I forced out a nervous laugh, despite the unexpected gut punch. Why did her answer knock the wind out of me? I understood her reasons, as I had them too, but hearing her say she never wanted to get married again unnerved me in a way I couldn’t explain.
Or could, but there was only so much I could face in one evening.
“Ready to call it a night?” she asked after the last dance.
“Up to you,” I said, that bed haunting my thoughts once again, knowing that I’d have to climb in next to Sabrina and keep my desires and hands to myself.
I hadn’t spoken to all of Sabrina’s family tonight, but every single relative came up to us once we decided to leave. After we said good night to her niece, every aunt, uncle, and old neighbor stopped us on the way out.
I didn’t mind the stalling, but my impatience to get to the room and deal with whatever I needed to gnawed at me.
Once we finally made it out and headed to the hotel elevators, ten people came in behind us, pushing the button for every fucking floor.
“If you don’t mind, I’ll change first,” Sabrina said once we got inside.
Was I the only one in fear of this bed tonight? She was acting like this was just a sleepover between friends, and maybe that’s all it would be. I seemed to be the only one in this room with a fucked-up head.
“Sure, go ahead.”
After she disappeared into the bathroom, I peeled off my suit jacket and unbuttoned my shirt, laughing at myself. I was getting worked up for nothing. I’d get into bed with a beautiful woman, and nothing would happen or change.
I expected a rush of relief, not a pang of disappointment.
“Sorry, I forgot my?—”
Sabrina stilled when she spotted me, roaming her eyes over my bare chest.
“Sorry, I thought I’d change while you were in there. I didn’t expect you to come out so soon.”
“Yeah, um… I usually take longer, but I forgot my skincare in my other bag,” she explained in a nervous rush.
“Like what you see?” I taunted, flicking my eyes down my torso. “You may want to close your mouth before it gets dry.”
She narrowed her eyes at me as she dug into her overnight bag and headed back to the bathroom.
I couldn’t hide the wide grin splitting my mouth as I packed away my suit and fished my bed clothes out of my bag. It was always fun getting a rise out of Sabrina.
It was fun holding her and kissing her at will tonight too. But that game didn’t apply in this room.
Or it shouldn’t.
“Okay, all yours,” Sabrina finally called out. I grabbed my toothbrush and tried not to look at her, but those little sleep shorts showcasing her long legs were impossible not to notice.
I took my time in the bathroom, hoping maybe she’d fall asleep if I stayed in there long enough. I splashed cold water on my face after I pulled on my T-shirt and boxers.
“I thought you fell in,” she said when I pushed the bathroom door open.
“Do you think all this just happens?” I pointed to my face. “I need to set myself up for beauty sleep.”
I climbed into bed, settling enough on the edge to keep my distance but not fall off.
“I don’t have a disease, Caden. You can come closer.”
No, I really couldn’t.
“I’m trying to be a gentleman over here.”
“I need to ask you something,” she said, searching my gaze as she settled onto her side. “And I want you to be honest with me.”
