Just us.
I swallowed hard. I thought this trip would be all work, but I never thought about the downtime between meetings.
“Okay, well. I guess I’ll just unpack then,” I said awkwardly. I went to get my bag from beside the couch, but he waved me off.
“I’ve got it,” he said, picking up my duffel bag with ease. He followed me into the bedroom and placed my bag in the large walk-in closet just outside of the bathroom. It was bigger than the closet in my Airbnb.
“Thank you,” I said.
He gave me a nod before gesturing to the bed.
“You can have whatever side you want.”
“Okay,” I said, my voice catching in my throat as I eyed the plush bed we would both be sleeping in tonight. I could have sworn I heard Jeremiah laugh as he walked past me and into the bathroom.
“I’m going to take a shower, and then the bathroom is all yours to get ready.”
All I could do was nod as he closed the door behind him with a gentle click. I heard the shower turn on, and forced myself to not think about what was going on just on the other side of the door. I walked into the closet and began unpacking my bag. It was a wonder how much I had packed in this duffel. I hung my dresses and suits, taking an iron to the ones that had wrinkled. Afterward, I laid my shoes out in a row on the wooden rack.
I stood back and admired my new wardrobe that looked even fancier in this dream closet. Behind me, I heard the bathroom door open. I turned at the sound and saw Jeremiah emerge with just a plush white towel wrapped around his waist. His toned chest was damp and it was an effort not to let my eyes fall to the deep V above the towel.
“All yours,” he said with a grin.
He walked past me, leaving my thoughts scrambled mush. I hurried and shut the door to the bedroom, pressing my back against it.
“Get it together,” I whispered.
I pushed myself from the door and headed to the bathroom that was still thick with steam. I opened the large glass shower door and reached in to turn on the water that was still warm from use. I stripped out of my travel clothes and stepped inside the large walk-in shower. It felt intimate being in the same space Jeremiah had just been completely naked in.
I took my time, using the luxurious-smelling soap the hotel provided. I lathered my hair with the shampoo with the same scent and let my hair sit with the thick conditioner. I shaved my legs until they were smooth before rinsing off. I stepped out of the shower and wrapped myself in a towel. I opened the door to the bedroom and peeked inside. It was empty. I breathed a sigh of relief and walked into the closet. Only my clothes hung inside still. Jeremiah had his bag with him in the living room.
Thoughtfully, I ran my fingers over the clothes hanging in the closet, debating what to wear. It wasn’t a meeting, so I didn’t need to wear one of my new suit sets. It also wasn’t a date, though. I reminded myself of that as I slid the black sheath dress from the hanger. It was just modest enough to work for something like tonight. I rummaged through one of the drawers and pulled out a black lace bra and matching thong. I slipped both on before sliding the dress over my head.
I had taken so long in the shower, that I didn’t have much time for much else. I combed my damp hair into a loose topknot on my head, pulling out a few face-framing strands of hair. I put on a few coats of mascara and a swipe of clear pink lip gloss. I spritzed perfume on my wrists and neck, the same vanilla perfume I’d worn since high school. I studied myself in the mirror and gave a shrug. This was as good as it was going to get.
I grabbed my small clutch and slid on my new pair of strappy black heels, before pausing at the door of the bedroom. I took a deep breath before opening it and stepping into the living room. Jeremiah sat on the couch, but stood up quickly when he saw me. He was in a black suit, its clean lines cut to his body, and a white button-down. His hair was pushed to the side in an effortless swoop. And his eyes. His striking blue eyes were on every inch of me.
My heart thundered in my chest as I took another step toward him, stopping a few feet away for fear of getting too close. He didn’t say anything, but his eyes still moved over me. Slowly. Hungrily. I reached for a strand of hair and twirled it around my finger nervously.
“You look nice,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
His throat bobbed before he spoke, his voice husky.
“You look beautiful.”
“Courtesy of you,” I said with a small smile. “Do you like it?”
I did a turn, showing off the dress my friends had adamantly insisted on me buying. I reminded myself to thank them.
As I turned to face him, his eyes were practically ravenous and I had to clamp my thighs together at the feeling that shuddered between them.
“I’d like it better on the floor.”
My mouth dropped open, as I melted into a pool of utter want.
Need.
“But I’m a patient man,” he said with a slight shrug of his shoulders as he straightened the lapels of his suit. He walked toward the door and pulled it open.
