Page 122 of In Your Wake

“I never said you looked bad. You were fucking hot.”

“Were?”

“Are,” I correct, smiling. “But you shouldn’t let it get too long. The scraggly look is dated.”

He lets out a soft, low laugh. I hadn’t noticed that his hands were still tucked under my dress until he pulls them out, and now I suddenly yearn for his heated touch.

“Ready to go back downstairs?” he asks.

“Not even a little.” I slide off his lap, fixing my underwear, letting my skirt fall down around my legs. “But I probably should.”

I’m not sure what I see pass through his eyes, but it looks like disappointment. He moves to stand and flinches, but I plant my hands on his shoulders.

“No, you stay here. I’ll be quick. I’m sure they’re almost done, anyway.” I grab his jaw. “And when I get back, I want you to scratch my thighs with this five o’clock shadow of yours,” I add, running my fingernails along his jaw. “Got it?”

The playful smirk I hate so much lights up his eyes. “Yes, ma’am.”

26

Wake Up Call

Mitch

The room smells of us. Of Max’s perfume, my cologne, our sweat and lust. Sunlight streams in from between a crack in the curtains, bathing us in its warm glow and turning Max’s copper hair to a bright shade of apricot.

I roll onto my side, prop myself up on an elbow, and watch her sleep. Her bow-shaped lips are slightly parted, the sun highlighting the smattering of freckles across her creamy white skin. She’s so damn beautiful, I almost forget she isn’t mine. I mean, sure, we’ve had sex, but no matter what she says, she hasn’t changed all that much. This undeniable attraction between us is volatile and explosive when we give in, but how could it not be when it stems from a place of deep hurt and anger, not love. As fun as last night was, it’s not a healthy place for either of us to be in.

Besides, I have this massive decision hovering over me, plus I need to go back to New York in a few days to meet with Phil. The ever-increasing pressure is getting heavier and heavier with each passing minute. And when I connect with Max this way, it gets harder to face the reality that I’ll have to let it all go.

It kills me but I’ll need to accept that we’ll never have a future together.

Who am I kidding? Did I ever really believe I’d have anything permanent and long-term with her? At best, we’re old acquaintances, not friends. Lovers, but not in love.

The thought makes something fierce gnaw at my insides.

Wishing we could stay in this room forever, I run my fingers along her arm. The tiny hairs on her forearm lift to meet my touch, and I lose myself, mesmerized by her body’s reaction to mine.

Come on, Adams. You are in love with her. Just as you’ve always been.

“What are you doing?” she asks, cracking an eye open.

I smile, but don’t stop moving my fingers. The sunlight hits her eyes, bringing out tiny flecks of gold. “An experiment.”

She drops her gaze, following the line my fingers trace, watching the shivers surface. “You’re enjoying that way too much.”

“As if you’re not,” I reply with a wink, then move my hand to her face, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “We should probably get up soon.”

Right on cue, my stomach growls in protest, and Max giggles.

I’m starving. Last night, my massive jumble of anxiety didn’t let me eat much at the party, and with all the energy I’ve spent since then, I feel like I could eat an entire breakfast buffet. Maybe even two.

She moans into the pillow, the sound heading straight to my crotch. Then she turns onto her back, and the sheet falls away, revealing her perfect breasts. Hurriedly, she tugs the sheet up beneath her chin, hiding herself, but when she glances over at me, and her eyes fall to my bare chest, then drop to my naked waist, her cheeks turn bright pink.

“Um, you maybe wanna cover that?” she suggests, noticing my uncovered morning wood.

“Why? Does seeing me naked bother you?” I turn onto my back, tucking my arms behind my head, and my semi-hard dick bobs against my lower stomach.

“No, not at all,” she answers.