“I didn’t mean it like that.” She shifts beneath the sheet so she’s facing me. “I bumped into her randomly. She wanted to apologize. That’s all. Nothing happened. I swear.”
I want to believe her, I do. But my past is creeping up and tightening around my lungs like a thorny vine. “Did she hit on you?”
“No? I don’t think so. She told me I looked pretty, I guess, but?—”
“Fuck.” I grip my hair with both hands and tug. “I can’t believe this.”
“Ezra, what the hell? I’m telling you nothing happened. Iwouldn’t lie to you. I know you’ve been burned badly in the past, but I’m not like those women.”
“I want to believe you, I do. It’s just…” I drop my head and focus on my breathing.
“I think I should go,” she whispers, shuffling toward the side of the bed.
“No.” I clamp down on her arm. “Why would you go?”
“Because. We’re fighting and?—”
“So what? That’s what couples do. But don’t you dare walk out on me. I can’t—I can’t have another woman walk out on me,” I croak, vulnerability lodged in my throat like a rock.
Our eyes lock and hold in a standoff.
Please.
“You’re right. I’m sorry. But it’s awkward now. Am I just supposed to lay next to you while we’re in the middle of an argument?”
“Yes.” I stroke a thumb over the back of her hand. “Listen. It’s been a long day. The stuff with Kane was a lot. We’re both emotional, so why don’t we table this discussion until we’ve had a good night’s sleep and some strong coffee and tea in the morning? I’d rather go to bed awkward and upset than say stupid shit we might regret.”
With an audible exhale, she nods.
“And let’s face it, it’ll be more awkward if you leave. Please stay. I’ll even build you a pillow fort if that makes you feel better.”
“It’s a pillow wall.” She giggles. “I didn’t think couples were supposed to go to bed angry.”
“Oh, are you confirming we’re a couple, then?”
She rolls her eyes, but rather than answer that question, she says, “Fine. I’ll stay.” After she’s stripped out of her leggings and thong, she dips back beneath the sheets.
It’s silent between us, just the sounds of thecity seeping in through the windows, and it doesn’t take long before her skin brushes against mine and her arm is draped over my chest.
“Earlier, you saidbefore we get in too deep.” I rub the soft skin of her bum. “It’s too late, Mills. I’m already in too deep.”
“That’s what she said.” She cackles.
“Oh my god.” I pinch her side.I love younearly slips out, but I lock that shit up tight. “Let’s fight in the morning, and you can tell me all about your doctor’s appointment, yeah?”
“Sounds good. Good night, Ezra.”
In the morning, I wake to Millie snuggled in close and a slick layer of sweat between my hip and where her thigh wraps around it. Her breath is warm against my neck, and she’s rubbing her finger against my beard in soothing motions.
“What are you doing?” I ask, my voice rough with sleep.
“It’s like ASMR. It’s satisfying.”
I squeeze her thigh. “If you’re trying to be cute to get out of our talk, it won’t work.”
“How about a blow job?” she asks, her tone full of mirth. “All right, fine.” Sitting up, she swings her legs over the bed, giving me the perfect view of her naked back. I want nothing more than to drag her over me and impale her with my cock, but we need to work through some things first.
“Where are you going?” I ask.
