He groans.
His teeth sink into my neck, one last time, and he comes, filling me.
Miles collapses next to me. He pulls me close, holding me the way he did last night.
"Better than I remembered," he groans.
"You have a terrible memory."
"Or it's like that song—I love fucking you more today than yesterday, but not as much as tomorrow."
I murmur something that's supposed to sound like shut up but it comes out more hell yes, please test this hypothesis with me tomorrow.
* * *
I wake up alone. The bed is empty. The apartment is empty. He's not here.
There's no note, no text, no contact from him at all.
Is he honoring my request to keep things strictly sexual or is he running off before I can start picking the lock that guards his heart?
I'm not sure. But the ache in my gut convinces me of one thing—I want him here.
I'm going to have him here.
I'm going to make it impossible for him to resist me.
Chapter Twenty-One
I catch a ride with Kara and hang out on the couch while she sets up for her party. Tom tries to make conversation. Then Pete. I send them both away, claiming a pressing desire to read, and hide out on the upstairs terrace.
Really, I'm trying to build up the confidence to change into my costume. It's in my bag, in Kara's car. I know it will affect Miles. I know exactly the reaction it will cause—his jaw will drop and his teeth will sink into his lower lip—but I'm concerned about the reaction it inspire
s in others.
It's not as if reminding Miles he wants me will help matters. He knows he wants me. The problem is that he won't offer himself to me. I need to accept that. It's just sex. Just pleasure. Just feeling good. Him locking me out of his heart—that doesn't feel good. That stings worse than anything has since Rosie died.
My heart needs to get over how much it wants his. That's not happening.
The sunset casts an orange glow over the hills. The view here is gorgeous—the Hollywood sign, the downtown L.A. skyline, the gridlocked streets all the way to the coast.
Rock stars get all the breaks.
"How come every time I see you, you look like you're waiting to be mounted?" Miles positions his body next to mine.
Instantly, my senses are overwhelmed. I remind myself that emotional intimacy is off the table, but my damn heart refuses to comprehend.
I stare into his gorgeous blue eyes. He's still defensive. I can't take it.
I push myself to my feet. "Excuse me."
"Talk to me."
"You were gone this morning. No note, no goodbye, nothing."
"I had to take care of something."
"What?"