Page 64 of Unbelievable You

“You are a confident woman, Stace,” she said.

“I go after what I want,” I said, stroking her cheek.

She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth and shook her head slowly.

“You’re going to be very disappointed.”

I smiled again. “Oh, I don’t think that I am.”

Chapter Fifteen

Hunter

I was still shaky when I got back to my apartment after I got dropped off. It was so silly to pay for a ride when I could have driven, but Stace had been insistent. I sent her a message that I was home safe and then turned off my notifications.

It was late and I was tired, but I was also hungry again.

There was cookie dough in my freezer, so I preheated the oven and got out my cookie pan. My apartment felt too big and quiet, so I put on some music and tried to process everything that had happened.

Not only had Stace and I kissed, but she’d told me that she wouldn’t fuck me, but that she would seduce me and that she basically wanted me to fall in love with her. No, she hadn’t said that last part in so many words, but that had been the implication. She hadn’t seemed defeated at all when I told her it wasn’t going to happen. That if it came between choosing to start a relationship and choosing the life I had now, that I had built myself, I was going to choose me. No way was I sacrificing myself for someone else when I could get left with a busted heart anyway. It was like gambling in Vegas thinking you could outwit the casino. Could you? Sure. Was it likely? Not at all.

I didn’t gamble with money, and I sure wasn’t gambling with my heart and my future. Plus, think about how much money I could save on not having a wedding. Down the road I might want to have a baby. Maybe. I’d have to have two, though. So they’d have some company and could gang up on me when I had to be strict with them. As much as I didn’t know what kind of mother I’d make, I knew what kind I would never be.

Things would really come to a head with my parents if grandchildren were going to be in the picture. I’d have to make some serious decisions about how much I wanted them in my life. But that was far, far down the line. When I had plenty of money to give them the best. Not a mansion and a nanny who saw them more than their parents, but a house with a yard. A swing set. Summer camp. Pool parties and trips to theme parks and college funds with no strings. If they wanted to use that money for something else, they could.

Why was I thinking about kids all of a sudden? The oven went off so I put the cookies in to bake and took a super-fast shower before putting on my pajamas. The ones I’d worn when Stace had come over were in the hamper.

What a strange night that had been. I couldn’t have predicted that she’d literally tuck me into bed and read me a story. It was a Jane Austen novel, but still. All of it had been so unexpected, but I hadn’t hated it.

No, I’d slept so well that when I woke up I actually smiled. I hadn’t felt that good and ready to take on the day in a long time. I was strict about my sleep schedule, but something about the combination of the tea, the snack, and Stace’s voice steadily narrating one of my favorite books was better than an edible combined with melatonin.

On the other hand, when she’d kissed me? That had been the exact opposite. So very opposite.

I touched my mouth, still remembering the demanding way she’d kissed me. As if she was asking a question and anticipated my answer.

No one had kissed me like they needed me more than oxygen in a long, long time. Maybe ever. Kissing had always been nice, but it was usually a pit stop on the way to other things. Given the choice between having someone’s mouth on my lips or my pussy, I would choose the latter every time. If Stace could tear me apart so effectively with just a kiss, what could she do to the rest of my body? I was almost scared to think about it.

If only she could let us be casual. I’d be perfectly fine doing that with her. No expectations. Not owing each other anything.

I needed to go to bed and stop thinking about her. Instead, I shoved a cookie in my mouth and picked up my phone.

Heading to bed, but glad you’re home. Well, not really. I wish you were here. I wish I was tucking you in my bed and watching until you fell asleep on my pillow next to me. Sweet dreams, princess.

Jesus fuck, she didn’t give up, did she?

I was making breakfast for myself the next morning when Reid sent me a message asking if I wanted to go on a walk with her. Not a hike. I could handle a walk. She had to be exhausted from her shift last night, but she said she wanted to get out in the fresh air away from the city. I wanted to tell her that the city had an absolutely gorgeous park that had lots of fresh air, but I didn’t. She said she’d pick me up and we’d head to one of her favorite nature trails. To sweeten the deal, she promised we could get coffee on the way.

Sold I responded.

Reid picked me up an hour later.

“No Cade?”

“No, she’s at some book thing with Eloise this weekend. They went to see her agent in New York or something.” Right, I’d seen that in the group chat. No doubt we’d shortly be inundated with pictures of everything they were doing.

Reid sighed and adjusted the air.

“How’s work been?”

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