Sasha glances between us, then suddenly becomes very interested in her breakfast. “I’ll just... take this upstairs and go pack.”
As soon as she’s gone, I set my mug down and move to stand over Noia. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing,” she sighs, flipping another piece of French toast onto a plate. “I just need some space.”
“Space,” I repeat flatly. “This is about what happened last night.”
“No. Well, yes.” She tries to run a hand through her hair, but only manages to dislodge a few strands from her bun. “This whole slow-burn thing is driving me crazy, Ryder. I think some distance might help me… us… reset.”
I step even closer, backing her against the counter. “Or maybe you’re afraid you’re going to lose our little bet.”
Her eyes flash. “I’m not afraid of anything.”
“Prove it,” I challenge, dropping my voice into a low rumble. “Stay.”
Her breath catches, and for a second, I think she’s going to give in. Then she shakes her head. “I already told Sasha I’d go.”
“Fine.” I take a step back. “When will you be back?”
“A couple of days. Wednesday at the latest.”
Three days without her. The thought makes my chest pull tight.
“I have something planned for us on Wednesday,” I say, trying to keep the disappointment from my voice.
Her eyes soften. “I’ll make sure to be back by then.”
I take another long sip of my coffee, studying her over the rim. “So, this is your strategy now? Running away to avoid temptation?”
“I’m not running,” she protests, the flush creeping up her neck proving otherwise. “I just need a break from...” She waves a hand in the air between us. “This.”
“From me, you mean.”
Her shoulders slump slightly. “From the sexual frustration. From wanting you so bad that I can’t think straight. From waking up in the middle of the night aching for you.”
The raw honesty in her voice makes my cock throb.
Unable to resist, I set my mug down on the counter and crowd into her again.
“You think distance is going to help with that?” I trace a finger along the mark on her neck, feeling her pulse jump beneath my touch. “You think you won’t still see this and think about what you did?”
She swallows hard, eyes darkening. “At least it will remind me not to sneak into your room again.”
“That was a dirty move, by the way,” I whisper, leaning in and brushing my lips across her ear. “Waking me up like that.”
“You weren’t complaining at the time,” she whispers back.
“Trust me, kitten,” I chuckle. “I’m not complaining at all.”
The air is charged with tension, and her breath hitches as I step back, eyes locked with hers.
“If that’s what you need, then go.” Shoving my hands in my pockets, I clench my fists. “I’ll be here when you get back. And Noia? Our next date? It’s going to push you over the edge.”
“We’ll see,” she counters, her voice lacking conviction.
“All packed!” Sasha says as she stomps down the stairs.
“Great,” Noia says, voice bright. “Let me just grab a few things and we can head out.”
