Page 181 of Carnal

I survey the impeccable black-and-silver room. It's just as big as Dante and Bridget's suite. I beam. "I love it. It's really nice. "

"Thanks. If you wanted to change it, you could. Assuming you get to the place where you want to be with me again," he states, and I can't ignore the little bit of doubt in his voice, even though I know he's not doing it to hurt or guilt me.

I shake my head. "No. It's beautiful. And I want to get there again."

He stays silent. The tension grows thicker.

I ask, "So…are you free to hang out today?"

He grins. "'Course I am. Until you're fully recovered, I'm at your service."

I nervously laugh. "You heard Silvio. I'm fine."

He runs his hand through his hair. "I'll take some more time off from work until you're ready to return to your job."

More butterflies fill my gut. I glide my hand over his pecs. "I guess I'll let you take a shower."

He glances down at me. "You can join me if you want."

Sizzles run to my core. I shift on my feet, squeezing my legs together.

Jesus, he's hot.

I need to kiss him.

More electricity swirls around us. I urge myself to make a move, but my body stays planted.

"Sorry. Didn't mean to make you uncomfortable," he apologizes.

"You didn't," I assure him, retreat toward the door, and chirp, "Where do you want me to meet you? "

He hesitates and then motions toward the sitting room. "You can hang there if you want."

I make my way over to the couch, answering, "Great, I'll just be here twiddling my thumbs."

His lips twitch. "No problem. Make yourself at home." He walks into the bathroom and shuts the door.

I pace the room. Everything inside me screams for me to follow him, but I continue to pace.

Why can't I act on my impulses?

This shouldn't be so hard. He's sexy as sin, loves me, and I love him.

I freeze. It's the first time I've admitted to myself I love him. There's no doubt about it. I feel it in my soul.

Stop being a scaredy-cat!

I go to the bathroom and slip through the door. I tiptoe to the shower and stare at his naked, hard body. I strip, take a deep breath, and step behind him.

The water rolls down my body and face. I don't move except to circle my arms around his waist and hug him hard.

His body stiffens. He slowly puts his hands over mine.

My lips tremble as I kiss his back.

He spins, saying nothing, just giving me a look like he wants to eat me for his dinner.

My insides ache. I say, "I'm sorry."

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