“Um, Erin. Stay exactly like that.”
“What?” She smiled at him over her shoulder.
He cleared his throat, pinched the knot on his towel, and let it fall to the floor. Her gaze followed it, then lifted back to lock with his. “I just remembered another one of my fantasies.” He ran his hand over her rounded backside and squeezed her tender flesh.
Her smile faded. A stricken look came over her. She lowered her lashes, shadowing her emotions. “I…uh…” She faltered and twisted around until she was sitting on the edge of the bed. Her feet tangled together, her hands clasping tightly.
Kale sat on the bed beside her and finger combed her hair. He slanted his head and gazed deep into her turbulent eyes. “What is it?”
Her mouth curved downward. “Not like that, okay?”
He matched her frown. “Are you sore?”
She shook her head no.
He tucked a damp strand behind her ears. “Does this position hurt you? Erin, I’d never want to do anything to hurt you.”
Her eyes softened, and he could see she appreciated his concern. “No, it’s not that.”
“Come here, babe.” He gathered her into his embrace and stroked his hands over her arms. “What is it then?”
When she didn’t answer, he pressed. “Talk to me, Erin. Tell me what’s wrong.” He wanted her to trust him, to open up to him.
“It’s silly, really.” He could tell she was uncomfortable and wanted to comfort her.
“Of course it’s not silly, Erin. If it’s important to you, then it’s important to me.”
She reached out and absentmindedly curled his wet hair through her fingers. “I was engaged a few years ago.”
His back stiffened in surprise. “Really?” His brow furrowed as a surge of jealousy tugged on his emotions. “I didn’t realize that.”
“I came home from work early one day and found my ex screwing his secretary on my bed in that same position. I guess it just brings back painful memories from my past.”
He tightened his grip around her, offering his comfort, his understanding. “Asshole,” he mumbled under his breath.
She nodded her head. “Yeah, he was. I’m glad I found out what kind of guy he was before I married him.”
He paused and considered the situation. Now he finally understood why she was so guarded. “This actually explains a lot.”
She furrowed her brow. “What do you mean?”
He touched her cheek, stroking his finger over her tender skin. She leaned into him, accepting his warmth. “There had to be a reason you felt men were good for sex and nothing more. You were hurt, Erin. That’s understandable.”
She rested her head against his chest and heaved a sigh. “You know, Kale, I was young, naïve, and in love with the idea of being in love. I had always wanted a family and jumped at the first guy who asked me to marry him. My mother pressuring me didn’t help either. I could have made the biggest mistake of my life.”
“I want you to point this asshole out to me next time you see him.”
She lifted her head and met his glance. “You do?”
“Yeah, after I punch him in the mouth, I’d like to thank him.”
“Thank him?”
“Thank him for being an asshole because if he wasn’t, then I would have missed out on this.” Cupping her chin, he lifted her mouth to his and brushed his lips over hers for a warm, tender kiss.
She smiled and put her hand over his as it caressed her face.
Kale inched back. “Why are you smiling?”
“I’m going to thank him too.”
Kale’s heart turned over in his chest. “Let’s lie down.” He eased her back until she was nestled against her pillow. He snuggled in beside her and held her close. She wiggled in his arms, trying to get closer. A comfortable silence fell over them as they held on to each other for a long, quiet moment. Her breathing deepened, and he sensed she was on the brink of sleep.
Kale pulled the blankets over them. “Let’s get some rest, sweetheart,” he whispered.
“Kale?” Her voice was feathery soft, drowsy.
“Yeah?”
“When do you leave?”
“In a month.”
“Okay.”
“I might stay longer, though.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
“Why?”
“I like my job here.” He kissed her forehead and pulled her impossibly closer. “With the right incentive, I’d like to make my stay permanent.”
Many hours later Erin awoke. She peeled her eyes open and glanced at the window. The winter sun, low on the horizon, began its early morning ascent and glistened on the windowpane. She blinked and twisted sideways to see the clock. It was still very early. Fortunately, they didn’t have to be at work for hours. That would give her plenty of time to pull together the plan she’d gone over a hundred times in her mind before she drifted off to sleep last night.
Kale was sound asleep, snoring lightly beside her. She gazed at the light dusting of stubble shadowing his jaw and admitted to herself how much he’d come to mean to her and how much she loved him. So much for her plan to have casual sex and not fall for him. She had been crazy to think she could separate herself from her emotions. Kale’s tender touch had penetrated her defenses. Not to mention the thoughtful way he treated her.
When he smiled in his sleep, emotions so powerful that they left her shaken coursed through her body. Warmth settled in her stomach. Honestly, how could she not fall in love with a guy who put her feelings, career, and well-being first? A guy whose lovemaking was so full of warmth, emotion, and tenderness? A loyal, responsible guy who loved and cared for his
