Page 110 of Gilt

“You have?” she says in surprise.

“We talk about a lot of things, Mom. She’s not like other girls.”

Those are the words we all long to hear because isn’t every new boyfriend or girlfriend the same until one is different?

I’m different for Jameson.

The thought settles over me, sinking deep in my bones, and when I climb into the guest room bed, I drift away peacefully.

Sometime in the middle of the night, I’m awakened when he slips in beside me.

“You’re not supposed to be in here,” I murmur sleepily.

He spoons against me and presses a kiss to the back of my neck. “Try to keep me away, Duchess.”

I wiggle closer to him, shamelessly pushing my ass against his groin.

“Duchess, what are you wearing?” he asks in a strangled voice.

“What I always wear to bed.” It’s harder to feign innocence when you’re half asleep, but I do my best. “My panties and a tank top.”

I already know what’s gotten his attention. Ninety-nine percent of the time, I’m a boy shorts kind of girl, but since I’d had to wear that teeny tiny romper today, I’d opted for a thong. His hand skims over my bare ass cheek, and he groans.

“You’re the one who wants to wait,” I remind him.

“Shh,” he hushes me. “I’m trying really hard to remember why.” I giggle, enjoying the feel of his hands roaming all over me. “My mom is down the hall, remember?”

I flip over to face him, tucking my head against his shoulder. “I don’t think she’ll hear us.”

“Duchess, if I have anything to say about it, they’ll hear you in China,” he promises. Then he kisses me on the forehead. “You’re just going to have to wait.”

“It would be easier if you didn’t keep getting into bed with me,” I tell him.

“It would be easier if you weren’t half naked.” He sighs deeply and moves his palms upward until they’re resting on the small of my back. “Stop pouting.”

“It’s dark, how do you know I’m pouting?”

“You’re pouting so loudly that I can hear it. Get some sleep,” he advises me.

“Won’t we get in trouble if she catches you in here?”

“Yeah,” he says wearily. “She’ll slap me on the wrist and then ask if I want breakfast.”

“I wish my mom was like yours.”

“Be careful what you wish for,” he says mysteriously. I’m not certain what to make of that statement, so I let it slide. Every moment I’ve experienced with Evelyn West leads me to believe that she has a wonderful relationship with her children. Then again, it took her days to return home after her husband was murdered. She claimed her father was sick, but if my own life proves anything, it’s that appearances can be deceiving.

“I don’t want to sleep,” I admit to Jameson. “I have too many nightmares.”

“I won’t let you have any tonight.” His arms tighten around my waist. “Tonight, you’re only going to have good dreams. What do you want to dream about, Duchess?”

“My birthday,” I say shyly.

“Why? Is there something you’re looking forward to?” I can hear the smile in his voice.

“I have a feeling it’s going to be the best birthday ever.”

“If I have anything to say about it, it will be.” He keeps his lips pressed to my forehead, whispering the words across my bare skin. They tingle across my scalp and race down my neck, settling low in my belly. “Have you thought any more about where you want to go?”