Page 24 of When Sinners Rise
I climb back into bed, wrap the covers around me, and sip the deep red wine. It’s thick and coats the glass but tastes a little bitter, so I only take another small sip before standing it on the bedside table.
“Good?” Shaw asks as he joins me.
“I’m sure if I liked wine, it would be delicious.” He snuggles down next to me and rolls toward me as I mimic his move.
“You’re beautiful like this. Natural, a little messed up”–he runs his fingers up to my hair–“let me take care of you tonight.”
“I thought you already did.” It’s my turn to grin and smile at him. I felt open and nervous to let him go down on me, but he seemed to enjoy it just as I did.
He didn’t stop there, though. I think he drugged me with pleasure to the point I was desperate for him inside of me. Something else he obliged with devastating ease.
“Well, I meant more than just making you come, but don’t worry. There’s more of that available.”
He captures my face in his hand and pulls me toward him. My lips part in anticipation, and a fizzle of energy strikes through me, but he doesn’t follow through. He pauses, just out of reach, teasing me, but only for a couple of seconds. Closing the distance, he indulges me with a kiss that’s deep and full of promise. His tongue has the same bitter edge as the wine, but I like it on him.
“Mmm.” He stops. “Enough of that, or we’ll never eat.”
“You started it,” I protest, but my stomach rumbles embarrassingly, emphasising his point. He looks at me, and I burst into laughter. I sit up and roll towards the wine, feeling like giving it another go. It still has a bitter tang, but it’s smoother than the first few sips.
Shaw leans back, grabs his phone and starts tapping the screen. “What do you want?”
“Um, I’m fine with plain pizza, thanks.”
“Great. Two pizzas it is because it should be ordered with the works, not plain. You need an education. We can deliver to the desk downstairs, right?”
“Sure. They’ll phone it up, no problem.” I lie back and burrow myself around the sheets, feeling oddly good. Maybe it’s the endorphins from the sex?
This must be the longest time I’ve spent with someone other than Landon or Willow. It’s been hours with only us, and that’s not something I do. Not even with the friends I do have.
The call from the concierge desk downstairs eventually rings, and I move to unpeel myself from the sheets.
“No. I’ve got it. You stay there. I don’t want you getting dressed. There’s zero need for clothes on you.”
“I’m not eating food naked.”
“Why not?” His grin is ridiculous as he pulls on his trousers and buttons his shirt. “Can I get back up without you? Do I need a card to work the elevator?”
“There’s a code for the lift. Zero one zero five. We can eat in the other room.”
“You’re not moving from the bed, Miri. I’ve got you there. Stay.”
He leaves, half dressed, to collect the food, and as soon as I see him disappear down the stairs, I collapse back onto the sheets. My eyes stare up at the ceiling as I run over everything that’s happening. If this was a year ago, there’d be no questions or doubts or second guesses. I’d accept the date, drink the wine and give my number to a guy.
This is the first time I’ve ever felt like the old me, but the kicker is I want to share it with Naja. I push the bite of pain aside, determined to have today for me.
A few minutes later, Shaw returns, two boxes balanced on one hand and the bottle of wine in the other. “Food and more booze.”
“Smells great.”
~
“Is this how you seduce all the girls? Play hard to get, go for a coffee and then ply them with cheesy carbs until they can’t move?” I throw the crust of the slice back into the box.
“Certainly isn't the usual move, but you’re not usual either.” He picks up another slice and shoves it into his mouth. “I thought New York had pretty good pizza, but this place is just as good.”
“You travel a lot for work?”
“A bit. Across America. Here. A little of Europe. You?” He keeps his eyes on the pizza.
