Under different circumstances, I should be inherently happy, but I find myself so frequently ignoring a glaring red warning sign illuminating in my mind, reminding me of everything that could go wrong. It sitslike a weight in the pit of my stomach and crushes the spirit of the butterflies.
The clock illuminates the digits, telling me it’s seven in the morning, and reminding me the more time I spend laying in this bed, the more I risk when I eventually sneak out of it. With August’s garish display last night, I have no doubts that the media will be watching us both like a hawk now. And the last thing I can afford is for them to catch me leavinganywherein last night's gown.
As gently as I can, I turn over onto my back and sit up, pulling myself out of bed to search for my phone.
The floor is cool beneath my feet as I tip-toe through Sly’s apartment, finding my clutch by the front door where I let it drop last night.
Digging through my purse, I locate it and open my messages to text Raina.
Can I borrow your driver?
Walking to the window, I pick up my dress that’s laying in a heap next to the leather armchair. The beads are scratchy as I hold the gown close to my body and stare out at the city, letting the memories of last night play like a movie in my head.
Every groan that left his lips, the look on his face when he finally shuddered his release. The way he held me in his strong arms, cradling my head against his chest as he whispered things I couldn’t understand in Italian. I should have asked him what they meant, butthe beauty of the language bewitched me, and the safety of his presence allowed me to drift off to sleep.
My phone vibrates in my hand, pulling me from my thoughts. Raina’s name flashes across the screen as an incoming call and for a second I hesitate. The apartment is silent, but I decide to answer anyway. “Hello?”
“Hey,” she croaks, her voice thick with sleep. “Do you still need the car?”
“Yeah, is that ok?” I whisper, turning my body away from the direction of Sly’s room, shielding my mouth with my hand to try to contain my voice.
Air assaults the receiver, and the unmistakable sound of a man in the background asks, “What time is it?” His voice almost sounds familiar, like I’ve heard it before.
“Shh,” Raina chastises, but she sounds muffled, like she’s covering the speaker.
“Of course,” she says, sounding normal again. “Hang on.” The rustling of the phone being readjusted is loud against my ear, before a clicking begins, from what I assume is her typing a message. “Where are you?”
“The Kenna.”
More tapping ensues, then stops. The phone line goes silent for a beat before she says, “Okay, he’s on his way. ETA is ten minutes.”
“I owe you one,” I tell her, cradling the phone against my shoulder so I can step into my dress. “The last thing I need is for the press to catch me hailing acab in last night’s dress, especially after that stunt August pulled.”
“I still can’t believe he did that.”
I reach behind and zip up my dress. “Yeah, well, unfortunately I can. I swear, if he’s at brunch today, I might need to call you for backup.”
“Don’t hesitate. I’ll be around all day.”
“Thanks. I have to go. Thanks for lending me your driver.”
“Anytime.” She blows a kiss into the phone, then ends the call.
Stuffing my phone back into my clutch, I walk back toward Sly’s room. My heels are still on the floor by his bed, but I leave them there. I’ll say goodbye first, then deal with putting them on.
As I approach, a smile touches my lips as I look at him—sleeping peacefully, unknowing how sexy he is without even trying. He’ssleeping, and still he looks like a demigod. My body flushes with conflicting emotions—my heart tugs with affection, while there’s a rush of desire that leads straight to my core.
Stopping at the edge of his bed, I reach out and run a finger down the curve of his cheek and against short beard. Even in his sleep, he turns toward my touch.
“Sly,” I say, running my finger down his cheek again, rousing him softly. “I have to go.”
He stirs and reaches for my hand, weaving his fingers through mine. “Mmm, don’t go. Stay.”
“I can’t. I arranged for a driver to pick me up. I have to go.”
Grinning, he pulls me forward, and I have no choice but to land on top of him. His eyes finally crack open, his free hand tangling in my hair. “You put the dress back on. Perhaps I need to peel it off of you again.”
I use this angle to my advantage and press my lips to his chest, peppering kisses to his skin as I work my way up his neck to his lips. When I reach them, I kiss him slowly, and he immediately grants me access, tangling his tongue with mine.
