I didn’t deserve her.
But I was selfish enough to keep her anyway.
“I love you so much. You know that, right?”
She replied by sliding her hand down and cupping me through my slacks.
“I know Teddy. I love you, too,” she murmured, and my body responded instantly.
Of course it did.
But my stomach tightened with something else.
Guilt.Because she didn’t know.
I hadn’t told her about what I’d done, and it chewed at me in this moment, though I fought to keep it down. I kept telling myself I was waiting for the right moment, that we weren’t ready for that kind of conversation, not as soon as she landed.
But the truth? I was scared.
“Carmen, baby. Not right now.”
“Yes. Yes, right now,” she moaned, tipping on her toes to kiss my neck and immediately working on my belt.
Reluctantly, I pulled away. “Stop.”
My voice came out rougher than I meant, causing her to look up at me, her hand pausing. No hurt in her eyes, just… curiosity.
I kissed her gently to ease her mind.
“I have to get back to work.”
Disappointment made her face fall, and I felt horrible.
“Teddy…” She dragged. “You said when we got home.”
“I know, I know,” I ran a hand over my jaw in reverence. “But I could only get a few hours free to pick you up,Amore mio. We’re very busy.”
She studied my face, trying to see if I was being honest.
I wasn’t. Not completely.
I mean, we were busy. But I wasn’tneededat work. I did, however, mean to get out of this room before I did something I’d regret.
She sighed and took a seat on the couch. “Well, I guess you’ll make it up to me later.”
I smirked, already planning it.
“You need anything before I go?”
“Nah,” she said, waving me off, already toeing off her sneakers. “I’m gonna take a shower and crash for a bit. I’m dead.”
I smiled, stepping in front of her and brushing my knuckles lightly down her cheek.
“Well, don’t get too comfortable.”
She arched a brow at me.
“I’m taking you out to dinner tonight. So wear something pretty.”
