Total pages in book: 37
Estimated words: 34702 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 174(@200wpm)___ 139(@250wpm)___ 116(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34702 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 174(@200wpm)___ 139(@250wpm)___ 116(@300wpm)
I forced myself to glance at the nightstand where my phone sat upside down. Picking it up, I saw the time, and panic shot through me so fast I nearly jolted upright. I had a flight in just four hours that I couldn’t miss, and I still hadn’t finished packing. I had planned to do that yesterday…before Raiden tempted me into going out with him instead.
Although I’d need to scramble today, last night was totally worth it.
But since I was traveling for work for an entire month, I couldn’t just throw a few things into a bag on my way to the airport. And that meant I needed to get moving.
My stomach twisted. Leaving the country after what happened last night was the last thing I wanted to do. But I’d been lucky to land my job at Empire Sports Network so soon after graduating, and missing my flight would make me late for an interview with the figure skater everyone thought was going to win the Four Continents Championships next week. My knowledge of the sport and my access to the skating community were significant factors in my boss hiring me, so I couldn’t afford to mess up at the start of my first big work trip.
I thought about waking Raiden before I got up to say goodbye instead of disappearing like a coward. But then my brain conjured an image of him blinking at me in confusion and offering a polite smile before brushing our time together off as a one-night stand.
After the way I’d given myself over to him so completely, I couldn’t stomach the risk of seeing that look. So I carefully eased myself out from under his arm one inch at a time. His hand dragged across my hip as I slipped free, and the cold rush of air that hit my skin as I stood was a harsh contrast to the warmth I’d felt while wrapped in his arms.
I gathered my bra and panties as quietly as possible, even though Raiden didn’t move except to pull the pillow I’d been sleeping on into his chest and bury his face in it. Then I grabbed the rest of my clothes from the living room.
My cheeks burned remembering how my outfit had ended up scattered across his floor—his doing, not mine. He’d been single-minded in a way that still made my knees wobble if I thought about it too hard. Which was a problem, because my legs were already unsteady as I made my way to the en suite bathroom.
I stared at my reflection while washing my hands, taking in the beard burn on my face, neck, chest, and everywhere else he’d kissed me. I pressed my fingers over a spot on my collarbone, heat blooming beneath my skin. I’d never been kissed like that before. Hadn’t even known I could want someone that much or that fast. If only the timing hadn’t been so awful.
Heading back into the bedroom, I felt the lingering ache between my thighs every time I bent to grab another piece of clothing. I was even more aware of it when I slipped into my jeans and padded barefoot to where my top had landed near the foot of the bed.
Raiden shifted slightly, the sheet sliding a fraction lower on his hips, and my breath caught. I shouldn’t stare—but I did, committing the sight to memory.
When I reached for my top, my hand brushed against one of his instead. The T-shirt that’d been under his sweater, soft and worn from years of use. It smelled like him, and I wanted to take it with me. But I forced myself to set it back down.
Then I moved to the nightstand, searching for paper. When I found a pad and pen, my hand trembled slightly as I wrote him a short note.
Had to run to the airport for an assignment.
Thanks for a great night
– Marissa
With no idea what the morning-after etiquette was, I kept it short and simple.
I set it exactly where Raiden would see it when he opened his eyes.
Turning to leave, I froze in the doorway to take one last look over my shoulder.
He looked peaceful. Strong. And sexier than any man had the right to be.
We’d only met yesterday. I shouldn’t feel anything deep for him already. But my heart squeezed hard enough to make me press a hand against my rib cage.
“Bye,” I whispered, too quiet for him to hear.
I stepped into the hall, but before I closed the door behind me, I sprinted back in and grabbed his T-shirt off the floor. Stuffing it into my purse, I convinced myself that I could pretend it was accidental if he ever asked me.
Or deny having his shirt. That seemed easier.
I quietly shut the door and forced myself to leave. By the time I slid into the back seat of a cab, my voice shook when I gave the driver my address.