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“Okay.”
“I like it when you say okay. Good things happen.” He kisses my shoulder once more before sliding out from under the covers. I give him privacy to dress, even though my naked body was pressed to his for over half the night. We didn’t actually look, so I feel as if it’s the right thing to do. “Come out to the kitchen when you’re ready. Help yourself to whatever you need.”
I hear the bedroom door click closed, and I pull the covers over my face and release a silent squeal. Last night was everything. I know we’re pretending, but last night, everything I felt, including the evidence of his arousal, was real.
What I wouldn’t give for us to stay real.
Knowing that he’s out there slaving away on breakfast, I climb out of bed and search the floor for my panties. I slide them up over my thighs and reach for the clothes I had on last night, but think better of it. Instead, I grab the shirt he dressed me in to sleep and make my way to the bathroom. I take care of business and brush my teeth again, just in case, before I go in search of Merrick.
I find him in the kitchen, plating up scrambled eggs and toast. “It’s not much, but it will keep us from starving.” He looks up and freezes. He allows his eyes time to take me in from head to toe. I watch as his Adam's apple bobs with his hard swallow as his eyes lock on mine.
“That”—he points at me—“is definitely a sight a man could get used to every morning.” He offers me a cocky smile, and it’s at this moment I realize how, even though as a woman, we have a million things to worry about, like periods, childbirth, and menopause, we still have something that’s at our advantage.
We can hide when we’re turned on.
I can clearly see the bulge behind the gym shorts Merrick is wearing, but he can’t see that my panties are soaked.
That’s a huge win for the female population in my book.
We scarf down our breakfast as we talk about our favorite songs and movies before I help him clean up the mess.
“What are you doing today?” he asks.
“I need to do some laundry and go to the store.”
“Want some company?” he asks.
“I’m sure you have better things to do.”
“Nope. Besides, it will be good for us to be seen out together. We’ve been hanging out here or at your place lately.”
Disappointment washes over me. I hate the reminder that this isn’t real. “Right. Yes, let’s do that. I’ll go get changed.”
“Me too. I’ll grab some clothes and shower in the spare bathroom while you’re getting ready.” With that, he walks away, and a little piece of my enthusiasm goes with him.
CHAPTER
TWELVE
Merrick
I’m dripping with sweat as I pull the lawn mower back into the building. I thought getting an early start I could beat the heat, but I was kidding myself. This is June in Georgia. It might be early summer, but it’s still hot as hell.
My cell rings, and I dig it out of my pocket. I grin when I see Courtney’s name. “Hey,” I greet her.
“What are you doing today?”
“I just finished mowing the yard.”
“Ugh, one of the perks of renting. The landlord takes care of that. I got lucky.”
“That you did. What’s up?”
“Well, Chloe called and wanted to see if we wanted to have dinner with her and Rodney tonight. I wasn’t sure if you had plans, and if you don’t want to go, I can tell her you’re busy regardless,” she rambles.
“I want to go.” I’m not just blowing smoke up her ass. I do want to go. I didn’t see her last night. She worked late with Jordyn, doing inventory at the boutique, and I worked late as well. We were both exhausted, so we went to our own places. I haven’t laid eyes on her since Monday at her family’s Memorial Day cookout. We’ve texted and talked on the phone, but I’ve not seen her in the flesh. I was starting to wonder if last weekend was too much for her. If her drunken request—even though she swears she was sober—has her pulling herself away from me. She’s hesitant and giving me an out, so I think a little bit of that is what’s going on here.
“You do?”
