Where I can shove whatever the hell I’m starting to feel for Silas Montgomery back into the box where it belongs.
Because I can’t do this.I can’t risk Hunter.I can’t risk being completely alone.
I grab my phone from the nightstand, already planning my escape route.I’ll say I have an early meeting.A work emergency.Something.Anything to get out of here before Silas comes back and we have to have the awkward morning-after conversation where we both pretend this meant nothing.
Even if, terrifyingly, it’s starting to feel like it meant everything.
Silas
The knockon my office door is forceful enough that I hear it over my headphones.My gaze snatches on the time—shit, it’s nearly nine o’clock.I’ve been ignoring everything—the tempting figure of Bailey in my bed, the sunlight filtering in, my own grumbling stomach—and focusing on my laptop.Echo is curled up on her cat tree in the corner and happily snoozing away while I work.
I scramble from my desk, shoving my chair back and stubbing my toe on the weight rack I keep in my office—these biceps don’t make themselves, ya know—and fling the door open.“Bailey, shit.I didn’t realize it was so late?—”
She’s already dressed, arms crossed over her chest—classic defensive Bailey.By the front door, I see her packed bag, sitting there like an accusation.
Fuck.I messed this up by not being in bed when she woke up.I should have been there to remind her first thing in the morning how great this feels instead of letting her get too into her own head about it.
She won’t quite meet my eyes, her jaw set in that stubborn line I know too well.The same woman who laughed in my arms last night is gone, replaced by the Bailey who keeps everyone at arm’s length.
“I should head out.”Her voice is carefully neutral, like we’re acquaintances instead of—instead of whatever we are now.
My chest tightens.What was I thinking getting out of bed this morning?I should have stayed.Should have woken her up with kisses and worshipped every inch of her until she was too boneless and satisfied to even think about those walls.
If only I could rewind this morning.
But actually...
“Hang on.Let’s start over.”
Bailey’s mouth opens as I close the door to my office.
When nothing happens, I press my forehead against the wood.“You’re supposed to knock again.”
Silence.Long enough that I start to worry she’s actually left.
“Montgomery,” she says finally, her voice muffled through the door.“That’s ridiculous.”
“Please?”I hate how pathetic I sound, but I don’t care.“Just humor me.I promise it’ll be worth it.”
“You’re impossible.”The exasperated fondness makes my knees weak.
“Impossibly charming?”I try.
A snort.“Don’t push it.”
I wait, holding my breath.“Bailey.Please.”
An irritated puff of air.Then, finally, a knock.
Victory.
I swing the door open, but this time I’m alert and ready.I lean against the frame, one elbow above my head.I’m just wearing my boxers, so I flex too.I give Bailey a slow, cocky smile.“Good morning, temptress.”
“What are you?—”
I break her off with a kiss, wrapping my arms around her waist.She’s stiff at first, but when I graze her mouth with my tongue, asking for entry, she sighs and softens, opening up for me.
The kiss rolls on, each of us being greedy with each other.Bailey’s arms come up to wrap around my neck, the press of our bodies against each other making my cock perk up despite the fact that I’ve had barely any sleep.
