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At her door, she fumbles with the keycard. My hand covers hers and I press into her backside. I kiss a path from her shoulder to ear, only to hear the door click open. She steps away from me and into her room, leaving me on the other side.

Her eyes meet mine. “I might need some help getting out of my dress. Think you can give me a hand?”

I thought she’d never fucking ask.

7

Hope

I’ve battled my feelings for as long as I can. There’s something about Kellan I can’t say no to. Yes, I’ve gone out with men in Phoenix, but it was easy going on that one date and saying no to the rest. None of them make me feel like Kellan does. He’s charming, respectful, smart and definitely not lacking in the sex department. The way he looks at me makes me tremble every time. And last night, I couldn’t leave him. The second I felt his fingers on my skin as he helped me out of my dress, there was no turning back. Who am I kidding? I knew exactly what I was doing. I wanted him … and he wanted me to. Everything went by so fast though. All I really needed was for time to stand still. After countless hours of nonstop lovemaking, we spent the rest of the time talking until we could no longer keep our eyes open. It was a wonderful night.

I tried to keep a distance, but every time Kellan got close to me, I wanted more. I needed more. I didn’t realize how much I craved the intimacy. Everyone believes we’re together and a part of me wants to believe it too. But how could we make it work? The real question is … does Kellan want it as well?

I can see the sun through the tiny slit of the hotel curtains. It’s seven o’clock and the whole wedding party is supposed to meet downstairs in the lobby for one last breakfast before Hallie and Stewart leave for their honeymoon to Grenada. I have an hour to get ready, but I don’t want to move. Kellan has his arm around my waist, and I snuggle into his body. It’s my last morning with him and to my surprise, it hurts my heart to think about it.

Kellan kisses the back of my neck. “Good morning.”

I trace my fingers over his arm and hand. “Morning. We should probably get ready.”

Groaning, his arm tightens around me. “Not yet. I don’t want to get up.”

Okay,” I give in, giggling. “Just two more minutes.”

He nuzzles the back of my neck and sighs. “You know, last night I didn’t think you were going to let me in.”

If he only knew. Should I tell him that I’m falling for him when I know very damn well that I shouldn’t be? No, I can’t. Kellan turns me in his arms so that I face him. I look right into his crystal blue eyes and melt. “I couldn’t resist,” I say in all honesty.

Kellan smiles. “Must be my Irish charm.”

Averting my gaze, I slide my hands down his chest. “Must be.”

“Your flight leaves at eleven, right?”

I nod, but still keep my eyes away from his. “Yep. So, once we’re done with breakfast, I have to get the rest of my things from my parents’ house and head straight to the airport.”

His fingers trail up my arm to my cheek. “Do you mind if I take you?” he asks, his voice low. He cups my cheek and I meet his stare. “Do you?” he asks again.

I must be a glutton for punishment. It was already going to be hard enough saying goodbye to him after the breakfast. At least, it’ll give me a little extra time with him. I nod and try my best to smile. “Okay. You can take me.”

He kisses me quickly and nips my bottom lip. “All right, go get ready. I know it takes you lassies forever to get dressed.”

Rolling my eyes, I smack his arm and slide out of bed. “Hey, I can get ready in thirty minutes. That’s taking a shower, putting on makeup, and getting my clothes on.”

Kellan bursts out laughing and clasps his hands behind his head, his eyes roaming up and down my bare body. “Why do I not believe you?”

His pants are on the floor, so I pick them up and chuck them at his head. “All right, smart ass, you’ll see.”

He laughs again, but I ignore him and hop in the shower. I half expect him to join me, but he doesn’t. We both know I won’t get done in thirty minutes if he does. Once I open the shower door, he’s standing there naked with a sly grin on his face, tapping his wrist.

“Only twenty-three minutes left.”

I glare at him. “I can still do this.”


Tags: Heidi McLaughlin The Dating Romance