Chapter Thirty-One
Lainey
My passenger door flies open before I’ve even put the car in park, and I jump as Thomas slides into the car.
We exchange brief hellos and then Thomas sinks back into the headrest, his hand wrapping around my thigh as his eyes fall closed. He squeezes my leg as he releases a long slow breath, and to anyone passing by, you’d swear he’d just taken a hit of something.
“Fuck, you’ve had me worried,” he says, opening his eyes to buckle his seatbelt, his gaze zeroing in on my hair. “We’ll come back to this,” he adds with a curious expression. “But first, are you okay?”
What?My own curious expression meets his as I try to decide whether he’s preemptively keeping the topic off his game or if it’s more than that.
“I’m good, thanks. Are you okay? The game—”
Thomas reaches over and presses his finger to my lips, cutting off my words. “Nope. That’s over. Today’s another day. And I want to know about you.” The intensity of his eyes suggests he’s asking about something specific, but I have no idea what he thinks he knows or where it’s come from. Maybe I look like shit? God knows, I feel it.
“I’m fine. Just tired after a late night.”
“You’re fine?” He continues to stare so intently and pointed that I have to look away. “Please, Lainey?”
With his tone full of warmth, I can’t help but look back at him, not even bothering to hide my confusion. “Why do I feel like you know something?” I ask just as a traffic controller frantically waves us off, letting us know we’ve outstayed our welcome.
Waving back, I pull out of the pickup bay as a realization hits me and I groan. “Did Luke call you?”
“I’m not sure he called about you specifically. But he was out in front of your apartment when I called him back.”
“And now you’re here?” A sharp pang radiates through my chest followed by an overwhelming feeling of panic. Thomas is supposed to be mydistraction. I don’t want him turning things back on me and yet, knowing that he cares has my heart pounding.
“Yeah, I’m here. For you. But have you called Luke back? He was pretty worried.”
“We’ve spoken.” I can’t believe I made him that panicked. I’m so stupid.
“Good. Now, do you want to tell me what happened? I want to help.”
I feel his eyes on my face but take a second before I answer. “If you want to help, I know something you can do.”
“Anything.”
I consider how to ask what I want and then an idea comes to mind. “I need to forget, and you’re going to help me.” I throw his words back in his face since it’s the exact thing he once asked of me, then watch out of the corner of my eye as he hesitates.
He opens his mouth to speak—probably argue—but closes it again and sighs. “Okay, where should we go?”
“Well, where are you staying?” I ask, automatically heading toward the city. “Are you back at the same hotel?”
Though I’m not looking his way, I can see Thomas cringe, drawing my attention. “I actually haven’t booked anything yet. I was thinking…your place?” He winks and it’s so adorable that I’d laugh if it didn’t mean I had to tell him about Heath.
“We can’t go to my place,” I state plainly, my focus solely on the road.
“Okay.” He huffs out a strange sound between a sigh and a laugh. “Why?”
“I don’t live alone.”
“So?” He raises an eyebrow, confused.
“So, I, uh…live with a guy and—” Thomas’s eyes widen comically and this time I do laugh, only it’s more out of pain than anything else. “I live with my ex.”
“The guy you just broke up with.”
“Well, it’s been over a month now, but yep, that’s the one.”
“Okay. Umm…I guess it’s not any of my business but, uh…are you hooking up again?”
“No, definitely not. And it is your business. Nothing’s going on, but full disclosure…”
“I’d love that, thanks.” From the way his nose scrunches in disgust I’d say he doesn’t love that at all, but I roll with it anyway.
Taking a deep breath, I try to keep a straight face as I tell him. “We were on and off for a while but have been completely off since the day of the bowling alley.”
“And…” He releases the word so slowly it makes me shiver. Dammit, Thomas. I think I’d prefer it if he was ragey. This version of questioning is freaking me out.
“He wants to get back together. He wants more.”
“Jesus, Lainey.” He runs a hand through his hair, sighing in frustration. And there’s the reaction I expected. “Why are you still living there?”
“Because I’m going away soon, remember?” I raise my brows. “It’s not worth it to find somewhere else for such a small amount of time.”
Thomas frowns before his eyes light up. “I’m putting you up in a hotel.”
What? “This isn’t Pretty Woman.”
“But—”
“No buts. I’m fine. Our situation is fine, but it’s not a good idea to take you home with me.”
“Because he’ll get jealous?” He folds his arms over his chest.
“Or you will.” I shrug. “Either way, it’s easier if we don’t.”
“Tell me this. Is he the reason for Luke’s concern? Did something happen?”
An overwhelming tightness floods my chest as all my problems cycle through my head, giving me a picture of how messed up my life is. And yet, I can honestly say no.
“My ex is annoying me with his ‘we belong together’ crap,”—and screwing someone on our kitchen counter—“but he’d never do anything I didn’t want him to do.”
“Isn’t him saying ‘you belong together’ something you don’twant?”
“Yes.” Dammit. “But it’s not the same.”
Thomas frowns before he shakes his head. “Nope. I’m getting you a hotel room—or do you want a suite?”
“You’re not getting me a room.” I laugh but grab his hand, squeezing it as a way of saying thanks. “I’m fine. I’ve got this. I just want you to decide where to go.”
After he huffs out a loud sigh, Thomas squeezes my fingers back. “Fine, turn left up here. I know a place.” He releases my hand to type something into his phone, and his pouty expression makes me smile. But I know better than to tease him about it.
