Page 54 of Beauty Beneath the Sorrow
He’s unlike any man I’ve met before.
Carter spent two full days with me. He cooked, gave me round-the-clock fever reducers, and slept beside me the entire time. Although I have mixed feelings about how he kept his distance a few times, I woke up comfortably snuggled under his arm, and it felt so fucking good. I rarely moved throughout the night, but he’d hold me tighter when I did. His body heat wrapped around me was a level of intimacy I’d never known. It was dense and crushing—but in the most incredible way.
I’m not sure how he knew that white roses were my favorite, but I’ve had the biggest smile all morning despite being weakfrom getting over the flu.
I walk out of the bathroom with a towel around my torso to see my sister opening my bedroom windows. “Let’s clear this place out,” she says, flipping up the shutters. I’m sure you want some fresh air.”
“Thank you.” A light breeze sweeps across my bare skin. “I feel like a new woman today.”
She plops down on my bed. “Thank god. I thought your dad’s friend was never going to leave.”
My heart skips, but my stomach turns.My dad’s friend.“He was trying to make sure I was okay.”
“Really? Because you usually don’t do what he did unless you have a thing for someone.” She smacks her gum.
I stroll over to my dresser, rolling my wet hair in the towel. “I think we’re friends.”
“More than a friend, if you ask me,” she quips.
Carter and I have a palpable energy that passes between us. It happens every time we’re in the same room—like we’re drawn to each other. We can sense each other’s movements and anticipate each other’s needs.
I blink those thoughts away. “I didn’t ask you.”
“Lucky for you, I will give you all the unsolicited opinions you need.” She gives me a lopsided grin. “Does Brian know how close you are with Carter?”
Panic zips up my back. “No. And we’re not thatclose. We work together, and he’s my friend. That’s it.”Not to mention that I let him go down on me in a library at the masquerade ball.
“Those are some elaborate flowers to get from afriend.” Zoe motions to the bouquet.
I roll my eyes. “Don’t you have school or another college guy to fuck?”
“I do,actually.Thank you for the reminder.” She jumps off my bed with one finger in the air. “I’m meeting a guy about an Anthropology paper at noon.”
“Okay, well, he better be good, and you better get an A.”
She stops at the doorframe. “Oh, I will. He’s a good writer and takes his schoolworkveryseriously.”
“You’re so gross.” I playfully shove her the rest of the way out of my room. “Remember to be safe, and I’ll be back on Wednesday!”
Avery perches herself over the top of one of the empty seats. “We don’t have to report back until close to three in the afternoon tomorrow. Do you want to go do something tonight?”
“I’m still getting over the flu, and you want to drag me out?” I wince. “For a late night?”
Christian, one of the other pilots on our flight crew, and Carter walk by us on their way out of the plane. “Come on, Lina,” he comments over his shoulder. “It’ll be fun!”
Carter glances over at me. “She’s getting over being sick. Give her some time.”
It would be nice to go out, even if for a little while. “Having some fun tonight after being stuck in my house for the last four days does sound good,” I say, shooting a soft look in Carter’sdirection.
His eyebrows raise, and I can tell he’s asking me if I’m sure.
I give him a quick, reassuring nod.
Christian flips on his cap. “Are you joining us, Hernandez?”
“Sure.” Carter glances in my direction with a smile.
“Fabulous.” Avery clutches my arm, jumping up and down. “But for real, if you aren’t up to it, please don’t feel like you have to.”
