Page 55 of Knot Forgotten

“Second floor, right off the elevator.” Another snap of her gum and she is handing my cards back and the room key over the counter.

“Thanks,” I say, completely unbothered by her lack of customer service.

Rin breaks into a giggle as soon as the elevator doors shut behind us, and I lift an eyebrow. “That lady was miserable.”

“I think I would be, too, if checking people into a hotel ends up being my job.”

“Yeah, same.” She lifts her backpack up a little further on her shoulders.

As the elevator dings open, nerves explode in my stomach. Shit. Was that talk on the drive here a suggestion that we–? Assuming would be terrible. By the time we reach our room, down the long, quiet hallway, the last door on the right, I’ve analyzed the conversation in my head at least a dozen times. I’m no closer to deciding.

Sliding the card into the door, I unlock the room and push into it. A soft, unassuming scent fills the space. A bathroom on the left and a closet on the right, with a small sink with a mirror above it right next to it. The room is simple, with two queen beds, a small nightstand between them, a dresser, a small table with two chairs, and a TV.

Rin drops her bag on the dresser and eyes the beds, but doesn’t give me any idea what she is thinking. The silence is so loud I miss the words she says.

“What?” I croak before clearing my throat and focusing on her.

“Which bed?”

I’m not sure if it is disappointment or relief that she is asking which bed I want. I perch on the edge of the one closest to the door, patting it.

“This one is good.” I bounce a little, and her lips twist into a smile she attempts to hide. It helps steady my nerves and puts us back into that flirty space instead of the nervous one.

“Nice bounce?” she asks, a laugh held back but lacing her words.

“Might not get too much air as adults, but we would have loved it as kids,” I say. Remembering the absolute disaster we created in Cam’s room when we were little, but the floor is lava is a serious game, and none of us were going to die by touching the ground.

“I don’t know why his parents didn’t murder us. We were little shits,” she says, her thoughts going to the same place mine had. She sits on the bed, pulling her legs up criss-cross, and facing me. We are inches apart, and the tension rises again.

No one tells you that being alone with the girl you want in a hotel room, in a random city far from home, makes you think about things you’ve kept at bay. I swallow, pushing them back.

“We were pretty bad,” I admit, trying to find the conversation thread after taking a nose dive straight into full on lust.

The corner of her mouth lifts. “Do we really want to talk about the past right now?” She brings her eyes to mine, her teeth sinking into her lower lip. “We’re alone. Far from home.”

I pop off the bed and pace over to the window, looking out at the dark sky. The darkness is broken up by tall signs off the freeway advertising food and hotels. I inhale a steadying breath.

“Rinny, I don’t want to take advantage of you.” I release the window seal and turn around.

My eyes widen as I catch sight of her. Her leggings are on the floor at her feet, her lacy panties from the first day I knocked into her next to them. A swallow works my dry throat as my eyes travel up her bare legs. Her fingers curl around the hem of her shirt, and she pulls it up and over her head in a smooth motion that leaves me breathless.

“Erin–” I whisper, frozen to the spot as if my feet are cemented in place.

“Don’t make me beg, Matt.”

CHAPTER 29

Erin

My stomach flips over as his eyes travel slowly up my legs. Lust flares to life in his eyes, and I curl my fingers into the bottom of my shirt. I’m doing this. We are doing this. I’ve been on edge from the touches and kisses for longer than I can handle. I’m pretty sure my brain is short circuiting.

This trip is the perfect opportunity to take another step forward. I pull the shirt over my head, dropping it on top of my leggings. I’m naked except for my basic bra and socks. Thankfully, the clip is in front. My fingers go to the clasp, and I lift my eyes to his.

“Erin–” he whispers, his restraint almost gone. I can see it as I push him just a little further.

“Don’t make me beg, Matt,” I say at the same time I release the clasp, allowing my breasts free.

My nipples stand at attention in the cool room, and I run my hands up over my wide hips, soft stomach, and full breasts before he lets loose a growl low in his throat that has slick coating my inner thighs.

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