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Chapter 20
Bottoms Up
Gregor
We sit in the bar downstairs in the hotel and there’s so much tension between us. She looks gorgeous in the loose jumpsuit she has on. I thought it was a maxi dress when she first stepped out of the bedroom. However, from behind, I could see the legs of the outfit and her sexy ass.
I can tell she’s still angry over the situation with her sister. However, sending her back now will sink all my plans and she’ll only get in the way. As I said, my brother couldn’t give me all the details over the phone, but I trust him to handle it.
“Wow, this lamb burger is so good. The beer isn’t bad either,” Chloe says, seeming to finally relax.
“It is pretty good. I had a salad from here yesterday.”
“The food you ordered for lunch was from here?”
“Yeah, you can order up to the room from their kitchen. It was better than I thought it would be. A lot of times the room service sucks, and the hotel bars and restaurants aren’t that much better.”
She chews on a fry as she studies me. I love the puff she’s pulled her hair up into. It puts her features on display and makes her freckles pop.
“You’ve done a lot of traveling over the last seven years. Was it hard being away from your family?”
“At first, I was so homesick, I almost gave up. I think I missed you the most. Clay and Cane would fly into wherever I was after we got things off the ground. That took some of the sting out, but no one could replace you,” I reply.
I guess that was the wrong thing to say. She drops her burger and looks away. I wipe my hands on my napkin, frustrated with myself. I wave the waitress over for a refill on the beers.
“You know, at first, I hated you so much, but still hoped you’d come back. I was in denial. I didn’t think you would really stay away. Then a year turned into two and two into three and by the fifth year, I gave up. My anger won out.”
“Thanks,” I say as the waitress places our beers on the table. I look at the side of Chloe’s face as she refuses to look at me. “I wish I could turn back time. If I would have known you were willing to welcome me back, I would have returned sooner.”
“Yeah, well, we are where we are.” She pauses to sigh, lifting her beer to take a sip. “I have so much on my mind. Do you mind if we talk about something else?”
“Of course, anything you want. How’s the painting going?”
She finally turns to me, and a genuine smile comes to her face. “It’s good. I’m still a little rusty, but it feels good. I can get lost in it.”
“That’s a good thing, right?”
“Yeah, I think it is. I needed the escape, to be honest.”
“If you make a list, I’ll be happy to order you more supplies.”
She tips her head at me with a larger smile. “Thanks. I’ll get that to you tomorrow.”
“Anytime.”
We fall into a comfortable conversation as the beers keep flowing. It’s like old times. I almost forget all the drama for a bit. Hours pass and all I can do is smile at her.
* * *
Chloe
I drop my eyes to the table, trying not to get caught up in his eyes. He hasn’t stopped smiling at me. It’s a sexy, gorgeous smile that’s calling on feelings I shouldn’t have.
“What are you smiling at?”
“You. This. I almost forgot how easy things used to be. I miss this.”
My belly drops. He’s right, this does feel nice. However, I have had a lot to drink so I don’t know if I can trust my judgment at the moment. Memories surface and I find myself smiling too.
