Page 112 of Ever With Me

“I don’t know, I’m . . . scared about what happens when you leave, Brooks. Because it’s not anif.You’re leaving. You can say you don’t want to walk away, but I don’t know what that means. And I don’t want this to be a one-night-only situation, either.”

“I know that.” Brooks reached out a hand for her. She swallowed a large mouthful of wine, then set the glass down and interlaced her fingers with his. He drew her over toward his chair, and with a smile, she stepped out of her boots, then straddled him.

“Better?” he asked.

Shockingly, being close to him like this calmed her. “Much.”

His lips skimmed her jawline, drawing a seductive line to her earlobe, which he nipped. “I don’t have all the answers, Maddie. This is new for me, too, believe it or not. But I respect and like you too much to sleep with you and then walk away. I have a lot on my plate right now and just as many unknowns and maybe it’s better if I get all my ducks in a row first, but damn if the thought of that doesn’t make me miserable.”

She rested her cheek against his jaw, closing her eyes. “It makes me miserable, too.”

Brooks trailed his hand up her back, gently. “Can we just take it a day at a time for now? Adjust as we go along and. ..figure it out together?”

That didn’t sound unreasonable.

And it was honest, too.

Neither of them knew what they were doing. A day at a time wasn’t forever, but it wasn’t a one-night stand, either. Or, worse still, nothing.

And maybe thinking aboutforeverhad been part of her problem in the past, too.

She’d gotten so caught up in getting on with the rest of her life that she’d forgotten to enjoy the present. That was what Brooks was ultimately offering.Right now with a path forward.

She pulled back and searched his gaze. “I think I can handle that.”

Warmth lit his eyes. “Good. Because I have a question for you.”

What now?“And what’s that?”

His thumb skimmed the bare skin at her waist. “How wet?”

She swallowed. “How wet what?”

“How wet did you get when you were fantasizing about me?” His lips continued a slow path down the side of her neck to her collarbone, making her pulse throb.

Trust him to return to that topic.

She laughed lightly, her eyelids growing heavy with the allure of his kisses. “Not as wet as you’ve made me when we kiss.”

“Wet enough to touch yourself?”

Her breath rasped in her throat, and her head spun with desire. Maddie’s fingertips brushed against the stubble of his jaw, then made a slow path down to his chest, where she steadied herself as his tantalizing kisses continued down her shirtfront.

He undid the top button of her shirt, and she sucked in an unsteady breath.

“Maybe.”

“Madison, tell me the truth.” Another button came undone, and her breasts felt heavy with the anticipation of his touch.

God, I want him so much.

“Occasionally.”

“Tell me about it.” The silken command was enough to make her shiver. He clearly carried that demanding, bossy presence into the bedroom, which didn’t surprise her. Brooks was in charge, and she liked that about him.

“Brooks—”

“Tell me.” Another button opened deftly, enough so that her bra was exposed now. Her nipples were growing hard. “I want every single dirty detail, Madison. Don’t pretend you’re shy now.”

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