Page 15 of Delayed
Moreover, her career didn’t leave much timefor a relationship, especially a long distance one. When would sheand Rex see each other? Weekends were probably the busiest time atthe brewery. And he seemed to travel a lot during the week.
Getting her hopes up for something more thantonight was only a ticket to a broken heart. She couldn’t affordthat either. She had to remain focused on her goals. If she stayedon course, she’d be an Assistant Vice President within the nextcouple months.
The awkward silence gnawed at her. She brokethe quiet. “Where was your favorite place to travel?”
He glanced up at her. “Hm … right now, GrandRapids, Michigan.”
She swatted at him. “Stop it. I’m beingserious.” She liked the fact he could bring humor back into theirawkward situation.
“I did some skiing in Chile in thesummer—their winter, and some incredible hiking in Scandinavia.Probably one of those.” He collected their empty plates and walkedthem to the cart.
“Wow. You’ve really traveled.” She shiftedin her chair to watch him pad across the room in his bare feet. Hewore his jeans but remained shirtless. Every one of his movementshighlighted his lean muscles. She enjoyed watching him.
“My dad was high up in an internationalbank. He’d travel a lot for work and my mom, my sister, and I wouldtag along when we could. Definitely a privileged life.”
“Sounds exciting.” A twinge of jealousypinched her belly. “My parents were both teachers in the publicschool system. We’ve been all over the east coast and many parts ofthe south, but money was always a little tight.” She didn’t revealthat this was part of the reason she busted her ass at her job,focusing almost all her energy on climbing the ladder. She didn’twant money to be an issue. She’d watched her parents scrape dimestogether to pay for summer vacations or new school clothes for her.Upon turning sixteen, she’d got the first job she could at thelocal supermarket as a cashier to buy her own things and relieveher parents a little.
“I bet you have good memories from theplaces you’ve been. It’s not always the destination, Sunshine.Sometimes it’s just the journey.” He sat in the chair across fromher again.
Her chest squeezed and tears welled in hereyes. She did have wonderful memories of her summer vacations withher parents. “I do. And what a beautiful thing to say.” With wordslike that, she was lucky this was only one night. She’d be headover heels for him in no time.
“It’s true.” He reached across the smalltable and squeezed her hand. “Some people forget that and miss thejoy of where they are and how they got there.”
“Maybe I will let you stay with me in thevilla.” She gave him a small smile.
“I won’t book my flight until I get anofficial invitation. But any time spent with you would be timewell-spent.”
Boy, was he good with the lines.
He pushed up and over the table and capturedher lips. He was good at a lot of things. And he proceeded to showher just how good.
Chapter Eight
Something warm brushed against him. Rexopened his eyes and took in the beautiful woman lying next to him.If he had gotten two hours of sleep, he’d be shocked. He and Annahad explored each other and made love again after their dinner,then he’d passed out only to be awoken by her, snuggled under thecovers, and between his legs with his dick in her mouth. She was avigorous lover. And he loved every minute of their time anddiscovery.
He glanced at the bedside clock. 5:00 in themorning. They’d need to connect with the airline in an hour. He’dbe exhausted today, but the fatigue would be worth it.
Her breath fanned across his chest as herhead rested on his shoulder. He could get used to this scenario,waking up with her in his bed and in his arms. Was this surprising?Yes. There had been a time when he thought he’d never desire arelationship again. Never trust his heart with another soul. Forthe last several months, he’d been questioning his bachelorhood.This time with Anna gave him perspective of what his life could belike if he shared it with someone special. If he opened himself upto the possibility again.
But something niggled him. Though they’dbeen fully connected all night, he had this nagging suspicion sheplanned to walk onto her plane tomorrow and never see him again.That unsettled him because he couldn’t do that. Wouldn’t dothat.
“A penny for your thoughts,” shewhispered.
He chuckled. “That’s all my thoughts areworth? A penny?”
She trailed a finger up his abdomen.
His muscles seized with an electric shockfrom her caress.
“I don’t really have much cash on me. I gavemost of it to the bartender at the airport. Perhaps I could offeryou something else for your thoughts?” She cocked an eyebrow andskated her hand down.
He had morning wood anyway, but her wordsand touch had all his blood rushing to his groin. “Don’t tease me,Sunshine.”
She slipped her hand under the sheets,stroked his thigh. “Your thoughts?”
Being vulnerable wasn’t his specialty. Infact, he found it damn hard to express anything related tofeelings. But what the hell! “I want to see you again.”
She stiffened, and her hand withdrew fromhis leg. “This was one night.”
