Chapter 27
Reality Check
LANIE
I woke to Baz rustling through a bag. The light was breaking through the slight holes in the shades. Rolling over, I spied him packing luggage on the floor.
Confused, I murmured, “Baz, it’s so early. Are we already going? I need to rest.”
“No, darling. I must go back to Germany. We’re still in the thick of unfucking something. I’m so sorry,” Baz said.
I sat up. “Baz, you are running away like eighteen hours into whatever this is.”
“It’s a partnership. I’m still a partner. Trust me when I say I would much rather be in bed with you right now. I will be back at the weekend. Promise. Stay. The room is paid for through tomorrow. You can stay another night.”
“Baz,” I groaned.
“What? I tried, Lanie.”
“So, you’re never coming back?”
“God, no! I will be back here ASAP. Promise. Wait…” A mischievous grin crossed Baz’s face in the low bathroom light that streamed in. “Are you going to… miss me?”
“Maybe. Am I not allowed to miss you?”
“No. I will miss you as well. And when I get back, I will go down on you endlessly to make up for it. But, I have a job. I must do my job.”
I’d be lying if I didn’t say I was disappointed.
The evening before had felt other-worldly.
He left every inch of me quivering and wanting more.
I had never had a man treat me quite so well in bed.
I knew he didn’t love me. I didn’t love him, either, but I didn’t care.
I only wanted him to lust for me and demand I cum.
So, I’d lean into missing him if it meant he was even more giving the next time.
“Okay,” I pouted.
“Oh, stop it, Lanie. You know when you do that it wounds me.”
I smiled slyly. “You don’t have time to go again?”
“No,” Baz said. “Nor does any man on this floating rock have the stamina to match your libido right now.”
“No man? You sure of it.”
“No man that could make you see heaven as I did last night,” Baz said. “I’m worth the wait. I know that for a fact.”
“As am I. But I still want you here. We just got married, Baz.”
He sighed and then sat on the bed. “You are the most utterly infuriating women I’ve ever slept with.”
“And yet every time you rub one out you think about cumming inside me.”
“Or on your ass. Or on your tits. Even better, your face.”
I grimaced.
“I can entertain those thoughts even if you’re not into it.”
“True, but why?”
“No clue. I just think you’d make that face and it would be altogether satisfying to watch. Anyhow, Lanie, I must go.”
He leaned over and kissed me gently. His hand brushed my cheek.
Then, he was gone. I curled in a ball and tried to drift off.
I knew Baz cared. If he didn’t, he wouldn’t have shown up for anything.
But damn I realized now that being Baz’s priority wasn’t easy.
And suddenly, I was no longer just his hot hookup.
I was full-on method acting my way into matrimony. What was it doing to my brain?