“What is the second best thing?” The question escapes my mouth before I even realize it.
“Waking up with you in my arms. I want to do that every day for the rest of my life.”
I can feel the heat on my face at his confession. It’s the same thing I want, but there’s something still in our way.
My brother.
How is he going to react? Will he hate Jeremiah for what’s happened? I don’t want their friendship to be ruined because of me. I can’t help but worry my lip as I let my thoughts consume me.
“Ryan—”
I don’t even get to finish my thought before Jeremiah’s placing his finger on my lips, gently shushing me.
“It’s going to be fine. I’m going to talk to him and explain everything, just like I told you last night. When we get home, I’ll tell him how I feel about you. Although, telling him I was lusting after his fifteen-year-old sister when I met her might not be the best thing.”
“I was almost sixteen,” I correct with a laugh.
“Somehow I don’t think the technicality of a few months is going to matter to him.”
“What if he hates you, or doesn’t want us to be together?” I close my eyes, fighting back the tears that want to spill. I’ve just gotten the man of my dreams. The one I’ve always loved, and the thought of losing him just as quickly is more than unnerving.
“Positive thoughts, baby. He may be mad at first, but once he thinks about it, he’ll know this is good. Ryan knows the man I am and that I’ll treat you like the queen that you are.” He gives me a smile before rolling onto his back, pulling me with him. My headrests on his chest, and I lift my leg over his waist, grazing his very hard shaft.
His breath hitches in sync with mine as he traces the tips of his fingers along my spine, right down to the crest of my ass. We lie like that, neither of us saying a word, just enjoying the few stolen moments we have left together this morning.
I’ve got to be leaving soon. I just hate that I have to. But Ryan needs to be told about us before we make it public.
“I need to go,” I whisper with a sigh.
“We can forget about what we talked about last night. I can get on the elevator and up to Ryan’s room now, pound on his door, and confess my love for you, then we wouldn’t have to be apart.”
I sit up, pulling the sheet up to cover my naked body, trying to be more modest now that I’m fully sober. “I love that you’d do that for me, but we only have today left, and I don’t want to ruin it or have fighting, especially with the kids here.”
“Fine, I’ll wait. For now. Can you stay a little longer?”
He sits up, angling his body toward mine. My eyes drop to his stomach and the trail of hair that leads to his hard cock. One that he’s not making any move to cover. My tongue slides across my lip at the memory of last night.
“Not this morning, baby. I know you’re still sore. Plus, the next time I make love to you, it’s going to last a while. Nice and slow. I want to enjoy every inch of your body.” He takes hold of the back of my head, his fingers weaving through my hair as he presses his mouth firmly against mine. My lips part, allowing his tongue entrance as he deepens the kiss.
Knowing that I’m going to have to break this moment, dress, and go back to my room has a dull ache forming in my chest. Just a few more days, and Ryan will know, then I can do whatever I want with Jeremiah without fear of being caught.
“I’ve got to go,” I mumble through the kiss.
He pulls away, and my fingers go to my lips, rubbing softly across them, trying to ease the ache of their loss.
“Let me get dressed, and I’ll walk you.” He shifts on the bed, letting his legs fall over the edge of the bed as he bends over to pick up his discarded clothing from last night.
“No, stay in bed. We need to be careful.” I hold up my hand, reminding him.
“Baby, it’s like…” He taps the screen of his phone, laying on the nightstand. “Six-thirty in the morning. Ryan’s not going to be stalking the halls to catch us.” He laughs as he shakes his head.
I feel the heat rise in my cheeks and take a deep breath.Is he making fun of me?
I immediately push the thought away. He's just making note of the time, and he’s right, Ryan’s still in bed with his wife. I’m just being paranoid, but there’s always a first time.
“Let’s not tempt fate, besides I’m just going next door. I’ll be fine, go back to bed.” He stands, walking toward me as I squat down to pick up my clothes. While Jeremiah may be comfortable being naked, I’m still a little shy. Especially now in the light of day when he can see the rolls and cellulite.
“I don’t want to let you go, but I will for now. I love you, Amberlee. I don’t think I can say that enough. It’s going to be torture being around you until we spill the beans.”
