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“Nowyoulook sad,” she whispered.
“Because I can’t stand to see you hurt. If I was a better man, I’d never have put you in this position.”
“You’re the best man I know.”
“You need to expand your repertoire,” he murmured.
“I don’t want anybody but you.”
“Ditto,” Michael whispered. “And for the record, I’m falling for you, too.”
She put her hands on his shoulders, feeling the ripple of his muscles. “Let’s take a bath.”
“Now?”
“Yeah.” She nodded. She wanted to relax with him. Cleanse the night off. Feel him holding her as the water rippled around them.
They had one last night together before they had to go home. And she wanted them both to enjoy it.
“Okay,” he said, pushing himself off the wall. “You run the water, I’ll grab some champagne.”
* * *
Michael tipped his head back on the pillow, looking up at the ceiling as Grace lay sleeping on his bare chest, her arm flung across his waist.
They’d only had sex twice tonight. Which had been some kind of modesty record. First in the bath, so sweet it had made his skin tingle. Then in the bed when their skin was warm and damp. She’d looked so beautiful staring up at him.
It was almost seven in the morning, and he hadn’t been able to sleep since four. Once the sex-exhaustion had worn off the over thinking had begun. He hadn’t lied earlier. He hated the thought of hurting her.
She was too precious for that.
Let’s stop hiding.
He wished it was that easy. That he could wave a magic wand and everything would be okay. But he’d been on this rollercoaster before. Seen his family ripped apart by lies. He couldn’t be the one to do it.
It would kill him. And her.
He should let her go. Let her find somebody her own age.
Somebody like Ethan? Or do you prefer Pascal?
He pushed that thought away. Not all guys her age were assholes like them. But enough were.
But maybe he was the biggest asshole of all. Because he couldn’t let her go. Not when his fucking heart beat for her. Not when everything felt perfect whenever she was around.
He was too damn selfish to be noble.
His phone started to ring and Grace turned in his arms. He grabbed it and groaned, turning it off when he saw Josh’s name flashing on the screen.
His brother had a habit of calling at stupid times in the morning. He’d call him later, when he wasn’t holding Grace.
When she didn’t feel so good.
“What time is it?” she asked, looking up at him, her voice thick with sleep.
“Seven.”
“That early?” Her eyes were only half open.
