Page 61 of Fashionista's Playbook

I laughed with a hint of surprise. “You planned this?”

He answered with a half grin and a wink before shifting so that I lay splayed across his chest. He’d wanted me, enough to not be interrupted. For whatever reason, that fact delighted me and made me feel special.

I relished the strength and hardness of him and wondered if this was all a bizarre dream. Sex had never, ever been like that for me. And I’d never imagined enjoying it so much. I’d thought the first time might have been a fluke.

It wasn’t.

But more, being held, Travis’ arms around me, was something I’d never thought I deserved. Thinking about that brought the prickle of tears, so I didn’t and instead enjoyed the moment with him.

When I grew cool despite the fire, and Travis’ breathing resumed a normal rhythm, I slid from him.

“Where are you going?” His arms folded behind his head he was the epitome of confident contentment.

Everything I’d never been.

I scooped up my clothes and made a valiant attempt to cover myself with the crumpled material. My large, pink bra lay several inches from his head, but I made no move to get it. I hurriedly pulled the dress over my head. “Going home, it’s late.” I couldn’t afford to make a habit of sleeping over at Travis’.

His eyes narrowed and he sucked his bottom lip between his teeth. “Just leaving?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I tried not to notice the way his wide chest narrowed down to his waist; or the line of dark hair that started beneath his navel and traveled lower, flanked by muscles and valleys I’d never imagined existed. He wasn’t human.

With a huff, I snatched up the bra and tucked it under my arm.

“Fuck me and run off. I’m developing a complex.” There was a touch of wounded pride in his voice.

“Don’t be ridiculous.” I hadn’t meant to hurt his feelings, and the surge of surprise was genuine.

I softened and folded my arms over my chest. “I’m sorry, I just didn’t want to… impose, I guess.”

He arched one eyebrow and anger flashed like the fire behind him. “Are you serious?”

Fear clenched my throat. I was making this worse, when all I wanted to do was escape before he realized the mistakehe’dmade.

“I’m no good at this Travis, I’ve never…I don’t…” I pleaded with him with my gaze, hoping my eyes could say what my mouth couldn’t, then took a deep breath. I could fix this, I knew how, but is that really what he’d want?

If he didn’t, I’d be completely humiliated.

But at least he wouldn’t think I didn’t want to be with him. “Let’s go to bed.”

The corners of his lips curved his anger and the last of his aggression evaporated. “You were running away, weren’t you?”

“Maybe.” I admitted easily as he stood.

“Come on, Mariposa.” He took off naked, pausing to click off the fireplace and stopping at the closest bathroom to clean up before leading me away from the living room—and up the stairs.

Being in his room, after showering with him, and making love to him in his bed, still gave me butterflies. In a large shirt that smelled of Travis, as well as his shorts I snuggled beneath his covers. I’d been pleasantly surprised when his clothes fit loosely on me.

Travis tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “I lied to myself.’

A new spark of fear lit my chest.

“That I could have sex with you without catching feelings.”

That was even scarier. Trusting someone with my body was hard enough, but—feelings, a relationship?

I couldn’t put words to how to respond. Did I have feelings for Travis? Of course, he was amazing. Was all of that, paired with the amazing sex, perfect beyond measure? Yes.

He must have sensed my reaction, because he pulled me closer. “Too soon?”

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