Page 66 of One Life to Loathe

Each step after that was excruciating, but I didn’t let go of her hand. When we reached our rooms, I stood in the middle of the hallway like an idiot. Was she going to invite me in again? Would we die out here instead, with both of us refusing to speak?

“It’s your turn,” she said out of nowhere. Her voice sounded shaky.

I jerked my eyes to her. “What’s my turn?”

“We did my room last night,” she prodded.

“Oh.” I exhaled heavily and pulled out my keycard with my left hand. My right was still wrapped around her hand, and I had no intention of letting go. “You want to come in?” I shoved open the door.

She eyed the room, then me, then nodded. “Yeah. I just want you to know that I know we’re making a mess of this.”

“Do you care?”

“You know what? In this moment, I really do not care.”

I was right there with her. “I can’t stay away from you. We’re going to have to figure it out.”

“So, we’ll figure it out. Later, though.” She gave me a surprising shove toward my open door, her eyes lit with intent. “You need to start moving.”

“Are you sparking?” I asked.

“Yup.”

I finally let go of her hand, but only because I was pulling her into my arms. The door hadn’t even fallen shut yet. “Thank God. I’m going to spark the crap out of you.”

“Finally something I want to do today.” Her mouth headed toward mine like a missile.

She was what I wanted. I couldn’t pretend otherwise. I had no idea how this was all going to work out. I just knew I wanted to find out.

In this moment, that was the only thing that mattered.

18

EIGHTEEN

Iwoke to snoring. It was light, but there. When I shifted, I found Leo’s arms wrapped tightly around me and my head on his shoulder.

This was different, I realized. Our previous dalliance left us both feeling awkward. I no longer felt awkward. Well … at least right now.

“What are you doing?” Leo murmured as he shifted, drawing me in tighter against him. “Go back to sleep.”

“It’s seven o’clock,” I replied. My mind was already working. “We need to talk.”

“Oh, man.” Leo made a face. “I don’t want to fight.” He released me and dragged the covers over his head.

I was amused despite myself and started tickling his sides as I shifted to straddle him. “I didn’t say I wanted to fight.” I wrestled the pillow away from his face and grinned at his sulky countenance. “Why are you so good looking in the morning?” I complained out of nowhere. “I mean, seriously, it should be against the law.”

That earned a smile from him as his hands moved to my naked hips. “You look pretty good too.”

“No, I have bedhead and morning crusties. I’m betting my breath is terrifying, too.”

“Come here and let me gauge that for myself.” Leo caught the back of my head and brought me down close so he could kiss me senseless. I actually forgot where I was and who I was for several seconds. “You taste good to me,” he said as he released me.

“Why are you so good at that?” I complained.

“Genetics.” He rubbed his hands over my thighs and then reached for me again. “Come here.”

“Not yet.” I brought him up short with a hand on his chest. I needed to be able to see his face for this conversation. “I have questions.”

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