As I lie in his arms, I stare at the ceiling. The sun is just now starting to rise and yet I’m wide awake. Yesterday comes rushing back to me. All I wanted to do was see Mike. I wanted him to wrap his arms around me and tell me everything was going to be okay. Sure, I knew my job was coming to an end, but it’s still a chapter of my life that’s changing. I’ve never been much on change, happy with where life was taking me. I didn’t expect the welcoming I got, though honestly I don’t know what I expected. I was sure he wouldn’t push me away, but the relief, the need, that was unexpected.
“Morning, beautiful,” his sleepy voice rumbles from behind me. I feel his lips press against my bare shoulder.
“Morning.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, just thinking about stuff. I am unemployed now, you know.”
“You don’t need to work if you stay here with me.”
“Mike, come on.” He mentioned me staying here for the next two weeks last night and I readily agreed, but this sounds like something else altogether.
“I want you here,” he says, kissing my shoulder again.
I roll over to face him. “You have me for two whole weeks. What are you going to do with me?”
He grins. “I may have an idea or two, but first, I’m serious, James. I want you here. For two weeks, two years, two decades, the rest of our lives. Whatever I can get, I want it with you.”
What do I say to that? His words melt me to my core and I want to tell him I’ll never leave, but that’s not the real world. No, I have my family and a career in Chicago—at least I did. I’m sad that this chapter is ending and another is beginning, but this is my chance to seek out the career I always envisioned. Maybe even running a department. The change causes unease, but it’s what I’ve always wanted.
It’s all falling into place, all except for Mike. I didn’t plan to meet him that weekend. No way could I have planned for the attraction I felt toward him. Only now, that attraction is something else entirely. Something more.
“What do you want to do today?” he asks.
“Don’t you have to go into the bar?”
“Not right away. Liv was there yesterday and has it under control.”
“I really need to call Whit.”
“Why don’t we grab some breakfast, and then we can go surprise her?”
“I think I like the sound of that.” I kiss the corner of his mouth.
He tightens his hold on me. “We have to get up and get moving now.” He kisses me, his tongue tracing my lips.
“We have time,” I say against his lips.
“Nope.” He pulls back. “Now or we won’t be leaving this bed.” He swats me on the ass and climbs butt-ass naked out of the bed to walk to the bathroom, leaving the door open.
I climb out of bed to gather my things to go next and realize my clothes are still out in my car. “Hey,” I say, walking into the bathroom. I’ve slipped his shirt back over my head. “Would you mind running out and grabbing my bags from the car once you’re dressed?”
“I don’t know.” He peeks his head around the shower curtain. “If I don’t, does that mean I keep you naked”—his eyes rake up and down my body—“or in my shirt for the next two weeks?”
“I can go out there like this, I just didn’t want to embarrass you if someone drives by and sees a half-naked girl in your driveway.”
“No,” he practically growls. “I’ll get them. Where are your keys?”
I watch as he tilts his head back and rinses the shampoo from his hair, the suds sliding across his rock-hard body. The shower curtain pulls open, breaking my trance.
“Keys?” He smirks.
Busted. “I… uh, I don’t know exactly. I’m assuming in the living room somewhere.”
He grins. “I’ll find them. Towels are in the closet. We should run to the store and get your shower stuff so you have it here.” He says it like it’s the most normal idea as he runs the towel over his head.
“Yeah, I have some in my bags.”
“Still, I think we should.” With that, he throws the towel in the hamper and walks out of the room.
Looking at my reflection in the mirror, I see happiness and his shirt. I lift it to my nose and sniff; it smells like him. It’s a smell I’ve come to crave. Stripping it over my head, I climb into the shower. I’ve just finished lathering my hair with his shampoo when he walks back into the room.
“You want me to dig out your stuff?” he asks.
“No, I can use yours today.”
“You’re going to smell like a man.”
“No, I’m going to smell like you.” I hear what I think is a mumbled “fuck me” and then silence.
Peeking around the curtain, I see that he’s no longer in the bathroom. I smile, knowing my words got him. I know him just as well as he knows me. He’s trying to keep his hands off me and for now, that’s what needs to happen. I really do need to go see Whit, and I’m starving since we skipped dinner last night. I also want him to go to the bar tonight. I don’t want him changing his life just because I showed up unannounced on his doorstep.
Quickly I finish my shower and dry off. The bedroom is quiet, but my bags are on the bed waiting for me. I rummage around until I find an outfit and my toiletries, then head back to the bathroom to get ready for the day.
I find him in the living room, remote in hand, staring at the TV. Looking up, his blue eyes sparkle. “Ready, darlin’?”
“Yes. I’m starving. Where are we going?”
“The diner. Have you eaten there?”
“I don’t think so.” He holds his hand out for me and I take it. We stop by the front door, where he grabs his wallet, phone, and keys, and we’re off. “Where’s my car?” I ask when I see the empty driveway.
He guides me across the driveway and toward the detached garage. “Garage.”
“You don’t have to do that. I don’t park in the garage at home.”
He shrugs. “The only thing in there is the lawnmower. I moved it over and your car fits perfectly. No sense in it being outside when we have a garage you can use.”
