Then, he slowly and gently released my hair, ensuring that I wouldn’t collapse face-first onto the bed, but would instead sink down comfortably.
Burying my face between the pillows, I tried to catch my breath and regain control of my emotions at the same time. Christ, there was probably nothing that turned guys off more than an emotional one-night stand.
Dom’s rough palm skimmed down my back, sending shivers shooting up my spine. The mattress shook as he got up andpadded off, barefoot, presumably to the bathroom. I’d only need a minute or two, then I’d pull myself together and clean up.
I was so lost in my own thoughts that I didn’t even notice his return, so I jumped when he started to wipe me clean with a warm, damp cloth.
“Oh, um, thank you,” I stammered like an idiot, my voice muffled between the pillows.
Dom chuckled a little, like I’d said something funny, but he just kept going. Then he put his fists on either side of my head and hovered over me, his presence enveloping me like a warm blanket.
“You’re welcome, Darlin’.”
My cheeks burned, and I swallowed hard.How had he managed to throw me off balance like that?
Just as I was about to roll over to make my exit, the sheet was gently lowered onto my back, soft as a feather … and a heavy, warm arm wrapped around my waist.
Well, that hadn’t been on my bingo card.What the hell was I supposed to do now?
Seven
Dom
Squinting, I opened my eyes before instantly shutting them again. I must not have closed the curtain properly because the blinding sunlight fell through a crack and directly onto my face.
Groaning, I rolled over, arm outstretched, searching for Sierra’s warm body.
Shit, I still had plans for her, but I guess we were both so exhausted that we didn’t wake up again.Shame, really. I’d been looking forward to waking her up with my head between her legs.
I groped around blindly on the other side of the bed until I reached the edge of the mattress. Empty. Cold.
I snapped my eyes open and scanned the room, straining to catch the faintest sound.
Could she be in the bathroom?
Then, all at once, reality burst into my consciousness. There were no sounds, none of her things anywhere in the room —no Sierra.
I sat up and scrubbed my face with one hand. The sterile chill of the room pressed in around me — all bland beige walls, industrial carpet, and hotel artwork no one ever really looked at.
I dropped my head back against the padded headboard and stared up at the white ceiling, where a faint water stain hovered just off-center like it was mocking me.
She’d snuck out. Disappointment sat heavy as a stone in the pit of my stomach, even though my rational side suggested that this affair was never going anywhere anyway.
At least not right now. Lifting my head back up, I ran my fingers through my hair and looked down at my lap.
I hadn’t expected to feel this way. Hell, I wasn’t sure what I had expected. When I’d imagined this recruiting trip, I thought there’d be attractive college girls and maybe some flirting. I thought there might be a casual hookup or two.
But I hadn’t imagined her. NotSierra. Not this infatuation that took root overnight and refused to let go.
Still sprawled on the bed, I stared at the ink stretched over my forearms. Tracing the familiar lines with my eyes, I let them ground me while my thoughts spun faster than I liked.
One night would have to do. For now.
The disappointment bit deep, sharp, and unexpected. Beneath it though, something darker bloomed. Determination. Purpose.
She didn’t know who I really was. And that had been the right call. If I’d told her, I might’ve ruined the one clean shot I’ll ever get with her. Now, she’d remember me the way I wanted her to.
No baggage, no pressure. Just that connection, that chemistry.
