Page 64 of Only You

I pulled my dress on and followed him out to the balcony. Donovan put some music on his phone and took me in his arms the way he had a few nights earlier, holding me close against his body as we began to sway in a slow dance.

“I haven’t met a lot of guys who want to dance with a womanafterthey’ve slept together,” I said.

He tilted my chin up. “I’m not like most guys.”

I can see that, I thought as we danced in front of the silent, still city.

30

Molly

The Day After

For a few minutes after I woke up, I forgot everything that had happened. I blinked at the bright light streaming through the window. I had slept in.

Then I felt the body next to me.

Wehad slept in.

All the events from last night came back to me in a rush. The Colosseum, the police, the sizzling sex in my hotel room, and then dancing on the balcony. I didn’t remember coming to bed after that.

Yet here Donovan was, asleep in bed next to me.

I gently rolled over to face him. He was on his side facing me, but his eyes were closed. A few strands of his dark hair had fallen across his face. His leg was perfect and warm against mine.

I can’t believe we did that last night.

I watched Donovan sleep for awhile, his body rising and falling with every breath. I studied his face: the strong nose, Mediterranean skin, and black eyebrows. The thin beard that covered his cheeks and jaw. I had been looking at him for over a week now, but never from this close. It was like zooming in on a map and suddenly seeing beautiful new features.

I couldn’t get over how sexy he was. I could stare at him for hours.

What was someone supposed to do in a situation like this? Did we act like we were together, with cuddles and kisses and—dare I say it—morning sex? Iwantedto cuddle and kiss him, but I was afraid our passionate behavior was limited to the evening.

I didn’t know how to act.

Suddenly his eyes blinked open, unfocused for a moment before locking onto me. He smiled.

“Watching me sleep?” he asked, voice thick with sleep. “Kinda creepy, Feisty.”

“I just woke up,” I whispered back.

“What time is it?”

“Ten.”

“Wow,” he said. “Been a long time since I’ve slept this late. But waking up next to you, I can see why.”

He leaned over and kissed me, which answered my question about how we should act. I kissed him back and then said, “I probably have morning breath.”

“You totally do,” he replied, “but I don’t care.”

He grinned and pulled me into a longer kiss. I laughed and forgot all about what my breath smelled like.

There was a sound outside in the hallway. Footsteps. Both of us froze in bed and listened as something bulky was dropped on the ground, then another item. The footsteps disappeared and we heard thedingof the elevator.

Donovan tip-toed to the door, peeked outside, then brought my box of daily supplies inside. “He delivered them early. Usually it’s in the afternoon. Huh, there’s a letter with it today.” He glanced at me. “It’s signed by the concierge of the Residencia Al Gladiatore hotel.”

“What’s it say? Maybe we can go home!”

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