Page 59 of Keeping Skylar
“How old are you?” I randomly ask.
She frowns at me, clearly surprised by my intrusive question. “Don’t you know it’s rude to ask a woman her age?”
“I’m just curious. I’ve known you for over month now, and I still don’t know how old you are.”
“I turn thirty-two on April the eighth,” she says before taking another bite of her wrap.
“That’s just over three weeks away. What are you planning to do for it?”
She shrugs and sets her empty plate on the bedside table. “To be honest, I haven’t really thought about it. It’ll be the first birthday I spend without my family and best friend, so I’m not in the mood to celebrate this year.”
“Well, you can always celebrate with Hannah, Nate and me. We can organise something nice. It’ll be my treat.” I wink at her.
She waves me off as if it’s the most absurd idea she’s ever heard. “Oh, no. That’s not necessary, Heath. I’m more than happy to just sit in front of the TV with a bottle of wine and maybe some cake.”
“Babe, no! I can’t think of anything more depressing. We’re celebrating, and that’s final.”
“Okay, fine! But only if I can help organise yours and Hannah’s birthday. When is it, by the way? You guys have never mentioned it, or your age, for that matter.” She shakes her head, the realisation only just hitting her. “I can’t believe I’ve never asked,” she chides, and I can’t help but laugh.
“We’re thirty-one on September twelfth.”
Her jaw drops, and she genuinely looks stunned by the revelation. “Wait, so you’re younger than me?”
I nod. “That seems to be the case, yes. Is that a bad thing, cradle snatcher?” I tease.
“I am not!” she exclaims, smacking my bicep playfully. “For your information, I’ve only ever dated older men. I suppose, I’ve always had a preference for them.” Her words hit me like a slap on the face.
“How come? Age ain’t nothing but a number.”
“That’s true, but I don’t know ...” She shrugs. “I guess I just clicked better with them on an intellectual and emotional level. Although, my ex-husband was two years older than me, and well, he was just plain immature and emotionally stunted. So, what do I know?”
“That just means it’s time to broaden your horizons a little. You never know what kind of amazing guy you might stumble across.”I flash her a playful grin, waggling my brows for good measure.
She shakes her head, giggling. “What are you implying, Heath?”
“I’m just saying, there’s a lot of options out there, maybe even better ones.”Like the person sitting right next to you.
She looks down at her fingers, absentmindedly toying with a loose thread on the blanket, letting my words settle in. She doesn’t respond to my comment; instead, she stretches her legsacross the mattress before climbing out of the bed. I guess that’s the end of our conversation.
“I better shower and get ready for bed. It’s getting late,” she finally says, as she picks up both our plates to take back to the kitchen.
Not ready for the night to end, I blurt out the first thing that comes to mind. “Stay with me tonight?”
She freezes, then slowly turns to face me. “I ... I don’t know, Heath.”
“We don’t have to do anything—just talk and sleep. I promise,” I reassure her, making a cross over my heart for emphasis.
She nibbles on the corner of her lip, lost in thought as she weighs her decision. After what feels like an eternity, she finally nods. “Only talk and sleep,” she repeats, and I give a small nod in return. “Okay, then. Give me fifteen minutes.”
A wide smile spreads across my face as she exits the room without another word. I mentally fist-pump the air, thrilled by the thought of Skylar lying beside me all night. A short time later, she returns to my room. Her hair is damp from the shower, and she’s wearing a pale blue camisole with matching cotton shorts this time. Her sexy golden legs are on full display, and I can see the outline of her pebbled nipples poking through the thin material of her top. I make a silent pray to whoever is listening that my dick behaves itself tonight.
I lie on my side, facing her, lifting the covers for her to climb in. She hesitates for a moment, but then, just seconds later, she slides in beside me. She mirrors my position, lying on her side, facing me, with one hand tucked beneath her pillow and the other resting across her stomach.
I switch off the lamp, plunging the room into complete darkness. “Are you comfortable?” I ask.
“Mmhmm . . .” she hums softly.
“Thank you for sharing your beautiful voice with me tonight. You have an incredible gift, duchess. I hope you never stop singing.”
