Page 100 of Words We Didn't Say

Grinning, I rolled on my back. “I’ve got just the spot for you.” I thumped my chest. “Right here.”

Eden scooted along the sheets, quiet as a mouse, tucking against me with her head on my heart and an arm slung over my waist. Her hair tickled my nose. She smelled like tropical cocktails, coconut and lime—a reminder for me to book a romantic vacation once the partnership announcement was behind us.

“Feel better?” I kissed the top of her head.

Eden answered with a light touch to my jaw and a kiss on my chin. “Can I show you how I feel?” she whispered.

I nodded, but the logical side of my brain tracked each movement, none of the puzzle pieces clicking neatly into place yet.

She was trying to distract me…but…from what?

Eden’s kisses started on my neck, and she propped herself up, her hair hanging in a dark curtain, shielding the truth on her face. A soft kiss dropped on my mouth. Another. Harder. Longer. I only dared to cup her cheek to keep her sweet mouth on me. I’d always loved kissing Eden. Time slowed down. Worries—work—disappeared. The world revolved around her, the only noises my accelerating heartbeat and the needy rumbles in my chest that made her hum happily in reply.

Her fingers curled around my hand and dragged it down…down…until my palm swallowed her breast.

Again?

“Denny Dee?” I searched through the dark for her gaze, but I didn’t understand the eyes that blinked back at me. “Please, talk to me. What do you need?”

She bit her lip, silent as she continued to explore my chest, my abdomen, following the trail of hair from my belly button withthe tip of her index finger until she wrapped a firm grip around my cock. I choked back a grunt of surprise.

“Yeah.” She moaned long and low as she stroked the hard length from base to tip.“That’swhat I need.”

Eden was an expert at distracting me.

Logic switched off. My questions went unasked, unanswered, when she straddled me, her fingernails sharp in my chest, her dark eyes drilling into mine, some hidden message behind the intensity as she rode me hard, unrelenting, demanding pleasure to erase whatever was bothering her. When I was still catching my breath from the first orgasm, she nudged my hand between her thighs to sweetly ask for her second.

I knew Eden. Sex was a Band-Aid. She was craving validation. Feeling vulnerable. But… Why? Dread swirled in my gut. I’d screwed up again. I must have. But every path my mind wandered down led nowhere. Nothing made sense.

And sleep never won over.

When the birds chirped their morning greeting outside, I was exhausted but awake, boneless from all the sex, but my muscles taut with nerves. Groaning, I rolled over and tried to untangle myself from Eden’s death grip. Cold air hit my backside as I edged out of the sheets.

Eden’s eyes snapped open.

“Where are you going?” she demanded, her arms latching around my waist.

“Sorry, Denny Dee. I have to head back to my apartment to get ready for work.”

“No.” She pouted.

“Eden.”My best grouchy dad’s voice was a lost cause. Her grip only tightened. I chuckled as I pried her arms from my waist. “I’ll make it up to you.”

She dipped her gaze, smiling sweetly. “Now?” Her fingertips danced along my bare chest.

“Later.” I kissed her. “Promise.”

And my promises meant something these days. Eden knew. Still, her gaze locked on me as I stumbled blind through the clutter to pick up my discarded clothes. I threw them on, found my glasses on the nightstand, and sat on the edge of the bed.

Seemingly defeated, her head bowed.

“Eden, is something wrong? I know I haven’t always listened as much as I should, but I’m listening now.” I brushed the strands of her ruffled bed hair behind her ear. Coaxed her chin up with gentle fingers. “You can talk to me.”

“It’s your big day,” she whispered. “Is the promotion still what you want?”

“More than anything.”

Her smile seemed forced. “Almost there.”

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