The tip of Mariah's tongue flicks across her lower lip, wetting it. "I have noticed that." Her eyes lift to mine, lingering for a second before dropping back to my chest. Stepping closer, she brings her hands to my skin. Her touch is light as it skims up my damp flesh, following a path over my stomach and across my pecs. "I'm worried my room might be too dangerous for either of us to stay in."
Thank fucking God. Tucker can talk just about any woman into his bed, but that is not a skill I inherited or acquired. It's the only reason Mariah returned to her own rooms after the night she snuggled against my naked body. If I could have found a way to keep her here, I would have. I'm going to have to find that fucking spider and give him the best goddamn spider home that's ever existed. Feed him all the gnats he can consume.
"What do you propose?" My voice is hoarse. Ragged. Completely giving away the desperation I feel at being so close to one of the things I've been wanting. My bed has never felt as empty as it has since I learned what it's like having Mariah in it, and I fucking hate it.
"Well…" Mariah's hands trail over my shoulders and down my arms. "I could stay in here with you."
Her eyes don't come to mine, and a hint of pink tints her cheeks. I don't know if she's nervous or shy about asking to sleep in my bed, but it won't last. I won't let it.
"You can stay here with me whenever you want." I reach up to trace the shell of her ear. "There doesn't have to be a spider threatening your life." I tip my head toward the closet. "Let me put on some pajamas and I'll meet you there."
Mariah's focus comes to my face. "You're not going to sleep naked like last time?"
Shit. I thought I'd made it out before she noticed that. "In my defense, I didn't know you were in my bed when I laid down. And by the time I figured it out, you'd wrapped yourself aroundme."
"Oh." She pinches her lower lip between her teeth. "Sorry."
"Don't be sorry." My touch moves from her ear to her neck, tracing a path downward. "It was one of the best nights of my life."
It sounds like I'm being dramatic, but I'm not. I did share many great nights with Kara, but at some point I have to let them go. Cherish them for what they were and honor them for what they taught me.
And that’s to appreciate every fucking second I'm lucky enough to have with Mariah.
Mariah gives me a careful smile, her voice soft as she says, "You're the first man I've ever slept with."
My eyes drop to her stomach all on their own, and she snorts. "Not like that."
"I knew what you meant." I trace across her belly, because I can't imagine anyone walking away from what Mariah is offering. "I'm just surprised no one tried to extend their stay with you is all."
That's what I've been doing from the very beginning. Even before I would have admitted it to anyone—myself included—I was finding ways to make Mariah happy so she would stay. Trying to give her a space she would never want to leave. And I struggle to imagine what kind of man wouldn't do the exact same thing.
"I have terrible taste in men, remember?" She gives me a soft smile. "Usually."
I'm going to hope like hell I'm the reason for that qualifier.
"Hopefully you’ve decided to give up that bad habit." I run both hands down her arms. "And will pick someone who can give you everything you deserve and more."
Me. I'm talking about me. Not some nameless, faceless, unidentified guy she could meet in the future. Even if he were to try to find her, I'll make sure it doesn’t happen. He’ll end up playing with the same overgrown kitty cat the guy who knocked her up and left her high and dry does.
"Here’s hoping." She backs away, moving out of the bathroomand toward my bed.Ourbed—for tonight at least. "Now go put on your pajamas." She bounces onto the mattress, bringing her feet under her. "And you’re gonna have to tell me some sort of a bedtime story since you're a weirdo who doesn't have a television in his bedroom."
I'm a weirdo who will have a television in his bedroom tomorrow. I make sure of it as I carry my phone into the closet, placing an order for overnight delivery while I pick out a pair of sweatpants and pull them onto my lower half. When I return to my room, Mariah is looking cozy and perfectly where she belongs, all tucked under my covers with her head on the pillow next to mine.
Because I want her to be as comfortable as possible, I go into my office and grab the tablet from my desk, carrying it in with me and turning off the lights as I go. I climb in next to her, reaching across Mariah's body to set the tablet on its side using the foldable case. Waking it up, I open one of the streaming apps I subscribe to and pick her favorite show. Once that's done, I roll to my side and pull her against me, tucking her back against my front as the newest episode starts.
I don't watch a single minute. Why put any of my focus on something as mundane as that when I can put it on one of the most amazing individuals I've come across?
And Mariah is amazing. Everything about her is perfect. Maybe not for everybody—she’s sure as shit not for that cowboy fuckhead who might someday end up lost in the mountains.
She's only perfect for me. And I'm going to do my damnedest to prove I'm perfect for her.
23
Mariah
Three nights I’ve spent in Titus’s bed. Three nights of snuggling. Three nights of his body curled around mine. Three nights of feeling safe and warm and cherished.
Three mornings of his sleepy smile being the first thing I see. Three mornings of his voice in my ear being the first thing I hear. Three mornings of the hard line of his dick pressed tight against my ass being the first thing I feel.
