“I love you too.”
He smiles, eyes crinkling at the corners. “God, you’re amazing.” He leans in again, kissing me quick on the lips. “Give me a sec.”
He heads into the bathroom, my gaze wandering around the bedroom. I turn on the bedside lamp next to me, pausing to sniff the fresh-cut flowers on the nightstand, and search for my panties in the depths of the tangled sheets, discovering them crumpled in the corner of the enormous bed.
I stand and pull them on, finding my bra flung across the room. I pick up my dress off the floor, holding it up to shake out the wrinkles the best I can, and turn as the bathroom door opens, taking in Connor’s glorious form once more. It’s criminal for one man to look that good naked.
He strides over, wrapping me in his arms, my body relaxing into his embrace. “Don’t tell me we’re getting dressed.”
“I need to get home.”
“Really? Already?”
“Yeah, I have to get up early for work. My boss is a real hardass.”
His chest rumbles with laughter and he leans back to look at me, keeping his hands around my waist. “I think he’d cut you a little slack if you were late. Especially after tonight.” He angles in to nibble at my neck, a thrill running through me despite everything we just did. “You could even stay the night if you wanted…”
The idea is tempting. But probably more of a headache than it’s worth. “I didn’t bring anything for that. Toothbrush, face wash, pajamas—”
“I can get any of that sent up from the front desk. And you definitely don’t need any pajamas.”
His hands move playfully down to my ass, squeezing me, and I laugh. “Next time, okay?”
“I’m holding you to that,” he murmurs. “I want to wake up with you in my arms.”
My heart melts. “You will. Soon.”
I step away, shimmying my dress on, and present my back for him to zip up. He does so achingly slow, leaving a trail of kisses, the beginnings of arousal stirring in me.
Oh, and he knows exactly what he’s doing too, from the sly smile on his face as I turn around.
I slip on my shoes and fix my hair in the bathroom mirror before heading into the sitting area, finding him dressed too in casual wear.
“One last kiss,” he says, stopping me before I get to the door, bringing me in close, his lips sweet as he tries to persuade me to stay. And though the idea is exhilarating, I’m not ready yet. I need to come up with a plan where I can fully be with him. No secrets between us, nothing hanging over my head. Tonight was amazing, but I have to figure out a long-term solution.
“You’re incorrigible,” I whisper, lingering a minute longer.
“Insatiable. I can’t get enough of you.”
“Should I come over again tomorrow night?”
“Yes,” he replies immediately.
I bite my lip to contain my smile, still not used to being this free with him. Despite everything we’ve already done. Despite us admitting how we really feel. The sensation is heady, the path of possibility clear. This could actually work.
I open the door, barely across the threshold before he grabs my hand, turning me to kiss me deeply again. “Okay, this is the last kiss,” he promises. “I need everything I can get to tide me over till tomorrow night.”
I twine my arms around his neck, grinning like a fool against his lips. “It’ll be here before you know it.”
The sound of a door closing further down the hall has me pulling away, not wanting to get caught. “Goodnight.”
“Goodnight,” he whispers, gaze full of love.
I turn and sigh, floating on a cloud toward the elevators. He loves me. This unbelievably amazing man actually loves me.
Or the idea of me, at least. He doesn’t know the whole truth, but he will.
I resolve myself to telling him tomorrow, to making things right between us. He’ll understand what I was up against, how I didn’t have much of a choice, and then we’ll be together. Equal. Partners in this scary adventure of navigating a relationship amid everything working against us.