Page 84 of Beyond the Stroke

He sets my suitcase down by the closet before opening it to show me where extra linens are kept.

“And look.” He pulls open the small drawer in the bedside table. “The perfect spot for Big Dill.”

“Thanks,” I reply flatly, fighting a smile.

But then the mental image of me lying on Rory’s bed, pleasuring myself with Big Dill emerges and I break out in a sweat.

My eyes lock with Rory’s and I swear he’s thinking the same thing.

For a moment, we stand there staring at each other. The air between us hums with unspoken possibilities.

“Okay, thanks for the tour.” I turn and nearly trip over Edgar.

Clearly, he doesn’t have any issues with our new home. He’s on the rug at the foot of Rory’s bed, legs up in the air, rolling around on his back.

“He found a comfy spot,” Rory says, dropping down to rub Edgar’s belly.

Seeing Edgar stretched out on the floor fills me with joy. That little guy has my heart and I can’t imagine not having him by my side.

I lower down next to Rory to give Edgar some love.

“Hey,” Rory says softly, his finger lifting my chin until I meet his gaze. “I want you to be comfortable here. It’s your home now, too.”

Rory’s fingers slide along my jaw. It’s the same way he cupped my face at the courthouse when he kissed me. I could so easily lean into his touch, drop my lips to his and see where this attraction takes us, but I won’t.

Remember the rules.

I pull back and Rory drops his hand.

A moment later, he stands, then grabs a duffel bag from his closet and starts tossing items inside. He looks up to find me watching him.

“I’ve got a pool workout, then relay practice.”

“Oh. Right. Of course.”

Mentally, I shoo away the rush of disappointment. It’s not like I thought we’d be spending the day together. This marriage is for convenience and we’re still going to live our separate lives.

“I’m sorry I have to rush out when you just got here.”

“It’s fine. That’s the whole point of this, right?” I cross my arms over my chest and shrug nonchalantly. “You don’t have to tell me where you’re going. You don’t even have to say goodbye when you leave.”

I busy myself by dusting a piece of lint off his comforter.

“Summer?”

He draws my attention back to him just in time for me to see him throw his duffel over his shoulder before leaning in close. His proximity has me pinned to the dresser behind me, my heart racing at the thrill of him in my space.

“Yeah?” The word slips out breathless.

“I’ll never leave without saying goodbye.” There’s sincerity in his smile, but the heat in his eyes is what makes my stomach flip.

“Sure.” I clear my throat. “Whatever you want to do.”

“I’ll let you get unpacked.”

“Okay.” I nod, offering a limp wave as he turns. “Bye.”

Once he’s gone, I can finally breathe normally.

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