“Is that right?”
“It is. But after much deliberation, I’ve decided there’s really only one thing I want tonight.”
“And what’s that?” Her lips hover over mine. “Your wish is my command.”
I hesitate, unsure how this will go over. What I’m about to ask of her is different from anything we’ve done before. It’s a risk.
But I’m all about taking risks and breaking the rules today. Why stop now?
“You,” I tell her. “In my bed. All night long.”
She stiffens, pulling back, her eyes searching mine with confusion.
“I want to fall asleep with you beside me,” I continue, keeping my gaze trained on her. “And wake up with you in my arms.”
She parts her lips, but no response comes. I can physically feel her reluctance. Her hesitation.
I get it.
This crosses a line we agreed we wouldn’t cross.
I’m not just asking her for sex tonight.
I’m asking for more of her.
Allof her.
“Please, Rowan.” I step toward her, erasing the space between us. “Give me one full night with you. It’s the only thing I want. Just you. Please. Say yes.”
Her breath leaves her on a shaky exhale as she closes her eyes.
For a second, I think she’s going to insist she can’t. Remind me of our arrangement.
That we may have sex, but we don’t sleep together.
That we shouldn’t blur the lines any more than we already have.
Then her eyes soften as her lips curve up into a smile.
“Yes.”
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
ROWAN
I shouldn’t have saidyes. I should have reminded Hayden of our agreement. Of the rules. Of the boundaries I’ve insisted we keep in place.
But when his voice lost that teasing edge and turned quiet and vulnerable, I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t deny him.
Or maybe I couldn’t deny myself.
His mouth finds mine again as he guides me down the hallway, slow and unhurried, like he has all the time in the world. The house is quiet except for the faint hum of the heat blowing through the vents and the soft brush of our feet against the hardwood floor.
We cross the threshold into his bedroom, and he kicks the door closed behind us, the sound echoing around us.
He pulls back slightly, his eyes tracing over my face, slow and deliberate.
It unnerves me.
