“It’s probably been about two years now,” I told her.
“Do you think maybe it’s time to go back? You’re doing amazing—don’t get me wrong. But you deserve so much more out of life.”
I sighed. I’d stopped going because I didn’t feel broken anymore. When I’d started seeing Lillian, I was a mess of shattered glass. She’d helped me put all the pieces back together. It wasn’t until now that I realized that my pieces were just taped together, not permanently glued.
“I’ll think about it.”
“Good.” Skye smiled. “Now give me details on the kiss.”
“It was…” I shook my head. “Unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. I completely forgot where we were and felt lost in the moment. It’s hard to explain, but Donovan just has this gruffness to the way he touches me that makes me feel like he’s losing his mind for me, and it’s the sexiest thing ever. It was like that the weekend we spent together, too. He’s almost dominant when things get physical, which I’d normally hate, but I know in my heart it’s not a control thing for him. It’s more of him expressing how much he wants me. If one of the partners hadn’t interrupted, I think we might’ve ended up having sex against the wall.”
Skye’s eyes bulged. “You got caught?”
I shook my head. “We almost did, though. But I was able to slink out, and then I feigned being sick and Blake drove me home.”
“Have you seen him since?”
“Donovan? No. We talked on the phone later that night, and I told him I thought we should keep our distance.”
“How long ago was that?”
“About two weeks.”
“So you haven’t had contact with him in a while, then?”
“Well, that’s the odd thing. After we talked on the phone, he didn’t contact me for almost a week. But then I got a text one night that just said I miss you. I didn’t respond, and the next day I got a huge bouquet of flowers with a note that said Still thinking about you. And every day since then, he’s done something like that, but we haven’t seen each other or spoken in two weeks.”
“Huh…”
“Huh, what?”
“He doesn’t know anything about your past, right?”
“No, why?”
“Because he’s giving you space, but letting you know he isn’t going anywhere. That’s exactly how you handle someone like us, yet he doesn’t know the history.”
“He’s very smart and intuitive.”
“So then he’s probably figured out that you’re falling in love with him and are just scared.”
I wasn’t falling in love, was I?
Skye saw my expression and laughed. “You’ll figure it out eventually. Now come on, we have four episodes to watch. I’m dying to know what the story is with that crazy bitch who got taken out of the rose ceremony after fainting.”
***
“Good morning.”
Was it possible to be sexy with only two words? I hadn’t thought so. But Donovan Decker seemed able to accomplish it—and at only eight forty-five in the morning on a Monday, too. I wasn’t sure if it was the three-thousand-dollar, well-fitting suit covering the mass of tattoos I knew were hidden underneath, or the cocky smile that tugged at his lips while his deep voice stayed so steady. Good morning. Fuck my life.
I sighed. “Good morning.”
Storm looked up from his phone for a half second. “Hey…”
“It’s about to open up and pour any minute,” Donovan said. “Why don’t we go inside, and I’ll find us an empty room to talk before we have to see the judge?”
“Okay.”
The courthouse had one of those revolving turnstile doors. Donovan held his hand out for Storm to enter first. Once the next compartment came around, he held his hand out for me. But he surprised me by hopping into the tight little area right behind me. And if I wasn’t already thrown by the proximity, I felt his hot breath on my neck as he whispered in my ear. “You look beautiful. Green is my second-favorite color on you.”
I almost tripped navigating the rotating door, but I made it out the other side, glad to have a little air. Donovan seemed perfectly fine.
“Right this way,” he said.
We walked down the long corridor to the last room on the left. Donovan opened the door and peeked inside. Finding it empty, he opened it wider. “Let’s go in here to talk.”
Storm went first, and then it was my turn. “What’s your first favorite?” I asked as I passed.
Donovan’s eyes sparkled. “Nude.”
This is going to be one long morning.
The playfulness stopped once Donovan put on his lawyer hat and explained the terms of the deal to Storm.
“Do you understand everything I just told you?”
“Yeah. If I don’t get in trouble for a year, the charges get dropped.”
“Right,” Donovan said. “But what happens if you do get in trouble during the next year?”
“Really?” Storm said. “I’m not an idiot.”
“Storm…” I warned.