs to get his clothes while I moved slowly around my kitchen cleaning up.  My mind was skittering around trying to memorize everything about this morning but that seemed almost beyond my power due to three drinks.
    Three freaking drinks.
    But it got Dex to come in and stay the night, a portion of me whispered.
    And he made you breakfast.
    "Hey, Leila?" I heard him call and made my way to the living room noticing he had donned his t-shirt and was putting on his boots.
    "Yeah?" I replied leaning my thighs against the back of the couch as I faced him.
    "Would you like to have dinner with me tonight?" he said, his head still pointing at his boots.
    "Yes, please," I answered.
    His head came up quickly and his eyes caught mine as a slow grin made its way across his face.
    "That's it?  'Yes, please'?"
    "I don't know what you mean.  You asked, I answered,"  I was confused even more than the hangover excuse gave me.
    He rose slowly and snagged his jacket from the back of the chair.
    "Not used to talking with female that didn't involve a whole lot of bullshit," he said moving towards me until he was close.
    Very close.
    Heartbeat booming, kind of close.
    I was still facing the fireplace and Dex was facing the front door when his hand reached across my upper chest before settling to grip my neck.  I twisted my head to look up at him.
    "Like it, babe," he whispered looking directly at me.  "Like it a lot."
    Then he did the most amazingly, weird thing.  Dex brought his nose alongside mine and slowly rubbed. 
    I felt my hands grip the sofa cushions to hold myself steady.
    "Pick you up at seven?" he murmured just millimeters away from my mouth.
    I couldn't speak. 
    My throat had closed and I was having enough trouble just trying to breathe.
    So I nodded instead.
    For a wordy-girl, I sure was speechless around him.

 
     
     
     
    Chapter Twelve
     
    'Major crisis,' my text began. 'First date with the man I've been crushing on.  Need wardrobe help STAT.'
    It was two hours before Dex was supposed to pick me up and I was near tears.
    I had taken a four hour nap and was starting to feel like my old self. 
    Exactly like my old self that didn't have a clue on what to wear or how to behave or anything.  I understand that most females went through this sort of shit in their early teens, but it was my first time and I was not, repeat not, dealing with this well. 
    As seen from the text I sent to all three of my girls, my new fashion