He nods and smiles as he dips part of his crust in a dish of honey. He’s devoured over half the pizza, which is saying something since we ordered a large and it’s exactly that,large.
“I’m glad.” And relieved. I chose the place not having any idea what kind of food he might like.
We’re at Cooke’s hotel, sitting at the small dining table in the second living area of his two-room suite. I’m not sure it’s as fancy as the places Cooke usually stays, but he hasn’t complained. I mean, the room is nice. I took a little tour when we first got here. There’s a king-size bed with a big wall-mounted television, closet, and sitting area in the other room. This room has a larger living area with an even larger TV, along with a kitchenette and this dining table. All in all, I think it’s not bad.
We’ve been quiet for a few minutes. Part of that is me not wanting to ask him how long he’s staying, but I need to know so I can plan fun things for him to do. “So”—I place my half-eaten piece of pizza back down on my napkin—“how long are you staying?”
He nods, chews, and then swallows his big bite. “One more night. I fly out the following morning.”
“Oh.” What did I think? He was going to stay a week or two? Of course not. “Well, what would you like to do tomorrow? I don’t work.” And I can skip my afternoon classes. Probably.
“I’d like a tour of your campus, I promised the rugby lads I’d visit their practice tomorrow evening, and I’d love to take you to dinner.”
“I’d like that.” The conversation lags, so I ask, “Are you having a good time so far?”
He smiles between bites. “I am. I’m just knackered.”
Oh, I know what that means—he’s tired. “That’s right. You’re on UK time. I’m so sorry. I should go and let you sleep.” I quickly stand and search for somewhere to throw my trash.
“Stay.”
I halt. “St-Stay?”
“Stay. It’s a big bed. I won’t even be tempted.”
I feel the flush hit my cheeks instantaneously. “Of course not.” Why would he be tempted by me? Sure, he kissed me, but I swear I’ve had a more passionate kiss with my brother.
Wait. Don’t… I didn’t mean it like that. All I meant was his was barely a kiss. It was a peck, like when you see your grandma and grandpa kiss. Like that. Geesh. I’m not a perv. And neither is my brother. You know what? Forget I said anything. All I mean was his kiss was nothing. A tiny blip on the giant radar of life.
“Quinn.”
“No, I think I’ll, uh, call an Uber.”
“Quinn, love.”
I throw my things away, trying to keep busy. I must be tired too, because this shouldn’t make me emotional. It’s just that sleeping in a room with the lights on almost all the time has been difficult. The girls aren’t noisy, mostly, but there’s a lot of activity on the upper level. I’m sort of used to the dungeon I called home for a month or so.
“Quinn?”
I turn and he’s right there.
“What?” I snap.
“Don’t go.”
“You need to sleep. I have to get up early. My stuff is at home. I’m not at all worried that you’d be tempted by me. Not in the least. I just prefer to sleep in my own bed.” Lies. All Lies.
“Fine.” He releases a gust of air. I feel it on my forehead. “I’ll drive you.”
“No.” Grabbing my purse, I head to the door. “See you tomorrow?”
“Damn it, Quinn. Stay.” He’s running his fingers through his hair angrily.
Why? Why wouldhebe angry?I’mthe one who should be angry. At myself. Every time a guy pays any attention to me, I get lofty, romantic ideas in my head. I’m stupid. Pathetic. I need to stop with the optimism and turn to realism. Life isn’t a fairy tale. It isn’t a romance novel where the big girl gets the hot man. It’s just not how things work in real life.
I reach for the door handle and start to turn it when I feel myself being pulled away from the door. The next thing I know, my back is firmly against said door, and Cooke’s mouth is on mine in a decidedly un-grandfatherly kiss. It was so sudden that my mouth was open when he started it. His tongue slips into my mouth, and I do what anyone would do—I touch my tongue to his. I haven’t had a chance to figure out what to do with my hands, so they’re just down at my sides. His hands are in my hair. I should put mine in his hair, but when I try, I can’t get them there. That’s when he takes my hands in his and lifts them until they’re up above my head. It’s shocking and sexy, so I moan and press myself against him, getting as close to him as I can.
“You have—” He stops talking to kiss his way down my neck. “—no idea how fecking beautiful you are.” His mouth moves down the middle of my chest to my little bit of cleavage thanks to my V-neck tee. “The second I saw you—” His lips slide up the other side of my neck to my ear, where he suckles on my lobe. “—I knew.”
