Page 10 of Exposed

She lifts one shoulder, and it touches the tips of her hair. “It’s temporary. I’ll get things sorted out.”

“I have no doubt you will, Pepper.”

“Have you ever wanted to live somewhere else?” She smooths her hand over the sheet laying over her lap.

“I’ve thought about Colorado. My friend Hope lives there, and she’s found a great support system. I’m sure I could find work in Denver,” I answer.

“Colorado, huh? I’ve never been there. I’d love to see the mountains,” she gives me a wistful smile.

“Took a trip out there and photographed Hope and Noah’s wedding about six months ago. Noah, their friend Deacon and I went hiking and camping for Noah’s bachelor party. It’s a cool place.”

We’re both sitting up in my bed, but I bet she’d be more comfortable laying down. “If you haven’t been in a bed for a while, want to lie down?”

She grins at me, then moans with pleasure when her back hits the mattress. “Oh gosh, I forgot how good this feels.”

My dick is jealous of how she’s reacting to my bed. I want her responding to me that way.

I could make you feel even better.I stop myself from saying it out loud, because now is not the time.

Plus,I have to admit, I’m enjoying her company. When you’ve been alone for a long time, it’s soothing to have someone beside you.

“I invited you to sleep with me, but I didn’t mean I just want sex with you,” I assure her. Laying on my side to face her, I bunch my pillow up to be more comfortable. “I want you next to me.”

Maybe that was too open. My confession makes me feel more exposed than if I’d pulled out my cock and asked herto ride it. Seriously, though, I miss having someone to hold at night. It’s been years.

“That’s sweet of you to say.” She yawns, and it’s the cutest. Her nose crinkles, and she uses her dainty hand to cover her mouth.

I love her wrists. Call me weird, but I’ve got a thing for women’s wrists. They’re elegant and beautiful.

Before I can stop myself, I circle her wrist with my fingers and rub my thumb over the inside of the delicate skin there. Her pulse picks up where my thumb is.

Her eyes jump to where I’m touching her, then she looks at me with her incredible green eyes.

“What are you doing?” She asks, and I clear my throat as I pull my hand away.

I need to slow down, but my willpower is weak around her. “Couldn’t resist touching you. I’ll keep my hands to myself, sorry. Your eyes are striking, by the way. Is that your natural color?” I ask.

Her eyes widen and her mouth drops open like she’s totally thrown off.

“Um. Why would you ask that?”

Because I can’t take my eyes off of you. “Trying to figure out if that’s your real color,” I shrug to play it off.

She looks at Shani, then back at me.

“They’re color contacts,” she murmurs.

“Wanna take them out? I’d hate for your eyes to be super dry tomorrow.”

She bites her lip and furrows her brows in thought.

“Yeah. Give me a second.”She disappears from my room, then comes back a few minutes later.

I’m going to be painfully obvious in checking out her eye color now, but I don’t care.

“This is like a big reveal. What color are they?” I ask.

“Brown, goofball,” she laughs nervously as she gets back on the bed and looks at me.

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