long strides, Orlando was right in front of her, cupping her face in his hands and kissing her, feeling like an idiot. “I heard something out of context obviously, about being with Ted. I just—” He pecked her several times. “I wasn’t sure what to think.”
She let him kiss her without commenting for a few more seconds before responding to his lame explanation as to why he’d so easily jumped to such a conclusion. “I, uh . . . told her you were looking for a spare charger for me. She asked about my spare charger, the one I’d used when I stayed over at Ted’s.”
“Doesn’t matter.” Orlando pecked her before she went on. The last thing he wanted to hear about was her spending the night at Ted’s. “You don’t have to explain. I’m an idiot for even going there.”
As stupid as he did feel for having gone there, at least now she knew how he’d feel if she ever did. Without having to say it, he’d just made at least that much clear. Now he’d make another thing clear. As his kissing her got deeper, he concentrated on how terrifying it was that he was feeling this much for her already, not his already hardening dick. He wanted to convey to her without saying it that what happened today wasn’t just them giving into their lust for one another. At least it wasn’t for him. As hard and fast as they’d gone at it earlier in the kitchen, Orlando had every intention of making long passionate love to her the rest of the night. Only he made sure to have the box of condoms on the nightstand.
Chapter 21
Danica
The moment Danica opened her dreary eyes and realized where she was and then remembered all that had happened the night before, she was inundated with a mixture of emotions. Fear and regret were the heaviest, but her instantly fluttering heart was proof that excitement was right up there as well. Rotating her body around slowly so she could face Orlando without waking him was a challenge, given how closely he held her. But she managed to, smiling when she remembered why and how Orlando could be sleeping so soundly still. After their lustful sessions in the kitchen and shower, their time in bed had been far more drawn out, and they’d been up well into the wee hours of the morning. Staring at his sleeping face, she took in all his gorgeous features. She wasn’t just biased either. Since day one she’d thought him perfect. Not pretty like Nine, but still all his features were so well-defined and flawless she could stare at him for hours and not get enough. Running her fingers through his hair, she smiled when she saw him smile, despite his still closed eyes. “You awake?” she whispered.
He nodded but still didn’t open his eyes. “I was trying not to wake from my dream.” The heavy lashes lifted as his eyes opened. “But then you touched me, and I realized my reality is even better than what I’d been dreaming.”
Danica breathed in deeply and smiled bigger. “What were you dreaming?”
“It was a repeat of last night.” He smiled as he stared into her eyes. “I guess my mind was playing tricks on me, and I couldn’t figure it out—I was still trying to wrap my head around the idea of this—whether last night really happened or if I was just being delusional.”
Running her hand over his forehead, Danica touched the scar at his hairline. She’d never noticed it until last night, since she’d never allowed herself to examine him that closely. That and the beanie covered it most of the time. “How’d you get this?”
“Being bad.”
She peered at him, not understanding. “Bad?”
“Yeah, you’re not the only one with a past, Dani. I told you I ran with the wrong crowd for a long time when I was younger. Still do sort of.” He chuckled, wrapping his arms around her tighter then kissed her neck before coming back up to face her again. “Nine and Beast were part of that crowd, but we’ve all grown up and away from all the shit we were once into.”
Danica raised a brow curious now. “What kind of shit were you into?”
“Some pretty bad and stupid shit.” Her expression must’ve been as surprised as this made her feel because it had him clearing his throat and he went on quickly. “That was a long time ago, Dani. I haven’t been into