“I’m sorry it’s all come to this,” she said from the chaise, her voice gravelly with emotion.
“You have nothing to be sorry for.” I ran my hand through my hair, spending a slow beat marveling at the exquisiteness in front of me. “Where is your drink?” I finally asked, sick of all thesorrys andwe can’ts and family aggravation. For one more night, I wanted easy—
Who the hell was I kidding? I wanted this each and every evening of my life.
“Oh, I left it out there on the end table,” she said, starting to sit up, her hair cascading around her face.
“Sit,” I instructed and went to fetch her wineglass, refilling it and refreshing my scotch before returning to sit by her feet on the edge of the chaise. “Cheers.” I handed her the wine, and her pointer finger reached out to touch my thumb. It was a tiny gesture, but one meant to sayit’s all going to be okay.
“If it makes you feel any better, I heard from Caro, who wanted to check on me. She was worried because I hadn’t even called or messaged during the few days of Christmas, but you know what happened then. Anyway, she said my mom is in a tizzy too that this isn’t getting done faster.”
I took another gulp of scotch, allowing the burn to hit my belly, and then I reached out, taking Tulya’s empty hand. “You’re so beautiful,” I blurted out, my pulse beatingFuck the rules.
“Don,” she whispered.
“I love when you shorten my name,” I admitted like a teenaged, lovesick fool. She squeezed my fingers. “I’m sorry Caro was worried, but also I’m not. It was the best Christmas of my life,” I said with some kind of hazy word vomit.
“Caro covered for me, which is slightly surprising, but she said I texted her to tell everyone Merry Christmas. She also reported that Bruno is misbehaving. Apparently he saw Prim on Christmas Day.Lordy, he’s going to get me in more hot water.”
I noticed her face was clean of any makeup and took in the loose white sweatshirt hanging off her shoulder, clocking the absence of a bra strap. I wanted to start licking her right there at the tip of her clavicle and not stop until I hit home.
“I am tired of all the nonsense,” she whispered. “Our families, the drama, and the tasks ahead. I want to forget.”
She leaned forward, setting her now empty wineglass next to her, and allowed her lips to hover in front of me. I wanted nothing more than to take her lips—fuck it, her whole body—with mine.
“Time stops when I’m with you,” she whispered.
My palm slid around the back of her neck, and I held her gaze steady with mine. “Every minute with you is stolen. I’ve never wanted to be a criminal more, thieving my way through life if it means more of you, Tulya.”
She swallowed and I watched as a montage of emotions flashed across her face. Hurt, caring, fear, adoration—they were all there.
I wanted to pocket each one and hold on to them as a keepsake—the many facets of Tulya.
“I want one more night,” I told her. It was selfish and brash, but her eyes told me all I needed to know. Her desire for me was just the same.
“If I can’t have all the nights, I will settle for one more.” That was all she said before sealing her lips to mine.
I allowed my empty tumbler to hit the soft carpet before scooping Tulya in my arms and carrying her to the bed. My palm found her bare shoulder, then my tongue replaced my hand, my earlier fantasy coming true.
Leisurely taking my time, I explored every single fiber of her body, using all my senses. I watched her breath rise and fall in her chest as my hand grazed small goose bumps pebbling along her skin. I yearned to record the soft moans coming from her so I could listen to them forever. Finally, I inhaled her desire before tasting every ounce of her need. It was a decadent exploration, one I didn’t want to end.
After I took my time drawing every last climax from her body, I softly dragged my length from her, and for a short moment I had my fill. We wound ourselves around one another, narrowingall gaps of space—emotional and physical—between us. It was only when we’d exhausted ourselves that we fell asleep in each other’s arms for the final time. Never had I ever wanted a night to not end…
Tulya
Cinder appeared in the common area as I was pouring my coffee. I was still wearing a robe. She was dressed and ready to go.
Luckily, I’d woken early, having to pee, and extracted myself from Donovan’s room, so I’d entered from my bedroom. There was no point in starting any rumors back home, and I didn’t trust Cinder with any proprietary information. Certainly not in the agitated state she was in, which was becoming more evident by the minute.
“Are you getting ready? We have to go.” She stood still, waiting for an answer. Then she began tapping her foot—I was on the clock. Playtime was over where Cinder was concerned.
“I will be” was all I gave her.
I was used to my mother bossing me around, but not a contemporary. I’d meant it last night when I said I was growing tired of the drama and the stress.
“Let’s go, Tuvy. My entire life is basically hanging on you getting your shit together.”
I nodded, taking my coffee and hurrying back to my bedroom where I guzzled the caffeine and slipped into a quick, hot shower, washing off any evidence of my evening.
