My brows lift slightly. “I’d imagine so, yes. We wouldn’t just be roommates anymore.”
She flashes a grin that feels reassuring. “No—well, yes, I guess that’s true. But I mean long term. Between us.”
I shrug. “I’ve never had any timeline for you deciding to move out or move on. As far as I’m concerned, I want you here as long as you’re happy. Sleeping together won’t change that, no.” I want her here forever. But I’m afraid of scaring her off, so I don’t say that out loud.
There are a few seconds of silence as she takes that in, then, “You said repeatedly.”
I dip my chin. “I did, yes.”
“Tonight? Or … more than just tonight?”
“I meant more than just tonight. But if tonight’s all you’re offering, I’ll take it.”
She gives me a cheeky grin. “Let’s see how tonight goes before I make any long-term decisions.”
Laughing, I stand and hold out my hand to her. She places her hand in mine, letting me pull her to her feet. Her eyes stay open as I lower my mouth to hers, kissing her gently.
All of our kisses before this have either been done for the benefit of others or hungry and full of need. I’m determined to show her that I can be tender and sweet too, so I kiss her slowly, almost chastely, except that I pull her close, letting her feel how hard I’m getting just from these sweet kisses.
She lets out a soft sound at the contact, then she’s pressing herself into me more firmly, her hands searching for purchase on my back, and I can’t keep up the sweet and gentle act any longer.
Skating my hands down her back, I grip her ass, molding the round cheeks with my hands, then move a little lower and lift.
She lets out a squeak, which makes me grin, ruining the kiss. Even though I caught her by surprise, she catches on quick, wrapping her legs around me and moving her arms over my shoulders to make it easier for me to carry her to my bedroom.
“God, you’re strong,” she breathes. “That’s so hot.”
Chuckling, I steal a kiss but make sure I’m paying attention as I navigate through my bedroom door. I don’t want to risk banging her into anything.
I set her gently on the edge of my bed, then hold up one finger. “One sec,” I murmur before disappearing into the bathroom, where I proceed to tear apart the contents of my vanity looking for a box of condoms Iknowhave to be here.
Because even though I do keep some on hand just in case, I don’t actually have a lot of sex. The women who tend to hang around professional sports teams hoping to snag an athlete—people call them puck bunnies in hockey—have never appealed to me all that much. To them, I’ve always felt like a jersey—a number, a trophy—and while that didn’t bother me that muchwhen I was younger, the novelty wore thin after a couple of years.
So yeah, I have condoms. I just don’t know … “There you are, you little fuckers,” I whisper as I find the box tucked at the back of the drawer where I keep my spare toothpaste and Q-tips.
Grabbing the box, I stride back into my bedroom to find Hailey still sitting on the edge of the bed where I left her, leaning back on her hands, watching the bathroom door with an amused expression on her face. “I was starting to wonder if you’d gotten distracted.”
I hold up the box of condoms. “I was getting supplies.”
“Ah. Smart. Married or no, I don’t think either of us wants to add a baby into the mix here.”
Clearing my throat, I shake my head, ostensibly agreeing with her. But honestly? The thought of her having a baby doesn’t strike as much terror into my heart as I feel like it should. Especially since she’s still on the fence about how long she wants to stick around. Or even whether or not we’ll have sex again after tonight.
Which means, I need to make it good for her.
The best she’s ever had.
My stomach tries to tie itself into knots, but I take a deep breath. I’ve got this.
Tossing the box onto the bed, I stalk toward her, covering her lips with mine, making her gasp again in that way I’m beginning to find unbearably erotic.
She sinks into the bed beneath me, lying back, my hand still cradling her head, the other holding me up.
Her hands slide under my shirt, tentatively at first, but then with more confidence as I groan and press into her touch. But she only goes up to my rib cage, her touch so light it tickles, and I realize part of the reason is that my shirt is in the way.
Standing, I reach behind my neck and yank it off in one swift motion, tossing it carelessly on the floor as I meet Hailey’s wide eyes. Then a slow smile spreads across her mouth as her eyes travel over my torso.
I rub one hand across my chest, then down my belly, watching her eyes as they follow its path. “Like what you see?”
