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“What?” I ask warily.
“Well, clearly I messed up on the first stage of our relationship, so I don’t want the same miscommunication on the second. When will it be okay to assume that you’ll be comfortable getting naked with me?”
Uh. It’s a valid question, particularly given the long-distance nature of things at the moment. “Can I think about it and tell you tomorrow?” I ask softly.
“Of course, baby. It’s not meant to be pressure, but I don’t want you thinking you have to make the first move every time.”
I giggle at that. Lance is not exactly a wallflower. But I know he respects me and that leave a warm feeling in my belly.
“Okay. Night, Lance.” I hang up and sort of float around the hotel room, putting things away for the next week. Not exactly unpacking but sorting the work clothes from the casual and thinking that I should go find some sexy undies sometime this week. There are probably better options down here.
7
Isla
The week flies by as I get used to the bigger office and my new job. There’s a lot more to do here. I’m not an assistant anymore to one manager. Now, I’m in charge of coordinating all the upper management meetings. The ones where people have to travel to get here, so the right people are in the room or on the video calls. Although some of the information is so classified and confidential, in person is required. I was told to start the paperwork on my own secret clearance so all of this would be easier on everyone. How exciting is that? It sounds better than the raft of forms I was given, which will require days to hunt down the relevant information.
Lance and I talk on the phone every evening. I’m trying not to think about how this ends up. Assuming we’re still together because I won’t allow for any other possibility — do I have to give up this job that I’m coming to love quickly to move back north or would Lance relocate here? His sister and best friend are there, right next door, and all his buddies. Or most of them, anyway.
That’s why I’m surprised when there’s a knock on my door late Thursday night. I’m not expecting anyone. I grab my phone in my hand so it’s ready and peek out the security hole. A very tired Lance is lounging against the door frame. Hurriedly, I undothe deadbolt and the chain so I can open the door. “Lance! What are you doing here? I thought you were coming tomorrow night. Is something wrong?” I suddenly have this queasy feeling that there was something he had to tell me in person.
He straightens and pulls me into his embrace. “Nothing’s wrong, Isla. I was going to wait until morning to surprise you, but I needed to see your face.” He pulls back just far enough to scan it and then his lips are on mine. Fiercely and with gentleness all at the same time. I tug him inside the room before we have an audience. Toby greets him with a snort and then goes back to sleep.
I lose myself for a moment in Lance’s kiss. His tongue is laying claim to my tonsils, and it’s decidedly delicious. His strong hands yank my hips closer so my mound is pressed against his growing erection. Lance groans into my mouth and I try to tug him towards the bed.
That must have been his signal because he pulls back just enough to say, “You are entirely too tempting, Isla Reilly. I’m not crashing here tonight, no matter how hard you beg.” He quirks an eyebrow with an expectant expression, as if waiting for my begging to commence.
I smirk instead. “All I want right now are answers.” I tap my fingers on my upper arm like an annoyingly impatient manager.
“There are a few meetings tomorrow to discuss transferring my job down here. You, uh, might hear some references to the thirty-day rule,” he warns me.
“That old chestnut?” I’m about to go off on my favorite corporate rant about antiquated sexist rules when Lance stops me with a finger to my lips.
“It’s a game of chess, baby. The old guard like the rule. It got them the wives that keep them in line and they’re all closet romantics that want the same for the younger employees. Thething is, they can’t very well invoke it if we’re not even living in the same town.”
Oh. “So you’re going to blackmail them into making the transfer so they can feel like they solved a problem that might upend their love boat experience?” I ask dryly, but slightly impressed all the same.
Lance nods. “No pressure though on the thirty days. I think they’ll let it fly for at least forty-five from the time I actually move down here, assuming that works.”
He runs his fingers through his hair, which is getting a bit longer than he usually likes it.
“But, Lance, what about your friends and your sister? Do you really want to move?” I’m anxious that he’s giving up too much too fast here.
Lance just shakes his head. “Nope. It’s going to be fine. Nothing stays the same forever.”
I’m not entirely convinced, but it’s too nice of a gesture to dismiss out of hand. “Maybe you should crash here tonight. I don’t think you should drive any further,” I interject, suddenly noticing how his eyelids are sagging.
Lance’s lips twitch. “I’m not. I’m tempted to lie, but I have a room two floors down.”
Oh. I flush slightly. Lance smiles gently. “I’d better head to it. Breakfast in the morning?”
I nod, thinking that will be another first for us. Even if it is the continental spread they set up at the end of the hallway.
Lance
I shudder when I see the basket of muffins the next morning and steer clear. But I’m proud of myself for borrowing the tray from the coffeemaker to load up on breakfast supplies on myway to Isla’s room. I didn’t mention that this was going to be breakfast in bed, but seeing as how there’s no dining facility in this hotel, it should be implied.
It’s still early because I’m an impatient bastard. And so is my cock when Isla opens the door slowly, looking all warm and tousled.
