Piper

“Baby, if you don’t hurry, you’re going to be late for your appointment!” West yells from the bedroom.

I’m standing in the bathroom, my muscles so sore, I can barely move. I feel like I went three rounds with Evander Holyfield.

“Yeah,” I grumble.

He must not hear me because, when I look up, he’s standing in the doorway with his arms crossed over his chest.

“You’re going back to bed,” he says with concern.

“West, I can’t cancel. We’re leaving, and who knows when I’ll be able to find someone I like to do my hair? Plus, what would I tell her?”

He moves behind me and wraps his arms around my waist. His chin rests on top of my head, and we stand in front of the mirror, pathetically looking at each other, wishing we had a few more hours of sleep.

“Thoroughly fucked and exhausted might work.”

All I can do is laugh because it’s my own fault I’m hurting today. I gave West permission to fuck me, and he followed through. Only it didn’t stop there. After giving all of myself to him, I couldn’t get close enough. I couldn’t stop touching him, and he felt the exact same way. Who knew anal would bring us that much closer? But it has. It did. There’s no part of my body and soul he doesn’t own.

“I already showered. I have to go.”

He runs his palms over my nipples, and I wince. They ache, too.

“I’m sorry, baby. I was too rough with you.”

“I like it rough,” I tell him. “Now, go sleep for the both of us. I have to get going.”

But West never gets back in bed. Once I’m out, he’s not getting back in until I do. He follows me to the kitchen, hands me a breakfast shake, and walks me to the lobby. I don’t know what I did to deserve this kind of attention, but I love it. Something as simple as walking me to my car makes me feel lucky.

I unlock my car door and climb in, and when I turn the key, nothing. My car hates the hot weather. It never wants to start, and when it does, there’s no guarantee it’ll get me to where I’m going. It’s not even that old, but it’s given up on me. Thankfully, I won’t need a car in Boston.

West stands next to me with his keys dangling from a finger, like he knew this was going to happen. Smiling, he opens my door and places the keys in my hand. “Don’t dent her,” he says.

“You’re sure you don’t have anywhere to be?”

“I’m sure. Just move the seat up, so you can see, and keep two hands on the wheel.”

Once I’m situated, he pulls a booklet from his back pocket and slides it through the window. “Take a look while you get your hair done, and let me know if you see anything you like.”

It’s real estate for Boston. A bunch of condos that look really expensive.

“What’s our price range?” I ask him.

He just smiles, like I shouldn’t worry about dollar signs. But I do. His money isn’t my money. Just because we’re together doesn’t mean I’m entitled to anything in his bank account. I know that’s not how he sees things though.

“They’re all in the right range. I just need you to pick your favorite.”

“What about you? Can we get into a place this fast?”

“They’ll get us in; don’t worry. And I’m good with whatever you like.”

“Are you just saying that because you don’t want me to change my mind? Because I won’t, West. I’m leaving with you, just like I promised.”

He groans and grabs my face, kissing my forehead and then my lips. “I’ll never get tired of hearing that, baby. I know you mean it. I just want to make you happy. You deserve to have whatever you want.”

“I just need you. I’m easy.”

Smiling, he shakes his head. “You’re not easy, Piper. You’re classy as fuck. Now, go get your hair done before you miss your appointment.”

“Okay. I’ll see you soon.”

I back out of the parking space extra carefully and then speed off, just to see West panic a little. He gives me the reaction I was looking for—holding up his hands, yelling to slow down. I listen.

As I pull onto the road, I do a double take of the lot, thinking I see Tilly. But it’s not her, just another leggy blonde walking into the hotel. Like West said she would, Tilly’s gotten bored. I just hope she stays that way.

At the salon, I have a chance to page through the condos, and I’m shocked by what I see. I knew West would want to live comfortably, but the prices of these places are far above what I was expecting.

Most have the same layout and features, but it’s the design that separates them for me. The one I fall for is fully furnished and looks like something out of a Pottery Barn catalog. Sleek yet homey with clean lines and plush fabrics.

I dig my phone out of my purse and fire off a text to West.

Piper: Found it!

West: You’re positive? Has everything you want?

Piper: Yes. The third one. It’s amazing.

West: Done. I’ll call the agent now.

I glance at the pictures again, imagining what it’ll look like once West and I are occupying the space. How we’ll have dinner at the table and watch movies beneath the blankets on the couch. It’s almost too good to be true, but it’s mine. West and Boston are my new beginning. I’ll still have to find a teaching job once we get there, but I don’t think that’s a terrible problem to have.

When I get back to the hotel, a couple of boxes are stacked inside the front door, and suitcases waiting to be filled are in the living room. West comes out of the bedroom and stops dead in his tracks.

“What?” I ask him.

“You look hot,” he says.

“Thank you.”

I still blush from his compliments because I don’t think I’ll ever get used to this gorgeous man wanting me. He could have any woman in the world, yet here he is, packing up his life and moving us both to a new city. And, for that, I can’t stop smiling.

This time, he’s the one asking, “What?” when I can’t wipe the smile off my face.

“Nothing. I’ll help you pack. You should have waited.”

After tossing a couple of things in an open suitcase, he walks over to me and runs his hand over my freshly cut and styled hair. “Does this smile have anything to do with me?”

“Everything.”

“We’re really doing this.” It’s not a question this time; rather, it’s a statement that he’s trying to convince himself is true.

But there’s no reason to doubt us; we have what it takes. Our previous relationships might have failed, but this one has staying power.

“We are,” I whisper.

Tomorrow morning, we’ll load what little we’re taking into his SUV and start our drive up the East Coast. We could easily fly and have someone handle all the boxes and bags for us, but West wants to take an adventure before his first game. Soon enough, he’ll be chauffeured around the city, thrust back into the limelight, and I know he wants one last moment of peace before he starts working again. And I want a moment with him, too, before I have to share him with the world.