But we both ignore it, and 20 minutes later we find ourselves back in bed with our bodies entwined and a consuming need to have him inside me as he peppers kisses all over every inch of my body within reach of his lips, while he lazily pumps inside of me, because all we want is slow while our sight remains attached to one another. Every time we wake up during the night, we repeat what we can’t seem to stop doing; getting lost in one another with the flare of fire that we share, not simmering down in the slightest.
* * *
I domy best to shake Stone off as he attempts to keep me in the shower. It’s tempting, but I’m a little worn out, plus I have a flight later this afternoon.
“Can’t I just hold you a little longer while you spread soapsuds across my back and my cock rests against your middle, ready to slide into you?”
I throw him an amusing glare. “How have I not trained to keep up with for your sports stamina that translates to your sex drive?”
“You’ll catch up one day.”
My head falls from his humor, and I walk out to dress. When I’m working on my earring, Stone emerges then quickly throws on his clothes from yesterday. He ditches the tie and suit coat and keeps a few buttons open at the top of his white shirt.
Sexy as hell. I could repeat that statement a thousand times.
As he’s rolling up the sleeves of his shirt, he sighs. “So… for us to work long-term, then the obvious thing is that...”
I huff out a breath and drop hopelessly onto a chair by the tall light. “One of us will eventually have to move. That’s how I see it. Long-distance relationships might work for some, but most of the time, they eventually find a destination together.”
Stone wipes a thumb across his chin. “Exactly.”
“It’s a big step.”
“But kind of necessary. We are well past being a fling. Maybe we are two people in a serious relationship who eventually need more together.”
My eyes widen. “Wow, we’re not just in the ‘find a place to live near one another’ stage. It’s the whole possible ‘moving in together stage’ too.”
He isn’t impressed with my statement. “Really? You seem surprised.”
My entire body slackens, and I rub my hands down my face as I take a beat. “No… I’m not. We didn’t just meet yesterday and falling in love often involves getting to know one another beyond a schedule of flights,” I admit. I stand, giving up on sitting; it doesn’t feel right when we’re in a faceoff, yet equally agreeable that this is the conversation that we need.
Love. That’s what this feeling is. I mentioned it, but he just brushed past it.
Nerves seem to hit him. “Harlow, you know what I’m about to say.”
Licking my lips, I remind myself that this is about honesty. “You won’t leave Lake Spark.”
His shoulders slant up then drop. “My family is there, helping on the ice is there. It’s a great little town.”
I swallow. “And I’m not sure about leaving Florida.”
The last step he takes has Stone tangling his fingers in the ends of my hair. He focuses on his fingers, only to meet my gaze a second later. “The thing is… I believe that you would love it in Lake Spark. Instantly, you have me who is kind of the greatest gift to humanity.” Still, he tries to make me smile before he turns serious again. “But there are people there who would welcome you instantly. A support network readily available. A place that goes holiday crazy with great summers and cold winters that many would say are romantic as hell. Who doesn’t love the smell of wood burning?”
I can’t suppress the wry smile on my lips. “I’ve only ever known where I live now. I have friends. It’s a big step. Maybe even a sacrifice. I’m not sure. It’s just…”
“Damn,” it draws out of his mouth. “If you say you’re scared then I might be out of strength to argue yet again right now. That’s a word that should be buried with no chance of resurrection.”
My head falls back as I take a deep breath. “I can’t decide right now. You wouldn’t want me to either if I wasn’t sure.”
Stone’s face falters into disappointment. “I agree. It’s just that closing the distance means someone has to take the leap. I’m deciding that it can’t be me. This is the one thing that I can’t even debate on. I’m standing firm. My entire life, I’ve lacked a father, but Vaughn and I have been united by that fact. I have a niece, and one day, if I ever have a family of my own, then Lake Spark is the place I would want to raise them.”
“See?” I protest. “We haven’t even discussed kids. Maybe I never want that.”
“Really?” he challenges dryly.
My head goes on a slight roller coaster from side to side. “Okay, I do want that one day.”
“I’m sorry, Harlow, but…”
