Page 105 of Bless My Body

now, and she seems to be studying them.

I walk up behind her and rub my hands up and down her shoulders. It may be spring, but it can

still get chilly when the sun goes down. She’s out here in basically a strapless dress, so I know she

must be getting cold.

“Hey,” I say, my voice sounding husky. She moves her head to look at me, her beautiful hazel eyes

twinkling.

“Hey.” She gives me a tired smile.

“You ready to go in? Most of the people are gone now. I can show you to your room.” I hate that I

won’t get to sleep next to her tonight. I’m dying to wrap my arms around her—really feel her warmth

—and want to wake up next to her with her perfect ass pressed up against me.

There is no way my mom will let us share a room. The best I can hope is that we can sneak into

each other’s room tonight to be together without anyone finding out.

She stands up and follows me inside. I run out to my car to grab our bags before escorting her

upstairs.

Unfortunately, my mother is standing in the hallway when we get to the second floor. She freezes

and stares at us.

Celine breaks the silence first. “This was a great party, Mrs. Sanders.” She plasters on a smile,

but I notice it’s not her real smile. I’m sure I’m the only one who can tell that it’s fake, and that’s only

because I’ve been watching her smile for so many years it’s ingrained in my mind.

“Thank you. Have a good night,” my mother says tersely before turning on her heel.

Celine looks at me, and I just shrug my shoulders.

I take her to the guest room just across the hall from my bedroom.

“Hey, are you ok?” I ask, reaching up and tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear. She smiles at

me.

“Yeah, I’m good. It’s just exhausting listening to you talk about boring shit for hours,” she jokes,

but something feels off. I’m not sure what it is exactly, but it feels like she’s pulling away from me,

and I’m not ready for that. I still have twenty-four hours with her.

I brush off her joke, my concern for her outweighing my need for our usual banter. “Are you sure?

You seem quiet.”

Her big hazel eyes look at me. “Yeah, I’m ok. Really. It’s just been a long day.”