Had this Braden been the one I met on the plane, we may have gotten here sooner. But then, would we have done theotherstuff? Because that’s the part I’m most glad we did. So Cici’s motto could be spot-on, and everything does happen for a reason.
“What now?” I ask once the check is paid, which he insisted on taking care of.
“So…” He turns his body to face me and lowers to kiss my hand.
The feel of his lips on my skin instantly causes a pulse of desire.
He sits up straight, looking pensive, almost afraid to continue. “I didn’t want to be presumptuous, but I have a room in town and was hoping you’d spend the weekend with me.”
My jaw drops at the declaration, unsure if I’m excited at the prospect or horrified.
“We have fantastic chemistry, and I haven’t stopped thinking about you.”
I bite my lip, contemplating. I’m supposed to talk with Owen tonight and am already feeling guilty for considering this. Plus, do I want to end up in his bed again? Because that’s obviously where this is headed.
“Look,” he continues before I say no. Not that I was going to. “It doesn’t have to be sexual. We can just hang out.”
I raise my brows and look at him sarcastically. “You don’t actually expect me to believe that, do you?”
He throws his hands up in surrender. “Really. We can read a book in person together, play board games, watch TV… whatever you want.” When I still don’t respond, he adds, “I’m serious.”
“I’m sure you are. But you’re smarter than that. Do you honestly think we could stay in a hotel room overnight without… you know…”
“Fucking like rabbits?” He smirks while wagging his brows.
I can’t help but laugh at the familiar flirty behavior.
He keeps going, trying to convince me. “Like I said, there’s no denying we’re fire in the bedroom, but that’s not why I’m here. If anything happens, it’ll be because you want it to. Otherwise, my goal is just to be with you.”
My brows scrunch doubtingly. “To what end?”
Braden
It’s a fair question and one I don’t have an answer for. But what can I say to convince her? I’m dying for her to spend the night with me because, quite frankly, I’m desperate for this woman. And not just her body, which I wouldn’t say no to, but—I’m simply desperate forher.
I’m not sure where this desire is coming from or why now, but I’ve spent enough time trying to analyze it with no clear answers. So rather than continuing to overthink, I’ve decided to go with my gut for now and deal with the consequences later.
I move closer and wrap an arm around her like I’ve wanted to do all night. “How about we take it one night at a time? You don’t have to commit to the whole weekend.” I’m practically begging at this point, but I don’t care. I’m willing to do a lot more than that for this woman.
I’m disappointed at the torment on her face. Is she conflicted because she’s supposed to talk to Owen tonight? Maybe she feels guilty for dating both of us at the same time. Good. Hopefully, she’ll be wracked with so much guilt that she’llstoptalking to him and solve my problem for me.
“Did you have other plans?” Shit, I didn’t consider she could be seeing someone else. Fuck. I haven’t completely thought this through.
“No. I mean, yes, but that’s not why I’m hesitating. It’s just hard to wrap my head around…” She motions between us with her hand. “You and me. I’m not oblivious to our chemistry, and as much as I’d like to give in, the rational part of me knows it’s a bad idea. I still don’t understand how this can go anywhere, and I’m not the type of person who can have meaningless sex… long-term.”
“That’s not what I’m asking for. Why don’t we take it one day at a time and not overthink it? Can you do that for now?”
She doesn’t answer immediately but sips her champagne instead. I’m not sure when I became so invested, but the thought of her turning me down makes my gut clench. After what seems like forever, she finally nods her acquiescence, and my lungs release the breath I was holding.
With the knowledge of being her first, I want nothing more than to have a chance to show her a gentler version of me, which, in all fairness, doesn’t come naturally, but I’m willing to give it my best effort. Only if the night takes us in that direction, though, because for once, I’m letting her lead… with a little nudge here and there.
With that settled, I discovered the interesting fact that Poppy keeps an overnight bag in her car for just-in-case situations after I offered to stop at her house on the way to our next destination. Part of my surprise is the ultimate date she described to Owen, bringing her to different places for each course. We’ll end the night with dessert in my favorite location—the bedroom.
I found out she’s familiar with the restaurant I chose, Gallatin River Lodge, which, as the name implies, conveniently has on-site rooms.
We enjoy an amazing dinner in front of large glass doors with a view of the pond and meadow. Once I settle the bill, it’s obvious her nerves are creeping in. So instead of going straight to the room, I have a better idea since the sun is about to set.
I gently hold her arm to stop her before reaching the exit. “Hey, how about we grab our coats and one more glass of wine to enjoy while we watch the sunset outside before we grab your bag. We can sit in the pavilion or walk around the pond. Whichever you want.”
