“Literally.” She let out a soft sigh while staring at the fire. “I had a lot of fun today. Last night, too.”
“Yeah?” He scooted closer and tucked a wayward strand of hair off her cheek.
She made a murmur of content and turned her head to press a kiss into his palm.
The small gesture made his breath catch.
Shit, she was so sweet. So sexy.
Need rose inside him, but he forced it down. They had all night. He wouldn’t rush things this time.
Last night, he’d lost control like it had been his first time. Not the other way around.
“And not just the obvious dirty stuff.” She shrugged. “I’ve been going nonstop since I arrived in Seattle and never had a moment of down time. Today was almost magical. Just so chill and relaxing.” She gave a whimsical smile. “Low key with no big plans. And then being with you… It’s just all been really nice.”
“Yeah. I know what you mean.”
Usually, he packed his days off with errands and activities. Being relatively impulsive had been a good change. Taking time to get outside and just breathe.
Having Kristen’s hand in his had made it even more relaxing. Intimate. Where he dreaded leaving her and going back to work.
What the hell was wrong with him?
“How is it that you’re even single, Blake?”
Her question, soft and conversational, had him cringing a bit.
“I’m not great at relationships.”
She arched a brow and leaned back against the side of the couch, sliding her sock-covered feet onto his lap. “Have you stuck around long enough with a woman to try?”
Ouch. But her question only held mild curiosity, clearly no jab intended.
“Not in a while,” he admitted as he began to massage her foot.
The memory of the day that had changed it all rose along with bile in his throat. He rarely let himself think about it. He’d become awfully proficient on erecting that mental wall in an instant.
“You should try sometime.”
Something about her tone had him giving her a closer look. “You applying for the position?”
Pink flared in her cheeks, and her eyes widened. Clearly, she hadn’t been applying and had just realized how that sounded. “Me? Well, you know, that long distance thing is a bitch.”
Amusement warred with disappointment. “So, you’re sticking it out in Vegas, then?”
“I haven’t looked anywhere else for jobs.”
“So, it’s just the job, then?”
She paused. “Also friends and…stuff.”
Stuff. Hmm. The way she’d said that word made him curious, but he didn’t pry. He needed to let it go.
“What are you thinking about?” she asked.
Keep it light.
“Your toes.” He teased one of her little toes. “And that cute, sparkly-pink polish you have on them.”