Page 46 of Dream Chaser
I find my bag under the pile of everyone else’s, dig through it, and find pajamas—a pair of my old, perfectly worn flannel sleep shorts and a thermal shirt. Which is the opposite of hook-up attire.
I head to the bathroom, where I find my phone lit up. I have a message from Dad.
Dad:
Mom and I love you, kiddo. Breakfast in the morning?
Me:
Sounds good. Love you both.
I take a quick shower, dry off, swipe on some lotion, run a brush through my hair, brush my teeth again with my own toothbrush, and breathe.
Inhale,don’t do it. Exhale,don’t do it. Inhale,don’t do it. Exhale,don’t do it.
Then … I walk to the door, open it, and peek out, hoping someone will be out there and snap me out of this insanity.
No one is.
I take a left.
Sixteen oh nine, almost comical.
Each step echoes in my head louder than the last. My hand trembles as I lift the key.
I need answers.
Okay, yeah, then maybe more.
The key he gave me slides into the lock. The door opens soundlessly, and there he is, sitting shirtless on the edge of the bed, phone in hand, head bowed as he looks up from the screen, then sets it on the bed. That tempting treasure trail that constantly flashes when he stretches? It’s not the only hair on his body. Skinner doesn’t shave—he’s not a waxed, polished boy. He’s a damn man. The light spatters of hair on his chest and absare light, and neatly trimmed, and it does wildly inappropriate things to my brain, and other bits, too.
He stands like he’s been waiting. I lift my hand before he can say a word.
“Stay right there. I have things to say.”
He pauses mid-motion then drops his ass down, leans back, palms braced on the white duvet, with a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. Head tilted. Watching me.
“Don’t look so smug,” I warn. “You might not like what I have to say, but it needs to be said.”
He nods slowly.
“First, if you like Lexi, then this”—I motion between us—“doesn’t happen. I don’t mess around with anyone who has or wants to fuck with my girls. It’s not cute. It would cause a rift I refuse to allow in my life. Dick comes and goes, but my relationship with them? That’s forever.”
He quirks a brow, amused. “Lexi’s cool, but there’s no attraction?—”
“And no lies. No bullshit,” I cut him off. “You came up to us at the meet and greet, acting all curious about who she was, flirted and?—”
He interrupts. “I came to you because the place was full of strangers, and you were in the middle of an argument. No one had your back. So I took it.”
History would caution me thatthatwas a load of crap. However, I have a PhD in reading this man, and my gut says he’s telling the truth.
“Fine,” I say. “Whatever. But?—”
He crosses his arms, jaw tightening.
“What?”
“I’m not a bitch in the bedroom. Usually, I don’t give a damn. But ifyoudon’t believe me—if you’re gonna look at me likejust any other girl, I’ll be forced to ask you to leave, no matter howmuch I want you. Then I’ll end up yanking my dick off after watching you walk out.”
