He ran his hand up and down my back and chuckled. His breath tickled my skin, and he kissed my shoulder. “Hey.”
I opened one eye and rolled to my side, not bothering to cover up with sheets. “Damn.”
“My thoughts too.”
“My body is still tingling, and I don’t think I can move.” I sighed, perfectly content, and stared at my bedmate. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but I don’t want you to leave.”
His answering smile made my chest feel funny, and he snorted. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but I wasn’t going to leave.”
“Glad that’s settled then.” I tried not to turn into a complete puddle of feelings when he pulled me toward him so my head rested on his arm. I wasn’t a cuddler. I got too hot and itched too much to enjoy it, but with Christopher, I wanted to wrap his hard body around mine. Even in the hotel, we passed out away from each other, but this time felt different. There was so much to admire about him, physically and emotionally. I trailed my fingers over his chest and over the scar I remembered—tickling his side just enough to make him jump. “Yup, still ticklish.”
“Gilly, don’t even.” He grabbed my hand and brought it to his chest again. “I’m trying to enjoy my post-sex vibe, so knock it off.”
“You’re bossy. I don’t recall you being that way before,” I teased, the weird feeling in my chest getting stronger.
He rolled his eyes and pulled me onto him so I lay on his chest, but this time, there wasn’t a frenzy. He played with the ends of my hair and met my gaze. “I’m really falling for you. You’re amazing in so many ways. I just…you inspire me at work. You care so much about your students and your friends.” He swallowed and ran a hand over the back of his neck. “I’m in awe of your constant positivity, and it’s selfish, but I want to be around you all the time. I know that’s intense, but I want you to know where I’m at.”
“Wow.” I blushed tomato red at those words. That was the best compliment I had ever received. My face got hot, and my body hummed like I’d been electrocuted. I glanced down, staring at his chin instead of his expression eyes, and nodded. I should tell him about the money, the past, the false narrative he had of me, but I was selfish. This was amazing and had nothing to do with money, and I wanted more. He wasn’t the only one who was falling into a dangerous, can’t-come-back-from-this type of feeling, but I held my cards closer to my chest. Saying that out loud was too much, too fast. Instead, I exhaled and said, “I’m falling too.”
“Thought I’d have to work harder to hear that from you.”
“Don’t ruin the moment by talking,” I said, earning a smile from him. “It feels trivial to say that, but I don’t think I’ve said that to someone in a long time. It’s weird.”
“I know what you mean. This is new for me too. We just gotta take it slow,” he said, his voice deep and sweet. “Well, maybe not. I need to see you naked every other day, or I might not make it.”
I laughed and rolled off him, stretching and trying not to blush as his gaze raked my body. “Want something to drink?”
“Yes.”
He got off the bed with me and slipped on his boxers while I slid into an old T-shirt withParks and Recquote. I slipped into a new pair of panties and turned to find him staring at me.
“You good?”
“It’s weird.” He scratched his chest with his right hand as he tilted his head to the side. “I cannot get enough of you. Seeing you in just a shirt and those tiny red panties is driving me crazy.”
“Christopher Callahan is a sex fiend. Noted.” I winked before walking out of my room but yelped when he caught up to me and smacked my ass. “Hey now.”
“Couldn’t help myself.” He grinned and cupped the back of my head to give me a deep, slow kiss. “Mm. Yeah. I need more.”
He slid his hands up my hips and pulled me close, kissing me until I lost my breath before he let go. “Mm.”
That’s all he said before sitting on one of the barstools. His kiss flustered me. It was ajust becausekiss, and I had very little experience with those. With wobbly knees I considered what-ifs, and the possibility he would end this once he knew the truth unless I proved to him money wasn’t everything.
“Okay, uh, drinks. Water, tea, wine, beer.” I had my back to him, needing the extra space at the sudden intensity of the moment, and I inhaled slowly.Chill out, Gil.“I’m going for some white wine, you?” I said, turning to look at him. His brows were furrowed again, and he stared at me, hard and unflinching.
“Your posture got all straight, typically a sign something’s wrong.” He ran his hand over his jaw.
Did he know me that well?
“Nothing is wrong. I swear.” I wiped up dust that wasn’t there on the counter to keep my hands busy. “You said we’ll take it slow, but some of these experiences are new for me. Post-sex drinks, kissing that doesn’t lead to the bedroom, that sorta thing makes me overthink stuff.”
His shoulders relaxed, and his smile held so much warmth and tenderness. “I appreciate your honesty.”
“We gotta be honest for this to work,” I said, shrugging before turning around to pour myself a glass.I’m a goddamn hypocrite.I got him a beer after he finally responded, and I chose to stay on my side of the counter.
He winked as we took a sip, and when we set them down, the uncertainty grew again. He must’ve sensed my turmoil because he walked to my side and tilted my chin up for another kiss. It was a kiss a girl could get lost in, and my eyes fluttered shut at the gentleness of it. “I have the best idea.”
“What’s that?” I mumbled, feeling drunk on himagain.
