Page 13 of October

“I’m thinking… that… we should probably talk about last night,”

She drops her hand and sighs before pushing herself to sit, careful not to let the sheet fall from her body. Her walls immediately went up. “Okay. Can you come sit down, at least? You being across the room is making this feel like I’m about to be scolded.”

“That’s the furthest thing from the truth, Wren.” I tell her, crossing the room to sit on the bed next to her.

“Can I go first?” she asks and I nod in agreement. “Okay, so the first thing I want to say is I don’t regret what happened last night. Not at all, and I really hope you don’t either. We both expressed very enthusiastic consent, there was no alcohol involved. I was clearheaded; you were clearheaded, and we both just… went with it. I have no regrets.”

I’m shocked at the relief that spreads across my body. I guess I didn’t even realize I was more concerned about her regretting it because… I don’t either.

“I don’t either, but I have concerns.”

“I’m listening.”

“I don’t want this to change your relationship with Casey. She loves you and the last thing I want is for her to lose you because I couldn’t keep my hands to myself.”

She reaches across the bed and takes my face in her hands. “I love Casey too, and I love working for you both.”

“And you’re so fucking young, Wren. It makes me feel like I took advantage.”

“I’m twenty-four years old. Yes, you’re older than me, but I’m an adult. Did any part of last night seem like I was not fully present and willing?”

I think back to the arching of her back and her nails scraping my skin. “No, not at all.”

“Then you have nothing to worry about. This doesn’t have to be a thing or change a thing. It’s something that happened. If it happens again, excellent. If it doesn’t, that’s okay too.”

The thought of never having her again makes my stomach twist.

“I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of you,” I say in a moment of honesty.

“Yeah?” She smirks and leans closer.

“Oh yeah,” I reach out to grip the back of her neck to pull her lips to mine.

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!

“Housekeeping!” We hear someone yell from the other side of the door.

“Fuck,” I groan and drop my hand away and she laughs.

“We better get out of here before they bust in on us,” she says then stands to get dressed. “Give us a couple minutes. Just need to grab our things,” she says loud enough for the housekeeper to hear.

And then… She. Drops. The. Damn. Sheet. Leaving me on the bed to watch her walk naked across the room and get dressed.

“You’re staring,” she teases.

“Wouldn’t you?”

“Probably.” She shrugs playfully.

Five minutes later, we are checking out at the front desk and heading out to my truck.

“Can I make you dinner tonight?” she asks when we pull out of the parking lot. “Can’t have you fending for yourself. Who knows what could happen.”

“As long as you make those pork chops. The ones with the soy sauce glaze.”

“Consider it done.”

She slips off her shoes and props her feet up on the dash when we finally hit the highway. Her hair is blowing in the breeze and she’s bopping along to the music leaving the speakers.

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