“Can I take you home and show you how much I still love you?” I asked, reading the change in mood. She gave me a feather-light kiss that made my stomach tingle. Sweet Kitty was just as much fun as Bad Girl Kitty.
“I’d like that.”
Chapter 33
Kitty
The door to Guy’s hotel room clicked shut behind us. He looked at me with soft eyes. My heart pounded, the whole scene feeling like one of those visions before a migraine: surreal and distorted. I went from an average New York night to being reunited with my oldest, brightest flame. And him getting me off in a dirty alley? My life was strange indeed.
“Kitty, we don’t have to do anything sexual.” Guy leaned into the door, respecting my space.
“Says the man who just fingered me in an alley,” I retorted.
“I realize that may have been a little much,” he said. “I’m sorry.”
“I had fun. Nice having ourold dynamic back.” I pushed up on my toes and kissed him. His lips met me softly, his hand moving into my hair, thumb at my jaw. His eyes opened slowly as I pulled away. Those gentle Guy kisses made me feel so cherished, another thing I’d missed.
“Yes, but we should probably ease into things. Wanna get down to our undies and be skeletons?”
I couldn’t help but grin. I agreed and slipped into the bathroom, giving myself a hard look in the mirror. I was me, but there was a certain lightness I hadn’t had before my show. I forgot how much Guy completed me and made me whole.
“Get over here,ma puce,” Guy called from the bed when I emerged from the bathroom. His gaze combed over me as I peeled off my shirt and dropped my jeans. I felt the need to cover myself even though we’d seen each other naked countless times.
I groaned as I slipped under the sheets, the relief of lying down taking over.
“Feels nice, huh?” Guy said, sliding over to me, placing his hand on my side, and kissing my forehead. I traced my fingers down his arm as our legs tangled together. My muscles instantly oozed with relaxation. It had been a while since I’d had snuggles, particularly snuggles that weren’t perfunctory. We were there because we wanted to be.
“So nice,” I agreed. I felt nervous and a little awkward, not quite knowing what to say. “So, how have your last few years been? How’s Grandmere?”
Guy’s face fell. He shook his head. My stomach turned.
“She’s gone? When?”
“Last February.”
“Why didn’t you tell me? I would have been there for you, Guy. In a heartbeat.”
He wouldn’t meet my gaze. “You were with him.”
“That doesn’t mean I don’t care about you and your family, Guy. What happened to us being a family? Did you tell my mom?”
“It hurt too much,Kitty. I couldn’t see you as just a friend anymore. I still can’t. You’re my everything, and I couldn’t deal with being your nothing.” I felt like he’d put a pin in my balloon.
“You’re not my nothing,” I said. “I never stopped loving you, Guy.”
Guy moved his hand to caress around my belly button, gaze tracking the movement. “I want this so bad, Birdy.” His voice was brittle. “I want you back. No matter what it takes. We only get one life and I want you in mine. My life is only a half-life with you gone.”
“I know what you mean,” I said. “It’s not the same without you.”
Guy’s eyes finally floated up to mine, the little scar on his upper lip from a puck he took there quivering. “Be with me, Kitty. Don’t make me live without you.”
I bit my lip, holding back tears. “I didn’t expect this. I don’t know what to say.”
“Say yes. I let you go too easily last time. I’m asking for what I want this time. I want you, Kitty. All of you. No holding part of yourself back so you won’t get hurt. I have everything else I want. But none of it means anything if I don’t have you.”
I wanted him back. Of course, I did. I still didn’t know how it was all going to work, though. I couldn’t commit the way he wanted me to at that moment. But I needed him.
I placed my fingers on his lips and sniffled. “None of the complicated stuff,” I reminded him. “Just being together.”