I get it; I’m in a strange situation, but I didn’t tell him to piss him off or make him jealous. I told him to keep things honest between us, though I don’t need to harp on about it.
When he’s finished typing, Thomas puts his phone away and turns to face me with a smile on his face. I hate to ruin the moment, but I really want to talk to him about the game yesterday. And part of me wants to shift the focus back to him. Away from me.
“So, how are you feeling about the game? I didn’t get to watch but—”
“We’re here,” Thomas announces instead of answering my question, and when I look in the direction he’s pointing, I find one of San Francisco’s most luxurious hotels. I bark out a laugh as I pull in, coming to a stop next to the valet desk.
“So maybe this isPretty Woman, I joke as I take in the crystal chandeliers hanging in the foyer. “You better not have made a long-term booking.”
Thomas laughs as he shakes his head. “I’m not that rich, yet.” He jumps out of the car and runs around to open my door before the valet gets there. “But I can afford a night here and there,” he adds as I step out.
“Well, aren’t you a gentleman?” I play it cool while inside I’m melting. This is exactly the man I always imagined Thomas to be and here we are. Though there’s something different about it.
“I try,” he shrugs, grabbing the keys from my hand and tossing them to the valet as we walk past.
Smiling through clenched teeth, I thank the man and apologize for the state of my car. I’m sure he’s used to parking much more prestigious models, but how was I to know Thomas was going to bring me here.
When we get to the reception desk, Thomas hands over his ID and has a key in his hands seconds later. Without a word, he intertwines our fingers and leads me to the elevator, pressing the button for the top floor when we’re inside.
“I’m guessing that’s what you were doing on your phone?” I ask, backing away from him to lean against the opposite wall, my eyes flashing to the other guest that followed us in.
“It was,” Thomas says slowly, closing the gap between us with a raised eyebrow before making a big show of grabbing my hand again and lifting it to his mouth, pressing a kiss to my fingers. “I thought we needed privacy.”
“Oh yeah?” I swallow, my mouth dry. I’m not used to this public display of affection and it’s giving me butterflies.
“Yeah.”
He smirks, knowing that in this moment he’s got me, and we stare at each other in silence as our elevator companion disembarks on their level. It’s not until we reach our destination that Thomas steps away, motioning for me to go first. “After you.”
As I walk, I feel his presence behind me, the tension creating a buzz around us, and when we get inside, the tension thickens. “Don’t think I didn’t notice how you managed to avoid our talk in the car.” I walk farther into the room, moving away from him to get a clear head. “You still haven’t answered my question.”
Thomas drops the keys to the counter and chuckles, taking a slow step toward me. “I would never expect you to let me off the hook.” He steps closer. “But you didn’t answer mine either.”
“I told you, I’m fine. So…”
“It really fucking sucked, Lainey.” He runs a hand through his hair but continues to erase the space between us. “We were so close and yet…we weren’t.”
“I’m sorry. I wish I’d—”
“There’s a silver lining,” he cuts me off, now standing so close I can feel his breath. “I’m here,” he adds, curling his finger around a lock of my hair, his gaze once again focused on the pink. “Seeing you helps.”
I know exactly what he means. I’ve said the same thing before.
“Good,” I whisper and it comes out breathy. “I’m glad,” I add, my voice clearer. “You need to talk about it and I’m here to listen.”
“Sure…we could do that.” His eyes lock on mine. “Or we could talk about you?”
“Please, Thomas. I promise I’ll talk to you about it. But for now, seeing you helps me too. And I want to forget.”
Thomas closes his eyes briefly as he decides what to do, but before I’ve had the chance to plead again, he sinks his hands into my hair and lightly tugs on the strands. “I love this color,” he says, angling my face toward him as he leans in to whisper, finally moving on. “It suits you.”
His lips brush my cheek, completely distracting me from my issues, and I sigh in relief. This is what I wanted. What we both need.
When he kisses me again, this time at the corner of my lip, one of his hands drops to the hem of my dress as the other holds me in place. With an explorative featherlight touch, he glides his lips along my chin, making his way down to my neck, his fingers following a similar pattern across my legs.
I melt into him, unable to hold back the soft mewl that escapes me, and when he sucks on my skin, my head drops back, giving him better access.
His fingers sneak under my panties, and we collectively groan as he easily slides through my heat. “Fuck, Lainey. You’re so ready for me.” Slipping two fingers inside me, he curls them against my walls while his thumb moves in circles across my clit. The more I pant, the deeper and harder he pumps until I’m a writhing mess, barely able to stay upright.
Releasing my hair, Thomas secures his hand behind my back and holds me against him, allowing me to completely lose myself to his touch.
The sensation pools in my middle, but I try to fight it until it becomes too much. The pressure builds, and when he pumps his fingers inside me again, sparks fly and he sends me spiraling over the edge.
“God, Thomas.”
I call out his name over and over, my body pulsing through my release as he continues lavishing me in attention, his fingers rubbing me until I can’t take it anymore.
I suck in a much-needed breath, coming back down to earth, but I’ve barely stopped convulsing when he drops to his knees, spreading my legs to run his tongue through my center.
A high-pitched moan releases from within me, and while it feels amazing, I want more. I need to have him inside me.
“Stop,” I pant, my voice barely audible as I struggle to catch my breath. As if not hearing me, Thomas continues to lick me, until I push his head away and step back. “Wait, please… While I appreciate all the attention you’ve given me, it’s your turn.”
Thomas’s eyes find mine from his position on the floor, and I swear they darken, especially when I add, “You’ve been waiting long enough.”