Page 15 of Parting Shot

“Why not?” I shrugged. “You like me, right?”

“I do.”

“Same here,” I said bluntly. “When I’m with you, I feel really good. I want that.”

He shook his head.

“What’s wrong?”

“You don’t believe in games? Just don’t play them?”

I shrugged. “Why? This is new, and I haven’t screwed it up yet, and you’re looking at me like I’m special. Let’s go with that.”

He studied me.

“Oh my God, what?”

“You don’t worry that I’ll lose interest in you without the mystery?”

I met his gaze. “Are you bored?”

“No.”

“What do you want?”

“To spend time with you.”

“Well, there ya go.” I chuckled. “So, we’re on the same page, and you’re still into me—at least so far.”

“So far,” he said, his voice husky.

Everything blurred for a second, and I squinted until my vision cleared.

“Maybe you should lie down.”

“Maybe,” I agreed.

He was there fast, his arm around me, and I leaned as we walked into the bedroom.

“This suite is, like, a million dollars a night, huh?”

“Yes,” he said, and I could hear the smile in his voice as we crossed from the doorway to the bed. He tore back the covers and then eased me gently down onto it.

“I take it back,” I groaned, letting my arms fall open, my legs too, the California king able to accommodate all of me, even stretched out. “You’re trying to kill me.”

“No,” he sighed, taking a seat beside me as my eyes fluttered shut. “I promise you, that’s the very last thing on my mind.”

“This might not have been the best idea,” I managed to get out. “I think I might pass out on you.”

“That’s fine. Go right ahead.”

And I was going to argue, but the bed felt so good and soft, and I exhaled and assured myself I would rest just for a minute.

Something smelled amazing. My eyes fluttered open, and I found a bemused Aaron Sutter sitting beside me in a T-shirt and sleep shorts.

“Crap,” I groaned.

He did a curious thing then—bent and kissed me.