The back of my eyes burn. I’m not sure what to do with this kind of information. This kind of care.
I turn away from the keepsakes and wander toward a rack of shirts. I need an answer to all my questions. But I’m afraid to ask. Because whatever is happening between us is starting to feel much too real and I don’t know how to do real.
I blink rapidly, looking around but not really seeing anything. I’m overwhelmed by all the colors and options.
How do I pay him back for this?
I’ll get him a change of clothes too. I’m sure he’d appreciate that.
A shirt catches my eye on the far wall. It’s the typical Vegas motif, but at the top, it says “Just Married, in Fabulous Las Vegas Nevada.”
My breathing regulates, and a smile finds me once more. I do owe him. After all, it’s theleastI can do.
Chapter 18
Karli
Theroomisdarkwhen I crack open the door. Trent must still be asleep. I kick off my shoes and drop the pizza on the mini-fridge. My stomach grumbles, but I’m not about to pass up the opportunity for a hot shower.
I carry the bag with the shirts toward the bathroom and open the door.
Steam hits my face.
In the back of my mind, I know what’s wrong with this scenario. But the actionable part of my brain fails to react the way it should. Because Trent is standing there, like a freaking god amidst the swirling white clouds of steam, dressed in only a towel. Water droplets he neglected to dry off run down his chest and drip into the crevice between his abs. Because as many as he has, there’s definitely a crevice.
He’s moving toward me, and that’s when I realize this must be a dream, because surely real Trent would have had some things to say by now. There’s also no other reason for why he would be practically floating toward me.
Since this is only a dream, it would be a crime not to indulge. I raise my hands to his chest. It’s warm and damp from the shower. I spread out my fingers against his skin, relishing the feel of the taut muscles beneath. So this is what’s behind all that protectiveness.
“Karli?” That sounded so real.
My right hand roves down his chest until my fingers brush his six-pack.
Dream Trent lets out a shaky breath.
“Karli,” he says again, his voice deeper than normal. It’s so dang sexy.
I flatten my palm against his stomach then push my hand back up his chest.
His chest rumbles and he grabs my wrist and spins me around, pinning me against the wall. The jolt to the wall is what I needed to snap out of my dream-like state.
This is… this is real. I’m the one who entered the bathroom and got all weird.
Why hasn’t he pushed me away?
“Trent?” I whisper. Now that I know this isn’t a dream, I’m not so confident with my actions.
I’m acting like my mother. Taking what I want without a care about who I hurt.
I won’t do that to Trent. I won’t play with his heart until it’s no longer fun then toss it away. I don’t trust myself.
His head dips down, his hungry gaze searching mine. My heart beats wildly in my chest, telling me to go for it like I do everything else. But this is different. Trent is different.
“I haven’t brushed my teeth since I threw up,” I blurt.Nice, Karli. Way to ruin the moment.
He pulls back, but only a few inches. “I don’t care.”
“Well, I do. Hygiene is important and so is you know, um modesty. So let’s get you dressed.”
