Page 35 of Found By You

Without thinking, I lay a gentle hand over it. The mound is firmer than I thought it’d be. Sweet and small under my large, rough palm.

Hey, there…

Maci stirs and I yank my hand back. She rolls away from me to rest on her side and I use the movement to get up. I cover her once more, then tip-toe to the bathroom to clean myself from last night. My cock stirs when I realize I can still taste her on my lips.

I get dressed and check my phone to a few missed calls—no doubt work-related on a damn Sunday. I glance at the bed and watch her sleep for a long moment, torn with leaving when my phone rings for the third time.

I send her a text to let her know where I’ll be and to message me when she wakes up. Her phone lights up on the nightstand. Satisfied, I tug my boots and coat on, then slip out the door to take my leave.

My very reluctant leave.

Eleven.

Maci

I roll over with a stretch, expecting to feel a hard chest beside me, but my hand hits cold, empty sheets. Did he leave? I strain to listen if he might be in the bathroom, but I don’t hear any movement. Sighing, I reach for my phone.

It’s just after nine, and I have an unopened text from three hours ago.

Duke: Good morning, beautiful. I’ve got some work stuff to take care of this morning. Shoot me a text when you wake up. xo

I smile, loving his cliché start to the message and the little ‘xo’ at the end. My joy, however, is cut short by a wave of nausea as I sit up. Ugh. Good morning to you, too, little one.

It’s a slow start getting ready for the day—staying close to the bathroom in case morning sickness decides to take over two days in a row. I manage to put on a pair of jeans and a low-cut, white long-sleeve. I tug Duke’s hoodie over my head for the third day in a row and flip my hair out around me. His strong, masculine scent wafts with the action, and I can’t help the smile that comes to my lips remembering last night.

Last night was…passionate. I’ve never felt so connected to someone. So lost in them in the moment. The way that man kissed me… It was like nothing I’ve experienced. And how he held me after? I hum in bliss just recalling his warm, hard chest under me. The way his arms locked around me, keeping me in place.

I truly felt like he never wanted to let me go.

I wonder if he’d be interested in doing it again? I mean, I did say ‘no strings attached.’ I didn’t say ‘one time only.’

Deciding I need to get out of this stuffy motel room for some much-needed carbs for breakfast—on top of buckling down to plan out my next move—I tug on my boots.

Look for a car? A bus ticket to Alaska?

Or maybe…a job and apartment?

Here?

I stuff my laptop cord inside the pocket of Duke’s hoodie and pull over my coat. I grab my purse, phone, and laptop, and head toward the coffee shop we went to yesterday, with a plan in mind.

It’s a little colder today. The crunch of icy snow beneath my boots is loud, and the crisp December air fills my lungs. It’s refreshing. Although, I can hear Duke now, complaining about me walking. I smile. The very thought of him sends heat to my still-aching core.

I arrive ten minutes later at the quaintest little brick coffee house at the center of town: Cup O’ Joe. I open the door with a classic chime of a bell above me to announce my arrival.

“Maci,” a vaguely familiar voice calls.

I lift my gaze to behind the counter. “Hey, Alison,” I say, walking toward her. It’s not as crowded as yesterday. A few tables full at the most. “You work here?”

“Oh, yeah, worked here for over two years now.” She points over my shoulder. “So does Cassidy, but she’s having a rough morning.”

I thought I recognized her last night, but I’ve never been good with faces. I turn in her direction to find Cassidy wearing a matching apron and work shirt, sitting at the table by the window with her head in her hands. I know that look. Heck, I just experienced it.

Cassidy lifts her head. “Hey, Maci,” she greets weakly.

“Nauseous?” I ask, and she nods. “Same. I’m here for carbs. Did you eat yet?”

She stands slowly, walking toward me. “I tried, but I got a whiff of the egg from the breakfast sandwiches and nearly vomited on a customer,” she tells me, and I bite back a laugh at the visual. “I don’t know if I have it in me today, Alison.”

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