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“Thanks. I had the entire bathroom redone after my parents moved out, but I’ve never actually used both sinks at once until now.” He winked at me in the reflection when we made eye contact in the glass. “Thanks for giving that one over there purpose.”
I glowed from the affectionate gesture and started to brush out my hair with the comb he’d let me borrow. “You’re welcome. That’s what I’m here for.”
With a husky chuckle, he snuck over to my side and wrapped his arms around my waist so he could kiss and nuzzle the back of my neck. “Reason number one why I should keep you, huh?” he teased.
Except the wordkeepmade me go stiff with surprise.
I’d been having so much fun with him, living in the moment and enjoying every second for what it was, that I hadn’t thought about the future or any kind of permanence or even what this meant for us now. But the fresh reminder was a wake-up call.
Whatwerewe doing? I’d learned loud and clear last night from his friends that he didn’t do casual flings, and I’d slept with him anyway, probably giving him the message that I was open to something more.
But…was I?
I actually didn’t know.
I suddenly felt panicked and overwhelmed.
I’d used his shower, and water, and soap, and now his comb was in my hair. That was boyfriend/girlfriend shit right there. Had I just unknowingly entered into a monogamous relationship with a guy for the first time in my life and not even realized it?
Sensing my distress, Damien glanced at me and froze. Horror grew in his expression. “I didn’t mean…” he started immediately. “I was—it was just a joke. That’s all.”
I nodded. “O…okay,” I answered jerkily. But now reality was back, andIwanted to know what we were. Fuck. I didn’t even know what Iwantedus to be.
Because I’d had a great time, too. I didn’t want this to end. And my instincts were screaming for me to grab hold of such an amazing guy and just keep him. Butthishad not been on my agenda at all.
I had goals.
Plans.
Boyfriends were an obstacle I didn’t want to deal with for the next two years.
But, oh my God, Damien made the idea soundreallyappealing. I was pretty much convinced he’d beworthstrings and complications and obstacles.
Which was why I needed to think about this.
“I… I’m going to go put some clothes on,” I announced abruptly, pointing back into the bedroom and hoping I didn’t sound too scared, like I wanted to escape. Except I needed a moment right now.
He nodded immediately. “Yeah. Of course.” But the worry swimming in his eyes told me that he thought he’d messed up. He even opened his mouth, and I knew—I just knew—he wanted to ask if I was okay. But then he pressed his lips together, forced a tense smile, and settled for nodding.
I wanted to assure him that nothing was wrong—he hadn’t messed up. If anything, he’d been too amazing—but I was still freaked out by the barrage of emotions attacking me, telling me how much I liked him.
“I’m just going to trim my beard,” he added as he opened a drawer and pulled out an electric razor to give me a moment alone. “I’ll be out in a minute.”
“Okay.” I nodded and made sure to run my hands across his bare back as I passed by to reassure him. He sucked in a breath and glanced over his shoulder at me with whiskey eyes full of hope and fear.
In the bedroom, I shut the door behind me, then rushed to pull on my clothes as the buzz of his razor echoed through the closed door.
Once dressed, I crossed my arms over my chest and then began to chew on my thumbnail, with no idea what to do now.
I was so sure I’d be able to think straight as soon as I had my clothes on, but the entire room smelled like him, and I was more confused now than ever.
The man had invaded all my senses.
Hugging myself, I glanced around, hoping to spy something to ground me and help me think logically. But the first thing I spotted was the pair of panties I’d given him hanging from his bedpost.
He’d put them there on purpose so he could see them every morning when he woke. To think of me, first thing.
Damn, this was too heavy. I’d only wanted one night of no-strings sex to help clear my head. But now, everything was cloudier than ever.
