Page 95 of What Remains

“I could feel you out here. All that brooding energy slipped under the door and radiated toward me.” She steps aside, keeping the door open while waving me in.

I stare at her long, beautiful legs, then blink my way up her body, not stopping until I land on her glossy lips. “What flavor are you wearing?”

Her smile reaches her eyes as she answers, “Bubble gum.”

I know exactly why she chose that one to wear, and so help me . . . I need a taste.

CHAPTER 31

Easton

“What if someone screams in the movie and your dad overhears and thinks something’s wrong?” Or worse, that we’re in here having sex. I toss the oversized pillows off the couch to make space for the two of us.

“Psh. The walls between suites are basically soundproof, you know that. The hotel didn’t exactly skimp on construction.” She backhands the air instead of swatting my chest like I expected, then drops down next to me. “Thank you for coming, though. I really need this distraction.”

Maybe being here is a bad idea. Who am I kidding? This is a horrible idea. “Sure you don’t want a different kind of distraction?”

She shoots me her signature, Say what? look I’ve come to know well over the years.

“That’s not what I meant, and you know it,” I grumble, fighting a smile.

“Oh yeah? What do you think I thought you meant?”

“That’s a mouthful,” I deflect as she grabs the remote from the coffee table. “I meant a different kind of movie. Like a comedy.”

In truth, whenever I watch one of these darkish-type movies, I always feel depressed after it ends. No clue why. Of course, Gwen doesn’t know this. And she won’t. Because then she’ll watch horror flicks alone or with someone else, and that’s not happening.

“Well, I’m not in the mood for a comedy.”

“Just in the mood to be scared?” I pat my pocket, ready to go for a stick of Spearmint, then remember the pack is empty.

How will I keep my mouth from saying something I shouldn’t? Or, worse, from kissing her?

“I want to be held by you. The movie gives me a reasonable excuse for that to happen without making things awkward.”

“And you want me to hold you because . . .?” I’m on the verge of shamelessly praying she’ll tell me she wants to be in my arms for one reason—just because she likes to be.

She lifts her shoulder, and regardless of whatever she planned on saying, I won’t be hearing the truth from her. I can feel that reality in my bones. “Just frustrated about everything, I guess.” She points to her laptop. “No more new leads today, and I feel useless.”

“Well, I have faith in you and the team. We’ll figure this out. One day at a time,” I promise.

I can be strong for the both of us. Hotspot my strength to her for as long as she needs it.

“Can we pack three days into one to make time go faster so we get to the finish line quicker?”

I take the remote from her and toss it on the table. I don’t think we’ll be watching a movie after all.

“Unfortunately, I can’t speed up time, but I can do the other thing for you.” I take a breath to mentally prepare myself for what’s about to happen. “I’ll always hold you. You don’t need a scary movie as a reason.” I swallow, then rasp, “Now come here.”

Whatever tension she’s holding in her shoulders vanishes, and she visibly relaxes. Her gaze slides from my face to my chest and back up again. “Will I hurt your legs if I sit on you? Your back?”

“No, I’ll be fine.” God help me, I pat my leg, and for whatever reason, that makes her grin from ear to ear. “And you’re smiling because?” I hold out my hand, and she accepts the offer.

“Not want me to?”

I tighten my hold of her hand. “If I could have anything in the world, it’d be your smile.”

“Is that all you want from me?” she whispers.