Page 92 of Mark my Words

“I hate you.”

“Pretty sure you don’t, but whatever you need to tell yourself,” I winked as the elevator stopped and I stepped out, leading the way to the room she was being forced to share with me. Things were bound to be interesting over the next few days. She could play hot and cold all she wanted, but I knew it was only a matter of time before she caved and came begging. I might get kneed in the nuts first, but I was betting on her kissing me before we left Denver.

Kristine was cranky, to say the least, the full day we were in Denver, refusing to talk to me any more than was necessary, insulting me when she did, and remaining silent at night once we settled back into our room. But cold showers weren’t necessary because the glares she aimed in my direction were enough to shrivel any reactions I may have had to her. It was clear that I’d hurt her feelings the last night in Chicago. But I wasn’t backing down.

I’d taken the chance and initiated everything between us. It was time for her to make the first move. I wasn’t kissing her and making it easy. Especially not now that she was throwing a hissy fit that I’d left the ball in her court and she’d hesitated. She could have easily come to me, but she chose to pout.

“Do you need the bathroom?” I asked as I dropped my messenger bag to my mattress, breaking the tense silence.

“Well, I need to brush my teeth, but I guess you can go first as long as you’re not going to take a dump or whack off in there.”

“Wow,” I laughed, moving over to my suitcase and pulling out my flannel pajama pants. “I was going to remove my contacts, brush my teeth and change quickly, although your suggestions sound so appealing.”

“Don’t pretend you haven’t done both in there before.”

“Yes,” I teased as I headed toward the door, leaning against the frame as I watched her start to pull out her pajamas. “You caught me. Knowing you’re out here listening, how will I ever resist whacking off in here? Should I leave the door open so you can watch this time?”

“Oh, go frick yourself.”

“Yes? No? Just leave it open a crack so you can pretend you aren’t peeking?”

She turned and glared at me, throwing her pillow in my direction before I disappeared behind the door with a laugh.

Unable to resist her ire, I fake moaned while brushing my teeth, almost spitting my toothpaste all over the counter when I heard a loud thump against the door. It appeared my humor was not appreciated.

“It’s all yours.” I gestured dramatically toward the bathroom as I sat on the edge of my bed. “Don’t worry. I kept the penis touching to a minimum.”

“You’re so hilarious,” she said, rolling her eyes as she glared at me on her way across the room.

“Why, thank you,” I chuckled as I scooted back, pulling my comforter over my lap as I lay down.

Her eyes were on me as she stood in the open door, widening as she watched me pull my shirt off and lean back against my pillows.

The door slammed shut, and I found myself laughing. She’d crack eventually. She couldn’t stay mad at me forever.

As it turned out, she lasted approximately four hours.

A quiet moan awakened me a few hours later, the room dark, the faint glow of the clock on the nightstand separating our beds the only thing I could make out. 2:07 am barely visible as I squinted to read the numbers.

Fingers twitched against my bare stomach as warm breath fanned across my shoulder. Kristine—well, I assumed it was her—was under the covers of my bed, her head resting on the pillow next to mine, her lips pressed against my shoulder as she lay with her arm draped across my torso. One of her legs was thrown over mine, her body half lying across me.

So much for not wanting anything to do with me.

I reached up, slowly pushing the hair away from her face as I tried to make out her features in the dark. Her dark lashes fanned against her fair cheeks, her face more relaxed than I’d seen it in weeks.

Turning slowly, as not to wake her, I carefully pulled her closer, tucking her against my chest as I ran my fingers through her soft hair, closing my eyes.

I was sure she’d freak out in the morning, but I’d enjoy the nocturnal snuggles while I could.

When I woke up a few hours later, she was already gone, the bathroom dark, and her laptop case missing. Part of me wondered if I’d dreamed her climbing into bed with me, but the lingering scent of her shampoo and the warm travel cup of coffee she’d left on the nightstand beside the bed indicated otherwise.

“I don’t understand why we have to do this,” she sighed as she closed her laptop and shoved it into her bag. “I have things I need to work on, and going out to some stupid brewery tour isn’t on my list of things I’d like to do right now.”

Not wanting to break our temporary truce, I didn’t say anything to Kristine about our sleeping arrangement the previous night, working quietly with her on the last morning of the tour in Denver. We’d packed up everything early, ready to head to Seattle, but this afternoon we were scheduled to tour some local breweries with Chase and Evan.

“Adrian is trying to make up for the room situation. I think you can afford to relax for a few hours. It might be good for you.”

“Relaxing for a few hours is why I’m behind. If you hadn’t noticed, we’ve been a little busy during the day, and you monopolized my only day of freedom.”

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