Page 658 of Rock Me All Night
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Our hotel roomis down the hall. It's the same model as Drew's—a suite with a private bedroom and a big common area. The walls and floor are beige. The furniture is an intense shade of aqua.
I draw the curtains, pull open the door to the balcony, and let in the sticky sweet early morning air. Sunrise streaks the horizon.
It's humid and warm, like summer nights back in New York. For a moment, the thought of home doesn't sting. There were good times there, before Mom left, and after too.
Pete places his body behind mine. It should feel like too much—the warmth of him—but it's just as comforting in the sticky air as it is coming out of the freezing ocean.
He brings his mouth to my ear. "What are you thinking?"
"Nothing important. Little things Madison and I did in the summers, like sunbathing in the backyard, or cozying up to our neighbor so we could use his pool. That was all her. I never really tried to seek out male attention."
He brings his hands to my hips and pulls my ass against his crotch. A small sigh escapes his lips.
It's nice feeling appreciated.
"You miss her, huh?" he asks.
"She's a lot of fun. The kind of person who shakes things up. She cares, too, about Dad. She hasn't given up hope yet, I guess."
He nestles his chin into the crook of my neck. "Have you?"
"One more try. Then it's done."
"And if he won't get help?"
"Then he's out of my life. Forever." I swallow hard. The heaviness doesn't come. It must be black magic, the way Pete's arms keep me light. The thought of losing Dad hurts, but it doesn't drag me down. With Pete holding me, I know I'll survive. "Hey. It's a wedding. Your brother's wedding. Let's talk about happy stuff."
"Are you happy?"
I turn and slide my arms around his waist. "Give me another hug and I will be."
He pulls me into a tight embrace. Front to front this time. This is just as comforting.
"I like when you ask for what you want." His voice drops, low and hungry.
"That is what I said, that I wanted to be assertive."
"Do it again."
Tell me you love me. "Kiss me."
He leans down and presses his lips to mine. It's not patient. In a moment, his tongue is in my mouth, exploring it like it's the first time.
When our kiss breaks, I say the first thing that makes it to my lips. "You still taste like whiskey."
"I can brush my teeth."
"It's okay. It was a bachelor party. Sort of."
Pete smiles. "Wish you'd met Tom this time last year. If that guy saw this, he'd flip his shit."
"That the bachelor party was you guys sitting around doing karaoke or that he's getting married?"
"Both."
"And your bachelor party?" My heart pangs at the thought of Pete marrying someone else. I go to my suitcase in search of pajamas. I need to get comfortable if I'm discussing something so painful. "All strippers and blow?"
