Chapter 7
Chapter Seven
CATO
Ugh.
I don’t want to be awake. I don’t want it to be morning. I don’t consent to it being Sunday. I drag my hands through my hair, scratching at my scalp. Tigo is sleeping soundly next to me, but I know today will be rough for him too.
Last night was beyond nice. No sex, just cuddling while watching movies and talking through them. We ordered room service and ate cheesecake naked, then fell asleep while trying desperately not to.
Now it’s over. In a few hours, I’ll be sitting on a plane, leaving the best thing to happen to me in a long time.
Possibly ever. I haven’t stopped thinking of his impulsive request to move here.
It would be ridiculous to do that after knowing someone for two days.
I still have to wrap up the fallout of my relationship with Kyle.
I laugh softly to myself. That seems like a million years ago.
Kyle is nothing but a breakup in a long string of them.
I guess rebounds do work. Is that what this is though?
I always thought of it as a one-night thing.
Or purely sex-focused, but Tigo and I connected on a level I refuse to believe isn’t legit.
I just don’t know what to do with that information.
“Morning,” Tigo whispers, his voice still dripping with sleep.
“It is.”
He moans softly, burying his face into my side. “Damn, you always smell good.”
I stroke his hair. “Thanks.”
“Don’t be sad.” He kisses my side. “It’ll work out. I believe it. I have to.”
I nod, even though he isn’t looking at me. “I’ll try.”
After pulling ourselves up, I check the time on my phone.
“What time is your flight?”
“Eleven. I thought about seeing if I could change it, but…”
Tigo nods. “It would just drag it out.”
“Yeah.”
“Can we stay in touch? Even just as friends?”
“Of course. I’d like that.” I bite my lip, taking in the gorgeous man. “Thank you, Tigo. For everything. This weekend was incredible.”
“For me too. Thanks for trusting me.”
“Easy.” I exhale. “I guess I need to pack.”
“Yeah. I’ll get out of your way.”
“Can I see you before I go to the airport? Just to say goodbye.”
“Of course. I’m in room 105. It’s near the lobby.”
“I’ll swing by.”
“See you soon.” Tigo kisses me, lingering on my lips before pulling away.
Once he’s gone, I sit on the bed, wondering how I’m going to get over this. I pack my things, my thoughts and mood heavy. To think this trip was about trying to find the magic again with Kyle but turned into finding much more with a stranger. Weirdly, Kyle did me a huge favor.
Now, how do I get over someone I’ve known for a weekend?
An hour later, I make my way to Tigo’s room. When I knock, he pulls the door open so fast I barely finish.
“Hi.”
I smile. “Hi.”
“I wrote my number down for you. Call or text anytime.”
“I’ll text from the airport so you have my number too.”
“Good. Listen, Cato. Maybe I’m crazy, but I don’t believe this is the end. Maybe we’ll only be friends, which is my second choice, but I’ll take that too. I just can’t accept that you were only part of my life for two days.”
My stomach flutters. “I want to believe that too.”
He cups my face, stepping closer as he plants a kiss on me so deep I feel it in my toes.
I wrap my arms around him, holding him as close as possible.
His kisses make me feel like my feet have left the ground.
His fingers in my hair, the hard ridge of his cock pushing into mine, and his mouth—so sweet and warm—exploring mine leave me breathless and my legs weak.
Tigo breaks the kiss but continues to hold me, pressing his forehead to mine. “Let me know you got home okay.”
“I will.”
“If you’re ever back in San Diego, you know where to find me.”
Slowly, I pull myself away, turning back to see him watching me. I check out, waiting out front for the car I called. There’s one small flamingo bobbing in the fountain, bringing a sad smile to my lips.
And just like that, the magical weekend is over.