Page 25 of Let it Breathe
When I didn't answer, he turned and walked toward the door. When it opened, I sprung into action. I snaked around him and closed the door with my back. That wasn't it. This wasn't about my families business. I didn't care about my family’s business. I didn't want him to leave thinking I used him. I didn't want it to end like this. I didn't want it to end.
"You're right."
He stepped back.
"No, not about me sleeping with you for your money. I did not do that. I don't care about your money." He narrowed his eyes. "Well, personally, I don't care about your money. For the vineyard, I would love you to invest. If you don't, that's fine, but I think I like you."
"You think you like me."
"I slept with you that first night because it was so far out of my character. I just wanted to do something crazy for once. Do something to forget about my problems, my family, the vineyard." At least the scowl left his face. "I've been dealing with this for so long."
I blinked away tears.
"I asked you that night if you were tired of it. I'm tired too. I'm exhausted from my life. I didn’t want to think about it for one night. Is that wrong?" I asked.
"No. It's not." He smirked and reached for me and took my hand. I watched our hands swing between us and then smiled.
"And if I remember the sequence of events correctly, you offered to invest in my business. I didn't ask. What was your motive? This wasn't all me."
"Okay, maybe I thought it was a good excuse to get to know you. You didn't seem to want to get to know me otherwise."
"You didn't ask."
His eyes grew wide.
"You're the one who snuck out of my room in the middle of the night." He held his hands up. "What was I supposed to think?"
"Jesus, Donovan. I know sleeping with you is like the Holy Grail for some women, but it wasn’t my finest moment."
"Damn, you really know how to flatter a guy."
"I didn't mean it like that." I shook my head and lowered it. "I'm sorry if I made you feel like a cash register ... with an amazing chest." I squeezed his pecks, and he flexed in my hand.
"Well, I'm sorry I turned you into a slut ... with a great ass."
We both cracked up. I stepped closer and wrapped my arms around his waist. He held me close as he rubbed my back.
"Holy Grail, huh?" he asked.
I slapped him on his perfect ass.
"Oh, and by the way, my ass is priceless, sir," I said. He smacked mine back. We held each other for a minute. "Wow, we sure do act like we’re together. That was our first fight."
I rested my head on his chest.
"I guess so. Well, you know what proper couples do after a fight?" he asked, and I shrugged. "Make-up sex." He rubbed my head. "How's your head?"
"Better." He leaned in, but I ducked out of the way. "Gross, no. Don't kiss me. My mouth feels disgusting."
"Well, get that five hundred thousand dollar ass upstairs and brush them. I'll give you a head start, but when I catch you, you're mine."
"That's not exactly fair. You run the forty in what, under six seconds." I patted his chest.
"Five seconds, but who's counting?"
I pushed off and ran up the stairs, and he followed seconds later.
He stripped as I brushed my teeth. I watched him in the mirror as he turned on my shower and let the water wash over him. I joined him under the spray, and we proceeded to do what proper couples do.
