Chapter 18He fell asleep first. Even with decades of nocturnal living behind him, Dec’s long day and draining night weakened his defenses, coaxing him into slumber with the promise of oblivion. The last thing he remembered was watching Maya stretch to reach a book from the shelves, her nightgown riding up to reveal the soft swell of her cotton-clad bottom. He drifted off to fantasies of taking her shopping for some new panties to go with the sleepwear.
His rest was deep and surprisingly free of tormented dreams. When he awoke, it was immediate, his senses sharp, but the slight euphoria lingered only as long as it took him to open his eyes. Memories of the night before came crashing back, and Dec sat up on the couch, avidly searching the room for Maya, somehow convinced that she’d only wan
