Page 26 of Hot Stuff
In a way, yes, but with Walker it’s more…a way to slow things down. I know he speaks the truth. He does see me. More clearly than anyone ever has.
He strokes a finger down my nose and draws me out of my head again. “You think deep. I like that. It means the things you do are genuine.”
“I’m careful.”
“I get that. It’s why you’re that way that has my curiosity screaming to dig and find out all your secrets, but I won’t. Want to know why?”
I nod.
“Because we’re going to discover everything about each other soon enough. I’ll know you inside out before we’re done. The reverse will also be true.”
I’m still nodding because I believe him—agree with him.
“You and me are going to have an amazing life.”
My throat constricts. I see the promise of his words in his eyes. Eyes that have gone completely gray, like a storm rolling in from the Gulf.
“Hey.” Both his hands cradle my face. “We’re in this together. One day at a time.”
“I’m sorry.” I sniffle. The threat of tears takes me by surprise. “I just…”
“I’m with you. It’s been an emotional twenty-four hours.” He grins up at me and I lean forward to press my mouth to his.
With our lips touching I say, “How has it been only twenty-four hours?”
“Yeah, feels like a lifetime to me too.” His grin widens before he changes the angle of my head with his hands and slants his mouth over mine.
The kiss is a sweet exploration, a slow meld of lips, stroke of tongues, mingle of breaths.
A phone rings in the other room and I pull back. “What time is it?”
He glances at the closed curtains. “I have no idea.”
Neither of us wears a watch and we left our phones in the main room of the suite after we chowed down on a midnight snack. “Those things really block shit out.”
“At a guess I’d say it’s at least seven.”
“Oh?”
“I’m usually up at six every day. Even when I can sleep in, I’m always up by seven.” He shrugs. “It feels like seven.”
“Shit!” I spring up off the bed and race for the door.
“Hey! Where are you going?”
“I’m supposed to be on a call!” I yell as I throw open the bedroom door and rush across the outer room to my phone.
Snatching it up, I see I’ve got three missed calls, a few messages, and it’s actually eight! “Double shit!”
“What? What’s wrong?”
My gaze swings to the bedroom doorway where I find a very naked Walker leaning against the frame. “Ah…”
God, he’s beautiful. All of him. Every last inch?—
“Hey! Eyes up, Oak, what’s wrong?”
“Huh?” My gaze meets his. “Oh. Right. I’ve missed the call. It’s eight, not seven, and I’m starving.” That last I add for two reasons.
