His gaze is on mine, hand stroking my cheek tenderly. The feelings in my chest heighten.
I don’t want to feel.
He cups my jaw and tilts my face upward, then lowers his lips to mine.
It starts slowly as he slides our lips together, with no tongue, just a gentle glide.
It lulls me to a comfort I didn’t know I needed. I flatten my body against his and rope my arms around his neck, just feeling him.
Then his tongue prods my lips apart. I let him slide inside and roll around, find my tongue, and make them dance together.
Sensation pours through my body. A soft moan falls from my throat and I pause, alarmed that I’m taking it too far. If I sleep with him again, I’m sure I’ll silence the voice of reason in my head permanently.
But Chance doesn’t push for more. He keeps up the languid pace, his hand threading into my hair, rubbing tenderly, his kisses gentle and unending.
My heart thumps for him, for this. I rest a palm on his chest and feel him too. His heartbeat matches my rhythm.
Means nothing. It’s just kissing.
It’s just kissing. I tell myself this as Ralph drives me back to the villa that night.
There’s a chill in the air I can’t feel on my skin. All I feel is the memory of Chance’s hands on my body, his skin pressed on mine.
I get into the apartment and lock the door behind me, then lean against it and sigh.
Just a few more days.
I make myself a chicken and veggies stir fry with baked potatoes for dinner. I’m eating at the table when I grab my phone and text Nat.
You up?
Her call comes through seconds later.
“Of course, I’m up. What’s going on?”
I drop my spoon and sigh. “I fucked up.”
“Oh, no. Maddie, are you pregnant?”
“No, what?” I gasp. “Why would I be?”
“Sorry, when you said that I just assumed—”
“Hell, no. Or am I?” I press my hand to my stomach. “Wait, no. I can’t be. I’ve been taking my pills like I should.”
“Are you sure?”
“Of course. Jeez.”
Nat sighs. “Good, so what’s up?”
“My blood pressure. Why did you mention a pregnancy?” I massage my chest. “I don’t need more complications right now.”
“I just meant— Wait, did you say more complications?”
“Yeah.”
“Maddie,” Nat says slowly. “What happened, doll?”
