Page 37 of My Trainer Neighbor
"Sounds charming."
"It's three blocks from you."
Her eyes widened."You got an apartment three blocks from me."
"Yeah.And I've got enough clients lined up to cover rent for the next three months at least.Tommy's been connecting me with people.I might actually be able to make this work."
"Shawn."How she said my name, soft and wondering, made me want to hear her say it in entirely different circumstances.
"I told you I wasn't leaving.I meant it."
"But Justin—"
"Justin can have his apartment back.I'll figure out my own life."I slid my hand from her neck down her spine, feeling her arch slightly into the touch."I want to be here.With you."
"What if we're making a mistake?What if we're both just running toward each other because we're scared of being alone?"
"Are you?Running toward me because you're scared of being alone?"
She was quiet for a moment, considering the question seriously."No.I'm running toward you because you make me want to be someone different.Someone who takes risks and feels things and doesn't have her whole life mapped out in five-year increments."
"Then we're not making a mistake."I leaned down until my mouth was just inches from hers."We're just two people who are choosing each other.Even though it's messy and scary and neither of us knows what the hell we're doing."
"That's not very reassuring."
"Would you rather I lie and tell you I have it all figured out?"
"No."She smiled, and it was the first real smile I'd seen from her all week."I'm done with people who pretend to have all the answers."
"Good.Because I'm making this up as I go."I closed the distance between us, my lips brushing against hers."But I'm very good at making things up."
She laughed against my mouth, and the sound went straight to my dick."Cocky."
"You love it."
"I love you."The words came out breathless."I'm scared and confused and I have no idea if we're going to work out.But I love you, Shawn."
Hearing her say it, clearly and without hedging, made something shift in my chest."I love you too.Even though you're a mess and I'm a mess and we're both probably going to screw this up somehow."
"We can screw it up together."
"That's my girl."I kissed her properly then, deep and demanding, and felt her melt against me.A week of careful distance, of her keeping me at arm's length, had been torture.Having her in my arms again felt like everything clicking back into place.
She made a soft sound in the back of her throat and pressed closer, her hands fisting in my shirt.When I pulled back, her lips were swollen and her eyes had gone dark.
"Bedroom," I said."Now."
"Bossy."
"You love that too."
"I do."She bit her lower lip, and I nearly lost it right there."Show me how much you missed me this week."
"Baby, I'm going to show you exactly what a week without you does to a man."
I lifted her, and her legs wrapped around my waist automatically.She was already kissing my neck, my jaw, anywhere she could reach, as I carried her to the bedroom.
"I missed this," she said against my throat."I missed you."
