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Why did I only kiss her on the head?

TWENTY-SEVEN

DALTON

WHEN THE SCENE IS HOT, BUT IT ALSO MAKES YOU GO “AWW…”

Sleep had evaded me for hours after I’d shown Ari to the guest room—to her room. She didn’t know it yet, but there was no way I was letting her go back to sleeping on a couch, or at least not for long. Not when I had an apartment that was far too large for just myself.

The only reason I lived in the Museum Building was because of my dad. He was in the other apartment on this floor. Not that I ever saw him. When he told me about the spot after my breakup, I thought it would be a good way for us to spend more time together, maybe do dinners like I did with Mom.

But I’d been here for months and had yet to even see him in the building.

I released a huff of breath, kicking off the sheets I’d managed to tangle up in my legs from all the tossing and turning I’d done. If I thought falling asleep to thoughts of Ari was hard, it was an entirely different ball game knowing she was across the hall, sleeping under the same roof.

I’d gotten up a dozen times tempted to ask her to join me in my bed.

The glow from my alarm clock was the only thing visible through the blackout curtains. The clock read seven in the morning, which was pretty late for me to just be waking up, even for a Saturday.

Groaning, I sat up in bed, my body protesting the shift, and quickly realized that walking around in just my briefs wasn’t exactly an option with Ari here. Swearing under my breath, I grabbed a pair of sweatpants, half-scowling at the morning wood I’d have to deal with before I faced her. Resigned, I reached for my phone, unable to resist any longer, and typed out a quick text.

Me:

Morning, Sunshine. How’d you sleep?

I stared at the screen, feeling ridiculous, like a teenager with a crush.

The nerves ratcheted up higher, waiting for Ari’s response. What if she’d already left?

Ari:

What the hell is this bed made out of? Angel wings? I’ve never slept in anything so soft.

Ari:

You should shave your legs just so you can rub them back and forth on these sheets. I’m telling you, it’s like heaven.

I laughed, realizing I hadn’t woken up like this in years—grinning, even if it was just at my phone. I was addicted to her sense of humor and that perfect mix of ball-busting and unhinged. For all the money in the world, I’d never be able to guess what she’d say next.

There were some things I’d like to hear her say, though.

Ari:

Want breakfast?

I smirked, knowing exactly how I was going to answer that question.

Me:

Yeah, I can think of something I’d like to eat this morning…

My dick twitched like a damn puppy that needed attention, as if I could forget that I still had that little problem to take care of.

The guest bedroom door flung open, and I heard the light patter of bare feet approaching my room. But then…silence.

“You gonna knock or stand there all morning, Ari?” I yelled, standing up and adjusting myself under the sweats.

“Well, what’s the point of knocking now?” she called back.