Page 94 of No Place Like You

“I’m sorry,” I interrupt. “We had already made things clear on where we stand, and I made it unnecessarily uncomfortable for the both of us. I didn’t mean to lose it last night.”

She shakes her head. “No, no, I get it,” she assures. “There’s a lot going on, and we really should have talked it out and…”

I nod. “I know.”

She dips her mouth to the side and kisses me again. She kisses me like she’s hungry, whimpering into my mouth and clawing at my back as if she were scraping her nails against my bare skin instead of my suit jacket. My hands travel down to her hips and they continue, trailing down her thigh until they reach her soft skin underneath her dress.

An echoing laughter followed by fading footsteps has her pushing me away, making the air cold and harsh on my swollen lips. “Nat won’t be in my room tonight,” she says breathlessly, eyeing the open end of the hallway. “So…”

I dip my face to her jaw, trailing my nose against her skin. Fuck, she smells so good. She took the time to spritz some perfume on her skin. Something that smells like cherries and roses—probably something she usually reserves for special occasions—and it’s mind-blowing. She tilts her head back, allowing me access as I plant a wet kiss behind her ear. “Are you inviting me over to make pillow forts and tell scary stories?”

She giggles. “Among other things.” She kisses me again, gripping my head and yanking me to her. “Do you, um, have, like, you know, protection?” she asks against my lips.

“I think I have a letter opener in my room.”

Her shoulders shake with a laugh. “My knight in shining armor.”

I clear my throat. “But, uh, the other stuff. I actually don’t.”

She pulls away, a little disappointed. “Oh.”

“Sorry.”

“No,” she says soothingly while running a hand along my cheek. “I mean, I like that. You weren’t expecting anything…”

I shake my head. “But the gift shop might still be open.”

Her eyes light up. “Gift shop then?”

43

Lucy

Dexter and Isaid some half-assed goodbyes to Hayden and Nat before rushing out of the reception. Dexter went first with plans to stop by the gift shop, and I used the excuse of a faux headache before running up to my room. Carmen gave strict instructions to drink plenty of fluids—most likely assuming my “headache” was due to an overconsumption of champagne—and I smiled with a secret held on my tongue. Something that hinted toward the knowledge that hydration will be a part of my night, just the latter part of it.

I’m pacing the small space between the two queen beds in my room now. My heels are kicked off to the side, but I still have my dress on. Maybe I should brush my teeth. Or shave? That’s what you’re supposed to do when you’re about to have sex, right? Like, primp or preen or some shit. I lift my arm to bring my nose to my right armpit and take a quick whiff. At least I’m good there.

Those panicky thoughts on grooming choices and hygienic care are interrupted when there’s a light knock on my door. I can do this. Whateverit is Dexter and I are doing, I can do it. Whether we crash and burn or free-fall into the most thrilling experience in my life, I can do this. Because if I don’t…

“Hey.”

I tilt my head, my hand on the doorknob and my eyes lingering on the loosened knot of his tie, with his hand so casually tucked into his pants pocket. “Hi.”

He walks into the room when I open the door a little wider, and I sort of watch him take everything in. The scattered mess of my makeup bag and loose jewelry on the desk where a small lamp sits dimly lit. My bathing suit and some clothes draped over an armchair sitting in the corner. He turns on his feet and faces me. I take a few steps toward him, one foot in front of the other like a scared yet curious kitten.

My heart feels like it’s racing out of my chest. Like I’m simultaneously running through a haunted mansion maze and riding a rollercoaster at the same time. And yet, I just want to fall. Into Dexter’s arms, into us, and every single possibility that could come between.

“I-you look…” he stutters, chuffing a shy laugh. “You look beautiful.”

I take another step to him, placing my hand on the desk he’s standing next to. “Thank you.”

His hand covers mine. “I don’t think I’ve told you that yet.”

I smirk. “No, you haven’t.”

“Lucy,” he whispers. His knuckles glide up my arm, and I feel like I could crumble to the ground. Like all I’ve ever wanted in my life is this, for Dexter to touch me and make me feel…alive. “You’re so beautiful. Sometimes, when I think about how beautiful you are, it actually hurts.” He pauses to run his thumb down the column of my neck, grazing over my thready pulse point. “I still can’t believe you exist. And that I’ve touched you and kissed you. And that you let me.”

I kiss him, sinking into him, because how can I not after hearing those words?

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