Page 63 of Open for Negotiation
“This has been renovated recently. I haven’t had a chance to use the new shower yet.”
“Maybe we can christen it together,” I say, bumping him with my hip.
“Don’t tempt a man like that right now, baby, there’s one more room to see and we need sustenance.” He leans in closer and whispers, “You’ll need the energy.”
Chills overtake my entire body and a tickle runs up my left side, making me curl into myself with a giggle.
“I like the sound of that.”
The bedroom is just as incredible as the rest of the apartment.
It’s wide and very spacious, beautifully decorated and has this warmth about it that makes me want to curl on the bed and sleep.
There are three, large windows allowing in natural light and a decorative fireplace on the far-right wall with candles on the inside that can be lit for ambiance. The dresser and nightstands match, all made from the same dark grain wood and a huge mirror rests on the top of the dresser, directly in front of the bed. I leave my bag underneath the window to my left and approach the bed, sliding my hand along the soft, black comforter and decorative white pillows.
I spin around to sit on the edge of the bed and take it all in. Not just my physical surroundings but the mounting emotions boiling up in my chest. I’m starting to feel for Max in a way I really wasn’t expecting or prepared for.
“What are you thinking right now?”
I flit my gaze toward the door and find him leaning against the frame with his arms crossed over his chest, looking as delectable as ever.
“I’m thinking about how overwhelmed and happy that I am.” I reach my hand out for him. “And how I never thought in a million years this is what I’d be doing on this weekend.”
He saunters over and takes my hand. “What did you think you’d be doing?”
“Sitting on my living room floor, eating leftover Chinese food, and watching trashy reality TV.”
“That doesn’t sound half bad.” He stands in front of me, causing me to tip my head back in order to see him. “We should do that one day.”
“Already making other weekend long plans with me? Careful. You may become addicted to my wonderful personality,” I tease, reclining back on my elbows, tempting him to join me.
“I’m already addicted to much more than that.”
God. Swoon. This man is always making me swoon.
He presses his knee into the mattress between my thighs and crawls onto the bed and over me, bracing himself on his palms on either side of my head.
“That makes two of us.” I slip my hands under his T-shirt, letting my fingers trace the indentions of his abs and up to his pectorals.
Using one hand, he pushes the hair that has fallen into my face out of the way and lowers himself to kiss my lips.
It doesn’t grow, it doesn’t intensify, it is a simple, perfect kiss that conveys everything we need to say to one another right now.
“We have all the time in the world while we are here. Show me this city through your eyes,” I tell him.
“I hope you’re ready for that. It could end up messy.” He presses a kiss to each corner of my mouth.
“Bring it on, Mr. Duke.”
Max
“When you said it could get messy, I didn’t think you meant it literally!” Scarlett says, wiggling her barbecue sauce covered fingers at me.
I wipe my mouth with a napkin then open one of the moist towelette packs, handing it to her, “I told you. Messy is the best.”
“That was the most delicious food I’ve ever had.” She leans back and pats her belly. “I think I gained ten pounds all at once.”
“Feel like walking it off? I thought we could park the car and go down by the river?” I pull out my wallet and drop some bills on the table.
