Just One Kiss (Very Irresistible Bachelors #2) - Layla Hagen Page 0,49

tell you it’ll include both.”

“Upping the ante, aren’t you?”

“Have to do my best. How else will I earn the right to another sleepover?”

“And when do you want to do that?”

“Tomorrow. This whole week.”

She stilled, watching me intently. All my muscles were strung tight. I cupped her face with one hand, not breaking eye contact.

“I want us to be together for more than a few hours here and there, Heather. I love being around you.”

“Yeah?” She smiled.

“Yes.”

“My semi burned roast beef won you over.”

“Love, it was burnt to a crisp.”

She poked my chest. “Not true. You said you liked it.”

I grinned. “I did like it. But... it was still burnt.”

“Lesson learned. You’re more honest after an orgasm.”

“More like I’m too spent to have any brainpower left.”

“Why did you say you liked it?”

“Because A, I did. B. You put a lot of effort into it, and I like that.”

“I might have forgotten to add water a few times. I got caught up thinking about you.”

“So it’s my fault the beef was dry?” That might have been partly to blame for the dryness, but I think sis extended the cooking time.

“Indirectly, yeah. No good deed goes unpunished, huh?” She squirmed under me. Feeling her naked body was torture. “I can try my hand at cooking it again this week.”

“So that’s a yes to us spending the week together?”

She nodded, but even though she was still smiling, I noticed a slight unease in her eyes.

“Tell me what you’re afraid of,” I urged.

“I don’t know exactly.” She swallowed, looking away. I could feel her heart beat faster. “Seeing Avery hurt, I think. Being hurt too.”

“I’d never hurt you or Avery.” I captured her gaze so she could see the sincerity in my eyes, because what I was saying was the truth. They both had become very special to me.

“I know... it’s just... the fear is there, you know? My recent track record lends to my apprehensiveness too, I suppose. But I won’t let that hold me back. I promise.”

“And I promise you that this will be amazing, Heather. What we have together is nothing like anything I’ve experienced. I’d never treat you the way your ex did. Never.”

She smiled, and I cradled her head in my hands. She closed her eyes. I kissed each of them, holding her until I felt her relax underneath me. When she kissed my jaw, her lips were curled in a smile against my skin.

“Let’s go shower,” she whispered. “Before we go from sweaty to stinky.”

I pushed myself up on an elbow, liking the levity of her comment but still leveling a mock glare at her. “I was being romantic.”

“I know. And I love it. But... being clean is also romantic.” She grinned, shrugging one shoulder before darting out of the bed. “Come on. If you don’t catch me before I get to the bathroom, I’ll shower alone.”

I chased after her, catching up right before she went inside. Curling an arm around her waist, I brought my mouth to her ear. “I’m faster.”

“I was hoping for that.”

I fondled her ass with my free hand.

Heather giggled. “Hey, why did you do that?”

“It’s my reward.”

***

“Want to spend some time on my balcony?” Heather asked after we showered and dressed.

“You have one?”

She jerked her thumb in the direction of the window. “Oh, yeah. My own personal heaven. Avery’s not allowed out there.”

She led me outside, where she’d put a table and a huge armchair. She had potted plants hanging from the ceiling and strings of lights around the railing.

We spread one of the blankets we’d brought on the armchair. I sat down first, then pointed to my lap.

“Come here. I’ll keep you warm.”

“That’s what the blankets are for.”

“Skin on skin contact works better, and you can wrap the other one around us.”

She whistled, clapping her hands once. “And you called me creative.”

“Heather. Sit. Now.”

“Yes, sir.” She waggled her eyebrows before lowering herself on me. I put an arm around her waist, keeping her back flat against me. She threw the second cover over us, tucking it in at the sides.

We had a great view of the sky here. With all the lights in the city, you couldn’t see the stars, but I simply enjoyed sharing this quiet moment with her.

I’d been so on edge when I’d arrived, still running high on the adrenaline of the day. Usually, nothing helped me come down except performing at the Northern Lights.

But being here, just holding Heather, filled me with a sense of happiness I’d never known