“Okay, he can come in!” I shouted back, eyeing my red dress or dark green one. The evergreen was one of my favorite colors, and I had gold jewelry to wear with it. Yeah, I’d wear this. I slipped it on just as the floor creaked outside my room.
“Thanks for the permission, but I’m already in.”
“Connor.” I spun, smiling as he leaned against the doorframe to my bedroom. He wore jeans and a dark navy sweater that clung to his chest. My stomach flip-flopped due to how attractive he was.
“Hi.”
“That dress looks incredible on you.” His gaze heated as he eyed me head to toe slowly returning his eyes to my face. “Damn, Laney.”
“Stop,” I teased, but I felt my face flush regardless.
“No.” He pushed off the frame and met me in front of my dresser, standing behind me so we both stared at the mirror. His eyes burned me in the reflection, so much love and affection there.
“I’m not going to stop telling you how beautiful and amazing you are.”
He kissed my collarbone and ran one hand up and down my hip, moving up my arm and tilting my neck back slightly.
“I’m obsessed with your body. Every part of you. I always have been.”
I shuddered as he tugged my earlobe between his teeth, and heat pooled between my thighs.
“Connor,” I moaned, leaning into his chest until he supported my weight. “What are you—”
“Shh.” He kissed my neck, and then turned me around to kiss me on my mouth. He kissed me slowly, taking his time tasting me to the point I was burning up. I moaned against his mouth, causing him to laugh.
“I swear I didn’t come here to get you riled up.”
“Ugh.” I rested my forehead on his chest, my own breath coming out in pants. “Well, I’m riled up, damn it.”
He laughed, the deep chuckle as welcome as my favorite playlist. I wrapped my arms around him and squeezed.
He sighed. “Fuck, I’ve missed your Laney burrito hugs.”
“It’s been a while, hasn’t it?” I smiled against him. “Come be my burrito, baby.” I grabbed my blanket and wrapped us up real tight. I used to do this all the time when we started dating. Connor thought it was goofy, but it became an inside joke that died a few years ago.
He remained a statue, minus his hand moving up and downmy spine in taps of three. “I came here to tell you in person that I have to head to the office today.”
Just like that, all the joy zapped out.
We were in our snow globe here. The city was not included.
“Baby, I can feel you tensing. I promise I’ll come back.”
I tried breaking the hug, but he held me tighter. “No, I’m not done with you.”
“Connor, you should leave. It’s a long drive.”
“Sure, but that can wait.” He tilted my chin up, his gaze boring into mine. “I don’t like how you’re stressing. Tell me what you’re thinking.”
I hesitated, the urge to remain quiet choking me. It would be silly or weak to tell him I was worried he wouldn’t come back. Or four days would go by before he remembered me at home.
“I’m not leaving here until we talk this out. This matters. We matter. Now, we promised honesty. Please tell me why you tensed up.”
He spoke so softly. How could I deny him?
“This feels familiar. Us being good, then you going to work and… then we go back to what we were before where you forget about me.”
He nodded, concern etched on his face.
