After a few seconds, I started to lift myself up to slip him out, but he grabbed my hips to stop me.
“Wait. Please,” he said gently. “Can we just… stay like this for a minute?”
My insides melted, and a goofy smile made its way across my face. I had to admit, the feel of his semi-hard cock in me was nice, and I didn’t really have the energy to move.
If he wanted to stay this way, we could.
“Sure. As long as you want,” I said, settling on his chest again. I closed my eyes and listened as the frantic beat of his heart gradually slowed.
I was worried I’d drift off to sleep, now that I was completely fucking sated, but he could wake me up if he needed to.
This moment was too perfect to ruin, and I wanted to savor it as long as possible.
Until the serene little bubble where only the two of us existed had to pop.
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
ARINA
I slipped into the most peaceful, dreamless sleep while curled up against Daze’s chest, and he woke me a couple of hours later. We were still alone in the convention center, and despite the safety net ropes eating into my skin, I didn’t want to move.
“Cielito, why don’t we get you back to the bus, so you can sleep?” he asked, brushing over my cheek with the backs of his fingers.
I grumbled.
“I know, I don’t want to move either.” He kissed the top of my head, and I could have melted right then and there. “But you didn’t want to get in trouble, remember?”
Shit.
He was right.
We could stay here, but when troupe members showed up in the morning, it would be obvious that we broke in. Not to mention, it would be clear we spent the night together, and I wasn’t sure I was ready for the questions or speculation that would follow.
Going back to the clown bus was, unfortunately, the best option.
If I was lucky, we could do this again very soon.
Maybe tonight?
“Fine,” I groaned and attempted to roll away from Daze’s muscular form. He had to help me get my footing and show me how to climb down from the net. I was disappointed but also glad to be on solid ground again.
As he led us back through the maze of hallways and out the back door, he kept one of his arms draped over my shoulders. Despite how much I loved the feeling, I had to keep reminding myself that this meant nothing.
We were still just friends, despite the warm flutter in my chest that wouldn’t go away.
Just friends, despite the ache between my thighs from him tenderly fucking me.
Just friends…
When we reached the clown bus, he stopped and pulled me into his chest. My arms instinctively went around his waist, and he rested his chin on my head. We stood there, slowly swaying back and forth as the sky lightened with a hint of the impending sunrise.
I didn’t want to move, didn’t want the night to end, despite the exhaustion dragging me down.
Daze pulled away first, just enough to look at my face.
“What are you doing to me, cielito?” he whispered, barely loud enough for me to hear.
My pulse stuttered, but before I could ask what he meant, he leaned down and pressed his lips against mine. I sighed as his tongue swiped into my mouth, and my thoughts went fuzzy.
