“How so?” Now his eyes are glued to mine, listening intently.

“Because I always said that it was on my terms, so it was okay. I was content with that until I met the one that I’d be with forever. And I believed that.”

“But you don’t believe it now?”

“I don’t know,” I reply, frustrated now. “The sex with you is great, Simon. I won’t pretend otherwise. But what you’re suggesting is basically that we’ll fuck all weekend and then go our separate ways.”

“That’s not what I suggested,” he says and shakes his head. “You didn’t listen well on the day about communication.”

“How am I wrong?”

“I asked you to stay. You assume that means that all I want is a weekend of sex.”

“I just told you that I don’t want something long term.”

“Bloody Jesus,” he mutters and paces my room, rubbing his mouth with his fingers. “Sex doesn’t have to be a part of the equation.”

“Right.” I snort and cross my arms. “Because we’re so not attracted to each other. You’ve undressed me with your eyes at least a dozen times since you’ve been in my room.”

“It’s not a difficult task, darling; you’re practically naked already.”

“Granted.” I nod and sit on the edge of the bed. “So you just want to hang out all weekend?”

“Why not?” he replies and shoves his hands in his pockets. “I’ve enjoyed talking with you and spending time with you. I want more of that.”

“And no sex,” I reply dryly.

“If you prefer it that way,” he says with a shrug. “I want nothing more than to fuck you for days, but if that makes you uncomfortable, we can take it off the table. I’m not an asshole.”

“No,” I agree and watch him for a moment. “You’re not.”

“I’ll pay to have your ticket changed,” he offers.

I bite my lip and consider him. I can call and let the pilot know that I won’t need him for a couple more days, but I don’t feel comfortable yet telling Simon that I have access to a private jet, so I just shake my head and reply, “That’s not necessary.”

“Is that a yes?”

“I have to leave Sunday afternoon so I can be at work on Monday. I’ve left my shop for too long as it is.”

“Did you buy the red heels you were wearing tonight at your shop?”

“Of course.”

He grins, a wide Cheshire cat smile. “Charly?”

“I’ll stay.” And I’ll enjoy every minute of him, then go home and move on.

“Excellent.” His eyes are hot as they travel over my body.

“Sex doesn’t have to be off the table.” I smirk and stand, facing him. “I’m not a teenager. Let’s enjoy the weekend. But don’t play mind games with me, Simon.”

He scowls and takes my hand in his, then raises my fingers to his lips. “It hurts my heart that you’ve had the kind of past experience that makes you need to give me that warning.”

Oh God, this could be a bad idea.

The butterflies are back in my stomach and I feel my cheeks flush with pure lust. The things this man does to my body are insane.

“There’s no love here,” I reply softly. “But there will be respect and honesty, or I’m out the door.”

“Deal,” he says. “Both ways.”

“Of course.”

He slowly sinks his fingers into my hair at the nape of my neck and leans into me. “Thank you, Charly.”

“Thanks for the invitation. Are we going to keep separate rooms?”

“Hell no,” he says with a grin. “We’ll move you into mine.”

“Why yours?”

“Because it’s bigger, and I’m staying longer than you.”

“Good reasons.” I can’t breathe with him this close to me. He could have suggested that we’d be staying in a yurt and I would have agreed. “Should we move in now?”

“Fuck no, we’re going to take that shower.”

***

“You are a popcorn hog,” I accuse Simon as we leave the movies the next evening. We saw the latest Marvel superhero movie, which I love.

“I am not,” he replies and takes my hand as we walk out to the car. He’s very affectionate and chivalrous, which is new to me. He always holds my hand, opens doors, and a whole host of other manners that I didn’t even know existed outside of my own family.

He’s dangerous for me, because I can’t have him and I feel more for him than I ever did Ryan. Or for anyone, now that I think about it.

“You ate plenty of the popcorn,” he continues.

“No, I just stopped putting my hand in harm’s way. I thought for sure you might take it off.”

“Okay, drama queen,” he says with a laugh. “What now?”

“I have a sweet tooth,” I reply. “Let’s stop somewhere for dessert.”

“My pleasure.”

We find an ice cream place in town that’s open late, so we stop in and each order a sundae, then find a table to enjoy our treats.

“What does cupcake ice cream taste like?” Simon asks me as he spoons up his chocolate.

“Here.” I hold my spoon up to his lips and watch as he takes the bite and nods.

“Good.”

“Yeah.” I clear my throat and shift in my seat. “You have a sexy mouth.”

“Keep talking like that,” he says and takes another bite of his own ice cream. “I dare you.”