Page 87 of Something Borrowed

“Yes, many times. Go on.”

“The terrace is to your left.” His voice fades slightly as he walks away. “There’s a sofa in here on your right and a coffee machine that will put a smile on your face. The bathroom is lush. There’s a big rolltop bath in front of a huge window that looks out on the sea and a shower big enough for two. Or even ten. They could hold the ceremony in there.”

I swallow hard at the thought of being naked and wet with him and say quickly, “I can hear the sea. I love that sound.”

“Me too. We can leave the terrace doors open tonight.”

And just like that, the awkwardness is back. My cock stirs at the thought of being so close to that lithe body of his. He’d been like fire in my arms, full of heat. I burst into speech. “Okay. Where’s the bed?”

“It’s straight ahead of you.”

“Okay.” I count the steps across the marble floor until my feet hit the bed. I stretch out my hand and press the mattress. The sheets are cool under my hot fingers. “Good firm springs,” I say.

He snorts. “You’re so full of positivity, Stanley. You’d have commented that the seawater would keep the wine cool on the Titanic when it sank.”

I grin, happy to hear humour in his voice. “There’s nothing wrong with a little bit of positivity.”

“Well, I eagerly await your sunny take on your fiancé coming after me with a shotgun.”

“He’s not good at sport. Anyway, it’s highly unlikely that he’ll even be bothered.”

“Why? I’d be fuckingfuriousif you shared a bed with another man.”

My mouth drops open. “You would?”

“Yes, I bloody would.”

I swallow at the note of possessiveness in his voice. It’s fierce and hot, and I have to count backwards to avoid an inconvenient hard-on.

I hear him come close and feel his sweet breath on my face. I inhale the scent of his cologne and a light trace of sweat. I sway into him, and his hands land on my arms.

“Yes,” he says softly. “I couldn’t bear it, Stan.” There’s a pause, and when he speaks next, his voice sounds flat. “But then, it’s not me in this scenario,right?”

I open my mouth, but he moves away before I can beg him to kiss me.

“I’m going for a shower,” he says briskly. “You take the right side of the bed as usual.” I swallow at the knowledge that we have our own sides. “The bathroom is directly on your left.”

There’s a pause as he waits for me to respond. “Okay,” I finally say and swallow as I feel his fingers run through my hair. They twine in the curls, tugging one affectionately.

“It should be annoying that you’re so endearing, Stanley.”

I swallow hard. “Should it?”

He taps my nose. “Yes.”

He moves away, and I hear the sound of a zip and the soft thwomp as fabric hits the floor. The knowledge that he’s taking off his clothes nearby sends heat through me.

“Raff?” I say, the hoarseness in my voice obvious in the room's hush.

I think his footsteps come closer to me and I can almost feel the warmth of his skin. Then he says softly, “Let’s not play those games. I won’t be long.” He steps away, and his voice is brisk when he speaks again. “The luggage has been delivered. It’s at the bottom of the bed. Leave the cases. I’ll unpack before I go down.”

There’s the sound of a door shutting, and the shower starts. I stay still for a long second, willing my heart to ease. If I’d reached out, I could have touched him, and I know where I’d have started—on his full mouth. I’d have traced the sweet bow with my finger, and then I’d have slicked it with my tongue before kissing him.

I sigh. And we both know where that would have ended—on the mattress, burning up the sheets again. I curl my fingers into a fist because I’ve never wanted to do that more, and Raff stopped it.

And there’s the rub, because nothing is really different between us. I’ve been falling more deeply and seriously in love with him, while he’s always remained his usual casual self. The only thing that’s changed is that now I’m fake engaged. And if he seems upset about it, it’s because he’s always disliked Bennett.

I tap my way towards the balcony and the sound of the sea. Casting my hand out, I find a chair and settle gingerly into the cushioned depths. I gaze into the murky land of shadows and half-light that’s all I can see and try to work out what to do.

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