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“I hate this about myself,” she muttered. It was the first break he’d ever seen in her confidence.
“Does it help that I don’t hate it about you at all?”
“How are you so comfortable?” She spread her hands helplessly. “How is everything so easy for you?”
The skimpy red dress looked different on her now, like one of those flimsy costumes that came in a bag. Her dark eyes were liquid, her shoulders tense.
When she spoke again, her voice cracked. “Why do you want me to stay if we’re not going to fuck?”
“Because…” Brendan began, not knowing where this was going. Finally, on a gamble, he held out his arms. “Come here.”
Sonia’s chest rose and fell. She took a quick step toward him, then another. Meeting her halfway, he wrapped his arms around her. When she relaxed, he rested his cheek against the top of her head.
“You’re right,” he said quietly. “A lot of things have been easy for me. But underneath?”
She rubbed her face against his shirt. There was a patience about her now, like she could wait forever.
Underneath, I’m about to crack from all the pressure at work. I’m having nightmares about Ian’s wedding, about him and Di, when I love them both. I’ve been feeling more alone, more fucking scared, than I ever have.
Until you.
She pressed her ear to his chest. “I can hear your heart beating.”
“Mmm. Make it stop.”
Sonia laughed, the sound rushing out of her. “Can we stay like this for a little while?”
He exhaled. “As long as you want.”
As her arms came up to surround him, he gently rubbed her back.
Brendan didn’t know how long the embrace lasted. A moment, an eternity — it didn’t matter. But as the minutes passed, his cock hardened.
He willed it to go down. This wasn’t the time for sex, and he didn’t want Sonia to feel pressured. But she was so warm and alive in his arms, her breasts soft and full against his chest, her lithe body fitting perfectly against his. He couldn’t control the bulge that pressed against her belly.
Carefully, he eased back an inch, trying to give her space.
Sonia shook herself, suddenly becoming taut. Sliding out of his embrace, she turned to survey the bedroom.
“So this is your room. Can I look around?”
Brendan held up his hands. “Go wild.”
Some of Sonia’s old jauntiness returned as she prowled around. “Looks like a fucking hotel. Do you actually sleep here? This bed is straight out of a catalog.” She patted the neatly made bed with its white sheets and dark wooden frame. “I can’t believe you own actual, printed photos. Are these from high school?” Brendan nodded. “Wow, you’ve got the politician smile down already. Sixteen-year-old you is giving me the creeps.” Sonia studied the display of family and friends on his dresser before moving on to inspect the bookshelves. “Brendan O’Brian. Sweet Jesus help us all.Influence? The Magic of Thinking Big? The Power of Positive Thinking?Have you actually read these things?”
“Multiple times.” He grinned.
“Do you readanythingbesides relentless self-improvement and ways to take over the world? Any fiction?”
He shrugged. “I’d rather watch a movie or TV.”
Sonia folded her arms, looking him over like he’d failed a test.
“Are you judging me, Yale girl?”
“Yes.”
He moved behind her. Without thinking, he stroked the curve of her back. “What can I say? I prefer visuals.”
