Because, like it or not, our lives just changed.
But because I’ve never been able to say no to Story MacIntosh, I slip inside, slide down next to her, and pull the covers over us.
CHAPTER 25
Story
Iwake thirstier than I’ve ever been and guzzle the bottle of water by the bed. Padding as quietly as I can to the bathroom, I pee, brush my teeth again, and take a long, hard look in the mirror.
Seducing Hendricks last night wasn’t my plan, but when opportunities present themselves, you have to take them. And seducing him was way better than anything I’ve already come up with. But now comes the hard part—seeing it through.
“Stand firm, Story,” I mouth to myself, then wash my hands and open the door.
The bedside light is on, and as predicted, Hendricks is sitting up in bed, staring at . . . something? Anything but me, that’s for sure.
“Hendricks?”
His eyes find mine, bright blue even in the dim light. “I couldn’t leave until you’d woken up.”
“Are you already having regrets?”
“I regret nothing,” he replies.
“Then what are you thinking about?”
He sighs deeply, his head falls back against the headboard, and he looks genuinely anguished. Crossing over the room, I get back into bed and kneel next to him.
“Hendricks?”
“I don’t know how to be around you and not be in love with you. I can’t say no to you, Stor?—”
“And that’s a problem, why?” I laugh, hoping to release some tension with humor.
“Because when you leave again . . .” His head shakes.
I haven’t seen Hendricks enough this week to tell him about the job offer and what I’ve decided. I would have mentioned it yesterday at polo, but he left before I could. Now is as good a time as any.
“I’m not going anywhere.”
He rubs across his brow. “What do you mean?”
“I know you overheard me talking to Mrs. Benson. Miles told me. But you heard wrong. I’m only going back to Sydney to pack up my things. That’s all.”
He sits up, his body turning toward mine, and I’m pinned with an intense stare. “You’re staying in Valentine Nook?”
“I’m staying.”
He inches close enough that I can feel the heat rising from his body. “You’restaying?”
“I’m staying.”
My eyes drop to his lips, full and soft. My tongue darts out, wetting mine. My body vibrates, waiting for his touch because I’m certain it’s coming. Last night / a few hours ago / whenever it was, was all me. My orchestration. I got what I wanted at that moment, but I crave more.
We’ve always been a game of chess, and it’s his move now.
I don’t have to wait long.
I’ve barely got out my confirmation for the second time when his hands surround my face. Then his lips are on mine, crushing me, and twenty years of missed opportunities, of being too scared, of wondering what this moment would be like, are brought to a head.
