Chapter 13 #3
Behind her, Milo chuckled softly. “I hate to say it, but…I did too.”
“I told you it was glorious. You’ll have to video chat with me from your tub when you get back to Seattle so I can live vicariously through you.”
“Yeah, uh…that’s not going to happen. I’m not going to video chat while I’m naked in the tub.” Another laugh. “Actually, I can almost guarantee that I won’t use the tub unless you’re there with me.”
“Aww…but then you won’t get to relax like this.” She let her head fall back against his shoulder even as his hands lazily pretended they were washing her breasts.
“If I’m alone, it’s definitely not going to be like this. Even if you were on my screen. Trust me, I can wait until you’re there with me. I never used the tub before you came to stay, so…”
“That is just so sad. All that wonderful spa-quality space and no one to appreciate it.” She sighed.
“Do I have to be jealous of my own bathtub?” he teased. “Like…should I be worried about if you’re coming to see me or if you’re just there for the tub?”
Reaching up, she patted his cheek. “Silly, silly man. I’d be there for both of you. But you mean more to me, so…”
“Good to know.” He placed a soft kiss on her temple, humming softly. “This is nice.”
“Yes, it is.” Shifting slightly, she sank a little lower under the water. “Sorry about messing with your schedule.”
“What do you mean?”
“Oh, please, Milo,” she said softly. “We both know you had everything planned out—when room service was arriving, when we were going to take a sexy bath, when we’re going to eat dessert…”
“Ha, joke’s on you; there was no plan. I already figured you’d want a bath first—even though you just showered back at the cabin.
I knew it was too big a draw for you. And while I wanted us to eat dinner first before we did any of the things we just did, I really wanted you to take the lead.
I knew you had a rough day, so I wanted tonight to be everything you needed it to be. ”
“Then let me say bravo because you are off to a stellar start. This has all been amazing.” Now it was her turn to hum. “I wanted to hit the stop button on the elevator and do it in there.” She glanced at him over her shoulder. “Have you ever had sex in an elevator? Or a public place?”
“Nope. Never. Sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry! I would have loved to experience that with you for your first time.”
“I know I am going to regret asking this, but…”
“You’re wondering if I’ve ever…?”
“Yes.”
“Not in an elevator, but in the backseat of a car at a public park. It was dark out—after hours, that sort of thing—and a campsite in a tent.”
“Oh.”
“I was young and at the time it seemed exciting. But now? Now I much prefer having privacy, a comfortable bed, and maybe an oversized tub or shower.”
Behind her, Milo shifted, and she knew he was remembering all the sexy things they’d done in his shower and tub back in Seattle.
Things they could recreate right here in this suite tonight.
Their time was running out; he was going to be leaving soon, and she wanted to create as many memories with him as possible. The fact that he planned this night for them was a total surprise, and she loved him for it.
Loved him.
Wait…do I?
“You okay?” Milo asked. “You kind of tensed up there for a second.”
Holy crap! Is that what this is? Is this why I’m so conflicted about him leaving? Because I’m in love?
“Nora?”
“What? Huh?” The sound of his voice startled her out of her reverie, and she accidentally splashed water onto the floor.
He laughed softly. “Seriously, are you okay?”
“Um…yeah. Sorry. My mind wandered, or maybe I was starting to doze because I’m so relaxed.”
Liar, liar, liar!
“We’ve been in here for a little while, and the jets really help you relax…but maybe we should get out and order dinner. We can take another bath later if you want.”
That got her attention. “Two sexy baths? Is that allowed?”
He kissed the tip of her nose before slowly rising to his feet. “You can have anything you want, beautiful girl. Whatever you want, it’s yours.”
Her heart kicked hard in her chest.
I want to have you and my job.
The thought had been playing over and over in her mind for a week, and no matter how much she tried, there was no way to have it all. It was sort of possible—but it still meant them living separately for a lot of the time.
Or…giving up the life she was just creating and stepping fully into his.
“Here,” he said, once again interrupting her thoughts. When she looked up, he was holding up a towel for her, waiting to wrap it around her.
Carefully, she stepped out of the tub and let him do just that. “Thank you.” And when his arms went around her, he kissed her. It was soft and tender and so achingly sweet that it brought tears to her eyes.
Pulling back, she smiled sadly at him. “I’m going to miss this. So much.”
Placing a finger over her lips, Milo shook his head. “Not tonight. No negative thoughts tonight. I want us to only think good things and make it the perfect night. What do you say?”
She wanted to say they were just prolonging the inevitable, but she didn’t.
“I think we can do that,” she whispered, kissing him again.
“Good.”
Stepping away, Milo went and fetched her robe and helped her slide it on before he did the same with his.
“So? What’s on the menu for dinner tonight?” he asked.
Denial and lies with a side of make-believe…
“Are you telling me you and Connor didn’t work up a special menu just for us?” she asked, joining him on the edge of the bed as he read the room service binder.
“There wasn’t enough time. He had already left for the day.”
She rested her head on his shoulder. “Then I would love some comfort food—meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, some veggies, and the chocolate mousse for dessert.”
“That actually sounds delicious. Let’s make it two.”
“Excellent choice!”
He called in their order, poured them each a glass of wine from the bottle he’d set up earlier, and they settled in for their romantic escape from reality.
And much to her surprise, it wasn’t hard to embrace the illusion.