Pulling me close, he lifted me up and gently placed me into the tub.
When the bubbles reached my breasts, he lit a few candles around the ledge and poured me a glass of wine.
“I’m going to let you relax for a while, and I’ll take a shower upstairs,” he said, bending low and pressing a long, deep kiss against my lips. “Take your time. I’ll be on the deck whenever you’re done.”
I nodded, and slid under the bubbles once he left the room.
THIRTEEN & a HALF Christina
By the time that I woke up from soaking in the tub, the large clock on the wall claimed that two hours had passed by, and the water was lukewarm.
Stepping out, I slipped into one of the robes he bought for me and walked through a few of the massive rooms. I took my time admiring the stunning view of the forest and stepped onto the landing of the outdoor living room.
Dane was sitting on a lounge chair, wearing only grey sweatpants—his abs on full display.
Smiling, I tied my robe a bit tighter and moved into his lap.
“Hey...” His lips curved into a smile. “Feeling better?”
“A lot better,” I said. “Since you claim that you want to talk tonight, what’s up for discussion first?”
“There’s only a ‘first’ because there’s only one thing.” A slow smile spread across his lips. “I’d like you to delete your Tinder account. Now.”
“Fine,” I said. “I’d like you to stop going on blind dates.”
“More than fine.” He looked into my eyes. “I’d like you to stay here for the rest of the week, and we’ll get your bags from the hotel hours before takeoff. I’d also like to fly you out of Charlotte to see me repeatedly, so we can do this as much as we like.”
“I’d like—” I paused. “I don’t do friends with benefits, Dane,” I said. “Like, I know you’ve done exclusive friends with benefits, before but I can’t do that. You know that from my letters, and if this is going to change from what we had to casual sex here or there—”
“I don’t recall mentioning that as an option.” He interrupted me, cupping my face in his hands. “I still plan to write you letters on the app, since it’s become quite a habit and you live out of state. But I also think that we should move to phone calls and texting, agree?”
I said nothing. I didn’t think that he fully understood what I really wanted him to say. What I needed him to say.
“I’ve never really liked the term ‘boyfriend,’ Christina,” he said, tilting my chin up with his fingertips. “I prefer saying that you’re now mine, I’m yours, and the two of us can go from there. I know that’s what you prefer to hear, isn’t it?”
“No.” I blushed.
“Yes, it is.” He kissed me so long and hard that my toes curled. “I’m willing to make this work if you are.”
I nodded, catching my breath as he slowly pulled away. “I am, but at some point, we’ll have to tell my dad. I’m not sure if he’ll—”
“Stop.” He pressed a finger against my lips. “I’ll handle it.”
“When?”
“After we’ve spent the rest of the week together,” he said, gently running his fingers through my curls. “Until then, though…” He gently pushed me down against his chest. “I noticed that you wrote a new blog post about an upcoming book while you were dodging me earlier. What exactly is The Surprise Cock Pic going to be about?”
FOURTEEN Christina
Text message from Daniella: Soooo, I haven’t heard from you since you landed in Spokane! Any updates?
Text message from Daniella: WTF is going on with you and the Words & Letters guy? Is he hot?
Text message from Daniella: Is he a kidnapper? Does he have you trapped in a basement somewhere? I’m starting to get worried. *sad face emoji* *sad face emoji sad face emoji*
Text message from Daniella: ARE YOU ALIVE?! Did he take you? DO. I. NEED. TO. CALL. THE. POLICE?
Text message from Me: Hey there, sorry! He’s been keeping me really busy in all the best ways, with the. Best. Sex. I’ve. Ever. Had! Can’t wait to tell you about it when I get home! (I came four times last night!)
Text message from Me: Oh, and we just got done kayaking on his lake. (He owns more than one!) And he fucked me in his private vineyard this morning, and took me on a shopping spree since we’re so far from my hotel. The stories I have to tell you… But um, long story short: He’s sexy as hell, and everything that I thought he would be & more. I really like him, Daniella. I can’t see myself dating anyone else. Ever.
Text message from Daniella: Seriously? Two texts, some sexy tidbits and a few ‘Ohhh I like him a lot’ sentences? That’s all I get for not hearing from you for FIVE DAYS? What type of BFF nonsense is this?!
Text message from Daniella: I’m kidding. Glad to know you’re alive and getting fucked, finally. (Can I get his full legal name at least, so I can look him up on LinkedIn or Facebook?)
Text message from Me: His name is Dane Holland.
Text message from Daniella: So, um. There’s only one Dane Holland in Spokane, WA popping up for me via LinkedIn. It’s the same guy who shows up in a few FB pictures.
Text message from Daniella: All of the FB pictures are a few years old and they all feature your dad and his wife. They also have “The lady, the guy, and the guy’s best friend” captions. Am I looking at the correct Dane Holland? Did you misspell his name?
Text message from Me: No, that’s him. Dane is Ryan.
Text message from Daniella: Call me right the fuck now.
FIFTEEN Dane
I opened the door for Christina, waiting for her to step inside one
