“That was real.”
“I know…” he says.
“It may not mean much to you, but I need to tell you that.”
He shifts in his seat.
“Listen… It means a lot to me. Why do you think I couldn’t stay with you last night, got into an argument with Kai, and spent the night at our hotel.”
My mouth falls open in surprise.
“No… You went there without me…” I murmur.
“I wanted to be by myself. I couldn’t go back to the hotel. I dropped Francisco off and drove away. I think the staff will always have that room ready for me for the foreseeable future,” he jokes.
“How was it?”
“Strange. Quiet. I didn’t sleep much.”
He’s serious again, no longer holding my gaze.
“I wasn’t having a meltdown or anything like that. All I wanted was to relive those memories. Your scent was no longer locked in the sheets, the bed was made, and there was no fruit sorbet in the room. But I could still see your shadow in the room, and if I listened carefully, I could hear your voice bouncing around the place and echoing in the walls.”
He pauses.
“I missed you, and interestingly enough, I jerked off at some point. Fucking you up against that wall on the boat last night must’ve had to do with that.”
He cracks a smile.
“And then I thought to myself. I was lucky to meet you… And I had it so damn easy. Kai made it easy for me. All I needed to do was give you something he couldn’t give you yet. Sometimes that is the best place to be in. Sometimes…” he jokes.
“What would’ve happened had you been in his place?”
“Meaning having first dibs?”
“Yes.”
He flashes a grin, oozing pure masculinity.
“I would’ve been exactly like him. No. Actually, no…”
He mulls over his answer.
“I would’ve been worse than him. Yes. Much worse. And I would’ve driven you away. The same way he did.”
* * *
RAVEN
We exitthe car moments later and head inside.
First, he gives me a tour of the place while I wonder why I always end up in these beautiful places with nothing more than my purse, heels, and dress.
No comfortable clothes. No travel bag.
He shows me around for a few more minutes before we get settled in the wicker chairs outside and nurse the drinks in front of us.
He checks the time on his watch.