Page 131 of One Wild Wish

I could practically hear him chuckling from three thousand miles away, and I clenched.

Clitoris catnip.

You at home? he wrote.

At a club with the girls. The margaritas are flowing.

The girls in question made kissy faces at me and my phone. I could only imagine the goofy grin I was sporting. One word from Owen, and I was like a giant mop, swoopy and loose. Or maybe it was the margaritas. Rachel’s fourth glass of wine was almost finished. She dragged Gwen to the dance floor, giving me some privacy. I snorted as Reckless Rachel made her appearance, busting an uncoordinated move. I should have been filming the moment for posterity, but my attention slipped back to my phone. To Owen on the other side of the country.

There was no reply. You still awake?

We’ll talk later.

My levity dropped, nothing but a chill in those words. A chill I understood. If he’d told me he was at a club with friends, I’d have shut down on him, too. God, I was insensitive.

Then I stooped to a new low. Guys came by our table. Asked to buy us drinks.

His pause lasted an eternity. Don’t know what you want me to say to that.

Music thumping, heart racing, I wrote, I told them no.

Another pause. Why?

I didn’t know where we stood, couldn’t control what he was doing or thinking all that distance away. But I could be honest. Because the only guy I want to drink with is you.

His next delay held more promise. Then, Ainsley.

Yeah? My bated breath was practically fogging up my phone.

I miss you something fierce.

My heart pinballed. The stars and lights around me exploded in my eyes. I needed more of him, something to get me through the next couple of days. He was three hours ahead of me, but he was awake. Don’t move. Don’t go to sleep. I’m heading home and want to hear your voice.

I’m not going anywhere. I’d bet he was smiling.

I gave the girls sloppy hugs, braved the elevator down (only nearly passed out once), then took a cab to my place, slamming the door closed as I hit his number.

“Hey, baby doll.”

I melted onto my white duvet at the sound of his voice. “If you answer every call like that, I’ll be hitting redial all day.”

A half sigh, half laugh tickled my eardrum. “Glad you called.”

“Tell me again how you miss me?”

The rustling of sheets echoed. It was 3:48 a.m. his time. He was in bed. Did he slumber in the buff? In briefs? In pizza-slice printed pajamas bottoms? “I can’t sleep. Keep thinking about kissing you.”

“Just kissing?”

“No, doll. Not just kissing. The gay porn didn’t help.”

A yelp of a tipsy laugh burst from my lips. “Promise me we’ll always joke about my idiocy.”

“That’s an easy promise to make. How was your night? Aside from assholes picking you up.”

Jealousy edged his tone. I liked it. “Fun. Always nice to see the girls, and I found out a juicy tidbit about you.”

Heavy breathing replied. Then quiet. He was probably exhausted. I grabbed my lattice Calvin Klein pillow and tucked it under my arms.