Page 94 of Craving Francesca

I fell back asleep.

The next morning, I woke up to sunlight pouring through the gap in the motel’s curtains.

“Mornin’,” Gray said from his spot at the table. Doughnuts and his trusty book were sitting in front of him.

“What time is it?” I asked, leaning up as I brushed my hair out of my face. I didn’t remember that I was still topless until the blankets fell, and cold air brushed over my bare skin.

Gray looked me over. I felt iteverywhere.

“Eleven thirty.”

“For real?” I asked, looking back at the window. I never slept late. “Why didn’t you wake me?”

“You needed the sleep.”

“We should’ve been on the road hours ago.”

“Says who?” he asked in amusement. “Got somewhere you need to be?”

“No.”

“Then we’ll get on the road when we get on the road.”

“Well, next time wake me,” I said, shoving the blankets off my legs so I could get out of bed.

“Not gonna happen,” he said, watching me as I crossed the room.

The expression on his face was the best kind of ego boost. I pulled my shoulders back.

“Why not?” I asked as I reached him, stepping around his legs until I was straddling his lap.

“You need the sleep. I’m not gonna fuck with that.” He let out a low groan when I lowered onto his lap.

“Is this what we’re doing now?” I asked, running my hands through the hair that he hadn’t yet pulled back for the day. “I didn’t think so, but then last night…”

“That what you want?” he asked, his hands landing on my waist.

“No answering questions with questions,” I chastised.

The sleep I’d gotten had done more for my anxiety and worry than anything else had. I felt strong. Capable. Turned on. Maybe it would fade, who knew.

“Figured out I was gone for you last month,” he said after a moment. “I’m down for any of it.”

“Yeah? Any of it?”

“You wanna be together? I’m in. You wanna use my cock like you own it and walk away afterward? Do it. You wanna keep it friendly? I’ll keep my hands to myself.”

“As easy as that?”

“Probably shouldn’t say it,” he muttered, lifting one hand to give my hair a tug so I’d tilt my head back, and he could nip at my pulse point. “But I’m not sure there’s anythin’ you could ask for at this point that I wouldn’t give you.”

“I like the sound of that.”

“That night when I handed you your clothes,” he continued, making me freeze. “It was already chilly in the bedroom, and I wanted to open the window to smoke. Didn’t want you to get cold.”

“What?” I snapped my head back down to look at him.

“Wasn’t tryin’ to kick you out,” he clarified. “But then you were rushin’ to leave, so I figured you weren’t interested in round two.”

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