Page 51 of Staying for You

“Are you still thinking?” she practically whines.

“No. I’m going to let you walk up the stairs yourself because I don’t trust myself not to drop you right now.”

Without hesitation, she shoves me behind her and shouts, “Race ya!”

I chase after her and think it won’t be the last time I do.

Chapter Fifteen

Cami

I’m breathinghard by the time I push through the door to his apartment above the lodge. Laughing and so damn turned on I can hardly see straight. For three days my fingers typed out the start of a new book. I finished over half of it in less time than it usually takes me to type out a few chapters. I wanted a muse, some inspiration — and boy did I get it.

I woke up the morning after Owen and I sat on the couch in my cabin eating sandwiches and crunching on chips feeling more relaxed than I had in years. I fell asleep with a smile on my face, and not just because I couldn’t stop picturing the look on Owen’s face when he saw how many heavy blankets I use at night.

I was able to send Gretchen the manuscript for her to read through because even though I felt like I was spot on and writing magic, I knew it would help to hear what Gretchen thought of what I’d written so far.

It took forever for my hot spot on my phone to send it out. Within thirty minutes I’d gotten a text from Gretchen.

Gretchen:OMG! You had sex, didn’t you?

Me:Uh, what?

Gretchen:That’s the only explanation for the fact that you’re writing like yourself again. You and your vagina are back on track.

Gretchen:Wait just a hot minute. And I mean hot. Because I just looked up where you are and if you’re having sex with that lumberjack who owns the resort I might have to not like you much anymore because holy crap.

I didn’t go into detail with her that I hadn’t had sex but did make sure to let her know.

Me:He is definitely sexy.

Gretchen:You can’t see me, but I’m shimmying and giddy. And I’m going back to reading because this, my friend, is amazing.

Me:You have no idea how badly I needed to hear that.

Gretchen:Yes, I do. And I mean it.

I couldn’t stop smiling or sit still. I walked around outside for about ten minutes before I whispered, “Screw it,” then marched up to the lodge without a second thought.

And boy am I glad I did.

Owen didn’t hesitate to wrap me back up in his arms once we reached the top of the stairs, but this time, tossing me over his shoulder and charging through his living room, down the short hallway, and directly into his bedroom. He told me to watch my head, flipped me over and I landed with a flop on the bed.

The scent of Owen overwhelms me in the best way possible. I want to immediately turn over and bury my face in his bed — which is neatly made.

He’s still standing and I watch in fascination — and a little bit of jealousy that I’m not the one doing it — as he rips the buttons from his shirt as he tears it off him. Jealousy gone.

His body.

Whoa.

I’ve never seen anything like it. I sit up on my elbows, staring, probably drooling a little bit and…

“What the hell?!” I shout and point.

He startles, looks down and all around him. “What? What’s wrong?”

“That!”

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