Page 59 of Novel Problems

“Yes?” I pulled on my boxers.

“Remember how you said you were interested in having more author events at Novel Gossip?”

My body relaxed. This line of conversation was intriguing but didn’t sound too concerning. Although, it did bring on a twinge of guilt about my failure to organize any events this week.

“Yes?” I tilted my head, putting on my best encouraging expression to try to put Hannah at ease.

“Well… I hope you don’t mind—I didn’t want to tell you in case they said no—but I reached out to Chris Chen to ask if they’d be interested in doing one at Novel Gossip.”

I froze.Hannah knows Chris Chen and invited them to Novel Gossip?

“They said they could come Thursday if that would work? They can do afternoon or evening. I know that’s soon,but their schedule is pretty full with book launch activities. Would you be interested?”

“Are you fucking serious?” I stared at Hannah in shock.

“Yes. Is that okay?”

My heart ached at the nervous waver in her voice. I walked over to her and wrapped my arms around her waist. “Of course it’s okay. It’s incredible! Chris Chen is my second-favorite author—after you, of course.” I ran my thumb down Hannah’s cheek and kissed her. “And Thursday is perfect. It gives us enough time to get organized and get the word out.”

“Okay, good.” Hannah smiled at me.

My chest expanded as I gazed into Hannah’s eyes. Goddamn, she was wonderful. I’d just been worrying about my lack of events, and she’d organized one for me. But Hannah’s reticence at raising certain topics of conversation with me was concerning. I desperately wanted Hannah to feel as comfortable with me as I did with her and to be able to talk to me about issues that were bothering her.

“Hey, babe. Is everything okay?” I asked, my voice low. “I got the impression you were nervous when you asked me to turn the subtitles on earlier and again just then when you told me the amazing news about Chris. You know you can ask or tell me anything, right?”

Hannah gave me a soft, slightly ashamed smile. “I know. I’m sorry.” She exhaled. “I usually feel so comfortable with you, but I clearly still have some hang-ups from living with Tania. She used to complain about me putting the subtitles on because she found it distracting. And there were a few times when I tried to do something special for her but totally missed the mark. And she wasn’t afraid of letting me know.” Hannah sighed. “Sorry, I know you’re not Tania, butI think I’ve still got some residual anxiety hardwired in from that relationship that will take a while to disappear.”

I smiled back at her, relieved, and then leaned closer to her, tucking a stray hair behind her ear.

“I get it. These things take time to get over. And now that I understand where it’s coming from, hopefully it will make things easier for both of us,” I said.

“Damn, George O’Grady. Could you get any more perfect?” Hannah asked softly.

She took off her glasses, placed them on the side table, and turned back to me.

I leaned back in, kissing her again, my hands finding their way under her silk pajama top and caressing the bare skin of her back. Our kisses deepened in intensity, our mouths hungry for more.

“If we keep this up, some vows are going to be broken tonight,” I mumbled in between kisses.

Hannah gently pushed me down on the bed, straddling me. She bent over, her lips tracing my jawline to my earlobe. She gently tugged at it with her teeth, her warm breath sending electricity shooting down my body.

“Well, in the scheme of vows that could be broken, I think this is one of the better ones. That is, if you’re feeling up for it, of course,” Hannah murmured near my ear.

“I am always up for it,” I said, my breath ragged, as I flipped her on her back and kissed her collarbone, my hands running over her soft, warm skin. All my exhaustion had vanished, replaced with pulsing desire.

“How do you feel about toys?” Hannah panted.

I grinned. I loved that Hannah felt comfortable enough with me to raise the topic. “I feel very positively about toys. What were you thinking?”

“Well, I have a selection…in the gray box under my bed.”

I rolled off Hannah and flung myself over the side of the bed, just managing to keep my lower body balanced on the sheets. I peered under the bed, spotting the box just a few inches away. I gave it an excited yank and nearly fell off the mattress.

Feeling a little bit like a kid opening presents on Christmas morning, my body buzzed with anticipation as to what would be in Hannah’s sex toy box.

After my near fall, I carefully pulled the box, which was promisingly heavy, onto the bed and opened the lid. Hannah lay on her side, a tentative smile on her face as she watched me explore its contents.

Dildos in various sizes and colors, a harness, and a number of vibrators, ranging from small bullet and suction models to a gigantic magic wand, handcuffs, silk ties, a blindfold, and feathers.Wow.I was not expecting such a collection. I took a deep breath, trying not to get too excited at the thought of trying out all the toys with Hannah.

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