Holy crap. The combination of his warmth, his clean scent, and his hard length pressing into my stomach makes me moan, an embarrassing noise I try to cover with a light cough.
“Shit. You’ve never made that noise before,” Carter whispers, his eyes still closed.
I pause, staring at him. He’s…does he think he’s dreaming?
I’m glad his eyes are closed, because I am fully incapable of keeping the amused smile off my face, though it does present a bit of a conundrum for me. On one hand, I’m pleased to know I’m not the only one who’s been having dirty dreams about us; on the other, I’m not sure how to turn this dream into reality without making it awkward. I bite my lip, taking a moment to nuzzle into his chest, when suddenly his arms go rigid around me.
I look up without moving from my new favorite location to find Carter’s head angled down just enough that I can see his wide eyes past his jaw.
Offering a tentative smile, I say, “Morning” again before snuggling deeper into him.
He hesitates, his body still tense, before bringing his cheek down onto the top of my head.
A small sigh escapes me, and we stay like that for a minute, ignoring the world, the questions, and the morning wood that are trying to force themselves into our moment of peace.
“So, I have a proposition,” I say when his cock twitches against my stomach and my body rebels, telling me it’s had enough cuddling.
Carter chuckles, his warm breath moving the hairs on the top of my head. “A proposition, huh? So formal.”
“Do you want to hear it or not?” I tease.
“Oh, there is nothing I’d like more.”
How does one propose sex to the man who’s currently wrapped around them? It feels like it should be easier. Do I use the wordfuck? Do people still saybang? Do I just run my fingers along his dick and see what happens?
“I think we should hook up.”
Carter goes still, only his heartbeat letting me know he’s still alive. “You…you…what?” he asks.
“It can just be a one-time thing if that would make you more comfortable, but we’re here. I mean, it’s almost like the universe wants this to happen, and everything has just been so stressful lately, and I really enjoy hanging out with you…though maybe that’s something that should go in the con column… Anyway, can you please just say something?”
What in the world was that? Since when do I ramble? I am not a rambler. Has my sister infected my mind with her constant rambling in uncomfortable situations?
The warmth of Carter’s body presses into me as he uses his weight to roll me onto my back. Looking down into my eyes as if searching for something, Carter’s hand comes to my face, his thumb stroking my cheek lightly. He leans in, lightly pressing a kiss to my lips, his eyes fluttering closed with the movement.
I let my eyes fall closed too as I lean up into the warmth of his kiss.
Wanting more—needing more—I pull him over me, lacing my hand through the soft strands of his hair. I flick my tongue along the seam of his mouth, silently requesting entry, but he pulls away, hovering over me.
“I’m not interested in a one-time thing,” he says, and my heart curls in around itself, the pain of the rejection pulsing through my soul.
“Oh,” I say, forcing myself to meet his eyes. “Okay. Sorry, I shouldn’t have assumed…”
I trail off as I notice the slight smile tugging on his lips.
“Kels, I’m not interested in aone-time thing. Once I get a taste of you—of us—there is no way I’m going to be able to stop. So, if this is just a one-time hookup in your mind, I’m out, as physically painful as it’ll be.”
I bite my lip to hide my grin. However, I know I need to ask a follow-up question. “But we’re not dating, right? Like, we aren’t going to hold hands in front of the team or anything?”
“Is that what you want?” he asks, his eyes searching mine.
“I don’t want people knowing my business. I don’t want people congratulating you for hooking up with me while judging me for sleeping with you. And I especially don’t want us sleeping together to somehow make it so neither of us gets the contract with Jaxon.”
Carter’s weight shifts, and he places a soft kiss on my cheek.
“I don’t think Jaxon would do that.”
“Are you willing to risk it?” I ask, daring him to make a bold choice for both of us.
