She was stretched across the mattress, bare skin glowing under the warm amber light of the candles she’d lit. She laid on her stomach lazily as she flipped through the room service menu, utterly unbothered and completely naked. Except for the panties she’d been saving for me to rip off.
Her curves were just as I remembered—toned and flawless. That faint, familiar tattoo on her lower back peeked above the line of her underwear.
She looked exactly like the photos she used to send me at night—only better. Real. Tangible.Mine.
And something dark and possessive surged up inside me, so strong and sharp it made me dizzy.
She was mine.
The thought hit hard and my dick twitched under the towel before I could even process it.
Then she looked up and caught me standing there like a fool. A lazy, knowing smile pulled at her lips. “Hey, stranger.”
My body surged toward her like it had a mind of its own—but suddenly, something warm tickled under my nose. I swiped it without thinking, only to feel the wet drag of blood against my knuckles.
“Shit.”
I turned quickly and ducked back into the bathroom, heart racing and mind scrambled. I gripped the sink, cursing under my breath as I pressed a towel to my face.
Fucking perfect.
I couldn’t tell if it was the altitude, the heat, or the rush of want that had me unraveling, but one thing was clear—
I was in deep.
And I wasn’t sure I knew how to swim anymore.
She’s trying to kill me.
Just looking at her made me burn. I wanted to know what was new.
What new sounds she’d make and what new spots she liked.
Fuck. I still had to tell her.
“Is everything okay?” she asked from behind the door.
I opened the bathroom door, and there she was, standing in front of me with eyes full of worry. I couldn’t bring myself to meet her gaze. Instead, my eyes fell to her body—her round breasts accented with her pierced nipples, the curve of her hips, the faint stretch marks that reminded me she was real, not some fantasy.
Finally, my gaze met hers. She was waiting for me to say something, but the answer was clear in her eyes.
She cared.
She loved me.
This wasn’t just about sex or a fleeting desire. I was more than something to fuck because she couldn’t have Marcus. She was here because she wanted to be withme. She was here, with me, because she loved me. I just had to let go of the doubts.
I swallowed hard, the tension in my chest loosening slightly, but it still wasn’t enough to quiet the voice in my head.
“I have a headache,” I said, my voice low. “Is it okay if we call it a night?”
“Do you need to see a doctor?” she asked, concern lacing her voice. “I thought I saw your nose bleeding.”
“I’m fine,” I assured her, forcing a smile. “I just need to rest. We can talk about it tomorrow.”
She nodded, a hesitant smile on her lips, and climbed into bed with me. She curled into me, her breasts pressing against my chest, the coolness of the piercings digging into my skin.
I didn’t mind. I welcomed the sting.
