Page 161 of Power Play

I shook my head gently. “Then use the six days.”

She looked down.

The silence stretched between us while the suitcase waited open in the bedroom and the clock moved another minute closer to morning. Charm finally pulled the jacket completely closed.

Watching her cover herself hurt more than I expected.

She walked toward the door, and I followed. Her hand reached for the knob before she stopped.

“Are you really going to let me leave like this?”

The question almost fucking ended me.

I came up behind her but didn’t touch her. “If I ask you to stay, I’m going to fuck you.”

Her shoulders went still.

“Right now, I don’t trust myself to stop twice.”

Charm turned slowly until our eyes met.

For several seconds, neither of us moved.

Then I cupped her face.

She leaned into my palm immediately, and that tiny instinct nearly destroyed every decision I had made. My body knew how to close the distance. My heart wanted to believe holding her tightly enough could protect both of us from what waited outside this apartment.

I lowered my forehead to hers. “Go home, mi hada.”

The mi returned without me planning it.

Charm’s eyes filled again. “I hate this.”

“So do I.”

“I hate you leaving.”

“I know.”

“I hate that you’re right about some of it.”

My mouth almost curved. “Only some?”

“Don’t push it.”

I breathed a quiet laugh while her fingers curled loosely around my wrist.

“I don’t think you’re that kind of man.”

“The puck-bunny kind?”

She winced. “I’m sorry.”

“I know.”

“I really am.”

“I know that too.”