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I wake up thinking I slept all night, but when I stretch and look at the clock, I see it’s only been a couple of hours.
“No, wait! Go back!” James yells.
Turning my head, I see this sexy man sitting in a chair in only his boxers, pencil to paper with only the light of a lamp to help him see. I smile at him as I go back to how I woke in bed.
* * *
He didn’t stay the night.
Instead, he sketched for another hour, kissed me breathless, and then we made plans to do this again next month so he could finish.
The next morning, I showered the amazing day before off of me, my muscles tired and sore in the best way. Bite marks and bruises dotted my thighs and hips, making me smile to myself as I traced them with my fingers. With Nolan away for work the next few days, I was able to enjoy the sight of them before they faded.
On my next Thursday away, I was disappointed again when James didn’t show up. But just like last time, he ordered and paid for me. A dirty chai latte and a cranberry orange muffin. His note read: Dirty looks good on you. See you soon, beautiful. I blushed so hard reading his note, embarrassed that the barista read it.
This same thing happened the next couple of weeks. He wasn’t there, but he’d leave me a treat and a note, each one making me swoon a little more than the last.
Nolan was still working like crazy and gone all the time. Besides quick kisses here and there and spooning at night—if I was home and I was lucky enough to see him—that was it.
I was conflicted about my feelings for both Nolan and James. I liked them both. I didn’t want to give up either of them, but I knew I had to sooner or later. As greedy as I wanted to be, I knew I couldn’t keep both of them.
When James walked into the Burned Bean, my heart skipped a beat after not seeing him for those two weeks. My eyes zeroed in on his tight ass as he walked to the counter to order, not glancing my way. But when he turned with his coffee in hand, he locked onto me, and neither one of us saw anything but the other person.
I licked my lips, craving the taste of his lips. His eyes dropped to my mouth and then back up again. “I was hoping I’d made up how beautiful you were, but no. Here you are, looking like a goddess in the window.”
“Stop,” I tell him, dipping my head. “I didn’t think you were going to show again.”
“I needed to see you. Work be damned.”
“This weekend—”
“Yes,” he says before I even finish.
Biting my lip, I nod. “Same as last time.”
“I’ll be there.” He smiles over the rim of his mug. “I need to finish my drawing.” He pauses, soaking me in with his gaze. “And we need to talk about getting rid of the unneeded man in your life.”
I swallow thickly over the lump in my throat as guilt strangles me. “Okay.”
I should have said more, but I was worried that things would be weird between us. They’re not. We sit and talk like we always have. The only difference this time is that when our cups are drained dry and we stand to leave, he kisses me.
Sliding his hand into my hair, he pulls me to him, kissing me much like he did in the hotel room. I moan into his mouth when his tongue sweeps against mine. Stepping into him closer, I feel his erection and purposely rub against him, making him hiss and nip at my lips.
Resting his forehead against mine, he looks into my eyes once more. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow.”
“And then it’ll be just you and me,” he whispers, pecking my lips one last time before he leaves.
I watch him go, my fingers mindlessly tracing my kiss swollen lips, feeling lighter than I have in weeks.
And it’s because of James.
Chapter Twelve
JAMES
Knowing I need to end this… thing we have going on is easier to accept when I don’t see her. I’ve been avoiding her the last couple of weeks for a reason, but yesterday I had to see her. Kiss her.
