“It’s been a long day. I think we both could use some rest. I’m actually meeting up with a friend later and can’t cancel, so I should probably sleep.”
“Oh. Okay.” Her lips purse as she reluctantly nods, her eyes dropping to the floor.
Is she disappointed I have plans, or that we have to stop talking? My fingers twist in my lap, guilt setting in either way.Hopefully, my idea will make it up to her.
“I was actually wondering if…if you’d like to join me? I’d love for you to meet them, and it might be a nice way to get our minds off all this.”
She flashes a tired smile, a flicker of something I’m too scared to believe in her gaze. “I’d like that. You sure I’m not imposing?”
“Promise. I’ll need to run home in the morning to change clothes, but I’ll be back here around ten to pick you up, if that works.”
“Just one question,” she asks, playfully drawing out the words. “What do I wear for this mystery date?”
My eyes widen. “I never said it was a date.”
“What if I want it to be?”
My lips curl, my dick fighting not to follow at the thought of taking her out sometime. “I’ll take you on a real date. And not some stuffy restaurant where they fill the water after you take one sip. It’ll be the most perfect date you’ve ever been on.”
“That’s quite the declaration there, Richy Rich.” She snorts.
I wink as I stand, offering her my hand to pull her up beside me. “Go get some rest. I’ll see you in the morning.”
Kennedy tilts her head. “Jordan, I have a giant king-sized bed. Why don’t you just sleep in there with me?”
“Just need a pillow, and I see a blanket right there. I’m all set,” I say, still holding her hand in mine. “But, how about a goodnight kiss?”
She smiles and steps closer, but doesn’t fully close the distance between us. And for the first time since I’ve met Kennedy Kramer, I feel brave enough to step forward, cupping her cheek and leaning down to kiss the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever met. She loops her arms around my neck, pulling mein closer, deepening not only the kiss, but this connection. She presses flush against me, and I feel her body rubbing against my erection through my pants. We both moan at the thought of where this could go. But my mind gets the better of me again, and I take a step back. Her lips are flushed and swollen. My hands flinch around her waist using every inch of my willpower to not pull her in for more. But when I’m with someone again, I want it to be forever.
I’m just not sure we’re there yet.
“Are you sure you won’t join me in bed?” she says with a wry smile.
“I would, but I don’t think you could resist me. Goodnight, Kennedy.”
40
kennedy
Thank God I don’t have work today because I got zero point zero hours of sleep last night. Lying in bed, I roll over to avoid the beam of sunlight sneaking in through my shades. My exhaustion does nothing to calm the heat still swirling through my body as I remember his mouth on mine, his hands curled around me, the feeling of him pulling me in and holding me like he never wanted to let go.
Trying to sleep last night was like all those nights in the hotels, knowing he was just on the other side of my door.Except he was in my freaking apartment—my home.Which, for some reason, is even hotter. I flail on the bed like a starfish, my emotions all over the place with everything going on. My body is feral for this man.
Gin and sex are my go-to stress relievers, but since my liquor cabinet and the person I want to have sex with were both in the main living area of my apartment, Imayhave silently relieved some of that last night when I couldn’t fall asleep. Ihopeit was silent anyway. Had he walked in on me touching myself, I would have proved him right—I wouldn’t have been able to control myself.
He was right to sleep on the couch.
As I crawl out of bed to get ready to meet his mystery friend, I marvel at the amount of self-control he has. The number of times I thought about walking to the couch and at least snuggling up with him should probably be illegal. Hell, this whole thing should be off limits. He’s twenty-three, for God’s sake! But…every time I convince myself this could never work, something about him draws me back.
Kissing that man is a drug, and I am officially addicted. I swear that man’s thighs, the ones that stretch the seam of his pants when he sits down, are my weakness. What is it about a man with nice thighs that gets me so worked up?I wonder how much he squats?Fuck, now I’m picturing his thighs and that ass of his in a squat position.Snap out of it, Kennedy!
Obviously, admitting I’m attracted to him physically is an understatement. But last night, something shifted. I bite my lip.I finally got to see the real Jordan. He let down his guard—for me. These past few weeks, I’ve seen little pieces of the real him. He’s funny and sweet and thoughtful, and he can unlock my goddamn front door like he’s done it a million times. But last night, he laid his soul bare. Every last drop. I saw the pain in his eyes, the hurt he hides day in and day out. My pulse quickens thinking about the girl who did this to him. I’m not a crazy possessive person, but if I ever find fucking Angelica, Iwilluse my jiu-jitsu training to take her down.
I’m still ninety-nine percent sure he’s intimidated by me—or, at least, he was.He’s been doing all of this because he had a crush on me.And he had the chance last night to have me…but instead he acted like a complete gentleman, asking if he could kiss me goodnight. Then he left it at that—nothing more.
I’m used to random one-night stands, meeting a guy at a hotel bar, and hooking up just for some fun. My stomach clenches, bile clogging my throat as the realization hits me. HereI was being judgmental about him hooking up with all those people, when in reality, he wasn’t.
I was.
