By the time we reach the bedroom, their awareness has already shifted, pulled inward and back toward me at the same time.
I step inside last, letting the door fall nearly closed, then look at them both. “Same question.”
“Yes.” Melanie doesn’t hesitate this time.
Daniel’s answer follows a beat later. “Yeah.”
I nod once. “Good.”
My gaze moves between them, taking in the distance they still keep, the way their bodies are angled; bent toward each other, yet not closing the gap between them. “Then we start simple.”
Chapter Nine
Dan
The sling tugs at my shoulder, a dull reminder I’ve been trying to ignore since we left the clinic. As soon as I step inside the bedroom, I reach up and work the sling over my head with one hand. The fabric slips free and I set it aside without giving it another thought.
Tom doesn’t just look around. He takes the room in like he’s measuring it, like he’s already figuring out how we fit inside it. I take a few steps inside and halt at the foot of the bed, watching him instead of the space I’ve seen a thousand times. It feels different now, like I’m seeing it through his eyes whether I want to or not.
The bed is made. Mel always makes it. Smooth duvet, a deep sensual red with roses. The headboard is solid wood with stainless steel accents.
I swallow, my gaze drifting over it all, and I wonder what Tom sees.
The chair in the corner still has that throw draped over it, the one she bought because she said it felt soft enough to sinkinto. It hasn’t moved in weeks. Maybe months. No one sits there anymore.
This room used to be our sanctuary. Not just a place to sleep. Not just routine, bodies turning toward each other out of habit. It used to sizzle. There used to be something under the surface, something that made my pulse pick up the moment the door closed behind us.
Now it’s… neat.
Ordered.
Empty in a way that has nothing to do with space.
My chest tightens before I can stop it. I swallow hard.
I don’t look at Mel. Not yet. If I do, I might see the same thing on her face. Or worse… nothing at all.
Tom walks further in, slow, unhurried. His feet are quiet on the floor, but I feel every step anyway. My gaze drops to his ass. The stretch of denim over firm buttocks pulls tight as he shifts his weight. My eyes stray to the strong lines of his solid thighs. I have an instant boner.
Jesus.
Heat flickers low in my gut. It’s been a while since anything hit that fast.
Tom reaches the armchair and turns slightly, like he’s testing the angle, the line of sight. His hand brushes the back of it, before he settles in like a king on a throne. He braces his hands on the armrests and places his feet wide apart. Owning the space.
My focus is drawn to his crotch. A healthy bulge presses against the denim. I drag a breath in through my nose and exhale slowly. I’m completely in the moment. Not shutting down or just holding on for dear life, but letting myself be here instead of rushing past like I’ve been doing for months.
Maybe that’s the difference.
Maybe that’s what he brings into the room without even trying.
Not noise. Not chaos.
Presence.
I let my gaze lift again, taking him in properly this time. The way he seems completely at ease here, in a space that feels like it’s been holding its breath.
Turning my attention to Mel, I see her nibbling her bottom lip. I want to bite that plump flesh and devour her mouth, but I'm not sure if she would welcome it. I'm not sure of anything anymore.