We? I want to say something, but I decide against it. He’s made it clear that he wants me here. I don’t even think he realizes that’s how he said it.
“Oh my,” I say, placing my hand over my mouth as I chew. It’s rude as hell to talk and eat with my mouth full, but damn these pancakes are literally melting in my mouth.
“Good?” Mike asks.
“Heaven,” I say after swallowing the huge bite.
“The pancakes are good, but this?” He points to his plate of biscuits and gravy with a side of bacon. “This is the best thing on the menu.”
“I’m going to have to disagree with you on this one.” I take another big bite.
“You can’t argue until you’ve tried it.” He scoops a big bite on his fork and holds it out for me. I swallow, take a sip of water, and lean in to take the sample he’s offering. My eyes connect with his and I literally feel the heat from his stare. “Well?” His voice is raspy.
“Mmm, good, but mine are better.” I cut off some and offer it to him, even though I know he’s already had them.
He doesn’t disappoint as he leans in and takes a bite. “Mine,” he says with conviction.
I don’t think we’re talking about food anymore. We’re interrupted by the waitress asking if we need refills and the spell is broken. I’m in over my head here; nothing in my experience has ever felt like this. Deep-seated attraction, the need to just be with another person. It’s all-consuming. We make small talk through breakfast nothing too heavy, but the lingering attraction is there. It always is with us.
“You ready?” he asks once we’re in the truck.
“Yes, but are you sure I shouldn’t call first?”
“Promise. She’s going to love the surprise.”
I watch as he furrows his brow.
“What are you thinking?”
“Maybe we should wait a day or so to tell her you’re here.”
“What?” I laugh. “Why? She’s not going to be mad, Michael.”
Reaching over the console, he laces his fingers through mine. “I know that. But once she finds out you’re here, she’s going to monopolize all of your time. I selfishly want you all to myself.”
“You’re good for my ego,” I tease him.
“Just telling you how I feel.”
“I’m sure she’ll have some wedding stuff to do, but I promise to come to your place every night,” I say as we pull into the long lane that leads us to Whit and Aaron’s place.
He looks over at me. “That’s more than I could ask for.”
We pull up outside of the house and climb out of the truck. Mike holds his hand out and I readily accept it as we walk up the front porch. Raising my hand, I push the doorbell. I hear Aaron yell out that he’ll get it. When he opens the door, his eyes widen.
“Are you okay?” he asks.
“Yes.”
He smiles. “Whit, baby, can you come here,” he yells over his shoulder.
“What’s going—” She stops when she sees Mike and me standing in the foyer. I watch as realization washes over her and she squeals. “Eeeek!” She rushes me and throws her arms around me in a hug. I hug her back. I miss my best friend. “What are you doing here? Is everything okay?” She steps out of our hug and stands on tiptoes to kiss Mike on the cheek, stepping back into Aaron’s waiting arms.
Mike slides his arm around my waist and pulls me to him. “She showed up last night.”
Whit’s eyes find mine. “You good?” she asks again.
“Yeah. Are we interrupting anything?”
“Never, I was just folding laundry. Come in.” She grabs my hand and pulls me to the living room. I hear Mike and Aaron laughing behind us. “Spill,” she says once we’re sitting on the couch, facing each other. I spend the next twenty minutes explaining what brought me to Kentucky on a whim. She glances over her shoulder to where the guys are sitting at the kitchen island. “You’re in love with him.”
I shrug. “I care about him, more than anyone else I’ve ever dated, but I can’t really say.”
“You moving here?” she asks.
“No. I’m here early for the wedding. I’ll go home after that and decide what to do.”
“You’re staying with him while you’re here?”
“Yes. He asked me to and… that’s where I want to be,” I admit.
“I just worry about you and him. I worry about both of you getting hurt.”
“I think we’re past that point. I know hurt is inevitable. I’m in too deep.” Looking over my shoulder, I find his eyes and they soften. “We both are.”
“You could stay.”
“You know I can’t.”
“That’s bullshit and you know it.”
“My parents, my career. Now’s my chance, Whit. I’ve always wanted to branch out to a bigger firm. My loyalty lay with Mr. Warren, but now… now it’s time to pursue the career I’ve always dreamed about.”
“What do you ladies want to do today?” Aaron asks as he and Mike join us in the living room. I watch as Aaron picks Whit up and takes her spot, sitting her on his lap. Mike slides in next to me.
“Mike and I are going to the bar for a while. I want to see where the magic happens.” I waggle my eyebrows and Whit bursts out laughing. “You have any last-minute wedding stuff you need help with?”
“No, it’s all good. We’re ready.” She looks at Aaron and smiles.
“Good. Well, I’m here if you think of anything. Might as well put me to work while I’m here.”
“You all coming to Sunday dinner?” Mike asks them.
“We are now,” Whit tells him.
“Good, we’ll see you then.” He stands from the couch and holds his hand out for me. I put mine in his and allow him to pull me from the couch.
Whit jumps up and wraps me in a hug. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
“Me too. This one needs to work this week, so can we get together sometime?”
“You can count on it,” she assures me, then turns to Mike. “Take care of her.”
His eyes lock on mine. “You can count on it.”