Page 71 of Family Bonds- Gabriela & Luca

Something he’d never experienced with a woman before.

In the past, he had to be the strong one. The one making all the decisions.

He didn’t mind it. He shouldered it well.

Until his life was vacant, and with no one to watch over or take care of, everything felt emptier than before.

Maybe being equals was the way to go. Guess he was going to find out.

She gave him one more kiss, then reached for his open pants and fastened them while he took care of the buttons on his shirt.

He sat on her bed to get his socks on. She grabbed her little bag she’d brought over with her, stuffed her dirty clothes fromyesterday in there, along with her nude pumps that he’d like to see on her again, then said she was ready to go.

“Can I say I like how fast you get ready? I would have beat you if I didn’t have so many buttons to contend with.”

“This one is a little loose,” she said, touching it with her finger. “I might have been impatient last night.”

He laughed. “Oh, you were.”

She shrugged and moved past him, found her sneakers, slipped them on, handed him his suit jacket and he guessed that was their cue to leave.

Didn’t seem she had to do much in her place before she walked away from it again for God only knows how long.

There didn’t seem like there was much food here. He’d gone looking for something in the fridge last night and had only found water. There were at least a few boxes and bags of snacks not opened. One that they emptied and she threw in the trash.

“Let’s go. If you want, I can sit in the car while you grab your bag and check out.”

“I can check out on my phone, so I’ll do that once I’m in the room, then it’s just tossing the keycard in the trash. You don’t have to wait outside, it’s cold.”

“But if I do, then we can be in the drop off and pick up zone and you don’t have to park and walk.” Her finger went to her head. “See. Smart.” The elevator door was opening as she shut her door. “Run and hold it for me.”

He did as she said, his hand on the opening for her to climb in. No one else seemed to be moving around this early. Probably for the best.

Maybe she wouldn’t want anyone in her building to know she’d spent the night with a guy.

They got to his car in the garage, climbed in, and when he pulled out, she stopped at the gate and held up her phone to release it.

The minute they got to the hotel, he dashed inside, took care of everything he needed to and was thankful he hadn’t really unpacked more than his comb and toothbrush.

As tempted as he was to change his clothes, he knew damn well she was waiting on him to return, probably clocking him on top of it.

It wasn’t as if he had any of these clothes on long yesterday.

Four hours at the event, an hour before, and then nothing until fifteen minutes ago.

If he told himself that enough, he wouldn’t be skived out by it.

He had to remind himself that he wore his scrubs or clothing sixteen hours during his shifts.

“Wow, okay, that was quick,” she said when he jumped back in his SUV that he’d left running. Her wrist was up, her finger tapping it. “Less than ten minutes.”

He winked at her. “I knew you were timing me.”

“I thought for sure you’d change.”

“I was tempted, but I couldn’t have you giving me crap for taking too long and missing the ferry if we get stuck in traffic.”

She leaned over and waited for him to plant a kiss on her lips.