“So…you’re staying, then?”
I pulled back a little, but he wasn’t looking at me. He was staring just above my head. His face was stoic, giving nothing away.
“I’m staying,” I said softly. “For a while longer.”
I couldn’t give him an exact answer, because I didn’t know. I had no idea where I was going from here. This was unprecedented territory. I should be looking for another job. I should be going back home—exactly like he’d said—and makinga plan for what I hoped to accomplish in the next five to ten years now that the firm was no longer in my future.
I might have to start over, and the quicker I got to it, the better…but I couldn’t bring myself to. Not right now. I couldn’t leave Ember Hollow until I knew that Graham would be safe. That Raleigh and Warner were safe.
Graham let out a long breath, and then he kissed my forehead.
“How about we get some food?” He arched a brow. “Room service?”
I gave him a look. “The bed-and-breakfast has room service?”
“Of course.” He winked. “I am the room service. Unless you’d rather go downstairs and eat at the table?”
My nose wrinkled. The thought of leaving this bed wasn’t appealing. I’d much rather eat up here with Graham, pretending like the world outside this room didn’t exist for a little bit longer.
I leaned forward and kissed him, deep and long. His heart started to race beneath my fingers. When I pulled away, his cheeks were even pinker—bordering on red.
“What was that for?” he asked.
I gave him a sly grin. “Your tip.”
He blinked at me, then chuckled. He brushed his nose against mine.
“You shouldn’t tip before you receive service, little lynx,” he murmured, voice low. “I might feel unmotivated.”
“That was only the first half,” I whispered in his ear.
He shuddered.
“I’m saving the best part for after.” My gaze heated.
The apple of his throat bobbed as he swallowed. “Don’t move,” he commanded. “I’ll be right back.”
He was back suspiciously quickly, but the food was delicious. Eggs and sourdough toast with avocado and butter and fruit. I inhaled everything and then afterward…afterward I showed Graham exactly how thankful I was for the meal.
It was…intoxicating, the sounds I could draw from him, the gasps. The way his hands clenched at his sides, and in my hair. I could make him go completely undone—and it might’ve been the most powerful I’d ever felt in my life.
Graham was stunning. The way he looked at me, full of heated adoration and amazement. Skin slicked with sweat and chest heaving with breaths he couldn’t catch.
I wanted more of him. All of him.
After, when our heartbeats were slowing and we were tangled in each other, clouded in an afterglow of bliss and companionship, he slowly ran the tips of his fingers up and down my back. The soothing motions sent waves of relaxation over my sensitive skin.
“Do you have plans for the day?” he asked softly, still caressing my bare back.
I didn’t want to move. I didn’t even want to think about moving. I wanted to stay like this, in his arms, being comforted like this forever.
“No, not particularly,” I said. “What about you?”
He was quiet for a while, though his fingers never stilled. “I need to talk to Roman to make sure it’s all right if I leave, but I’m considering calling a survivors support group meeting tonight.”
I jerked my head back, looking up into his face. “Survivors group?”
He nodded. “I’ve been volunteering my time to it for a while now. With everything this town has been through, I thought offering a place for people to go, to talk and let out their complex emotions was vital. We aren’t supposed to meet until tomorrow, but with Anderson’s escape, I’m sure it’ll be needed. We can talk about some methods for people to stay, and feel, safe.”
