15. Veronica
15
Veronica
Blair: So Miles told me that you guys stopped early for the night. How are you feeling?
Ronnie: Yeah, it was a little scary for a moment there when the tire popped, but we’re safe for the night. Or at least as safe as one could be at a motel in the middle of nowhere.
Blair: Wait, you guys popped a tire? Miles just told me you guys stopped early because of the rain. WTF?!
I shake my head and let out a soft sigh. Of course Miles wouldn’t want to worry his sister.
“Time for some damage control,” I say softly to myself as I type.
Ronnie: Men! No, but seriously, it sounds scarier than it was.
Blair: Well, I’m glad you’re both safe, even if you are in a sketchy motel. At least you have Miles for protection. If anything, he’ll likely station himself right outside your door to make sure nobody gets in. At least, that’s what I imagine he’d be doing if I were there.
My eyebrow tilts upward. Did he also not tell her that we’re sharing a room?
Okay, so it’s not a big deal. It’s just a room. A room with only one bed in it, but we’re mature adults. It’s not like either of us is going to insist the other person sleeps on the floor. In all likelihood, I imagine Miles suggesting he take that spot, but that’s not going to happen if I have anything to say about it.
I should tell her the truth, but if it wasn’t a big enough deal for him to mention, maybe I don’t need to bring it up either. Sure, Blair and I share everything, but I know her well enough to know she’d likely blow this out of proportion.
Who knows? Maybe I’m the only one overthinking this. Instead of replying, I place my phone on the bedside table and reach for the remote, eager to drown out my overactive imagination with the familiar hum of the television. Unfortunately, the screen remains stubbornly blank, a field of white noise and gray squiggles no matter how many times I try to change the channel. So much for a distraction.
Maybe I should be careful what I wish for, as I’m given one in the form of Blair’s older brother who saunters out of the bathroom. A sheepish grin spreads across his face, the fresh scent of soap and steam following after him. He’s wrapped in only a towel, much like I had been earlier, but where mine had covered my chest, his is entirely bare, the towel sitting around his hips, and leaving much of his muscular legs exposed. It’s also resting provocatively low, and I become all too aware once again that he has those sexy-ass lines that point downward like a beacon toward his cock—and that’s exactly where my eyes go.
“Sorry,” he apologizes, as my eyes quickly dart back to his, completely glossing over the fact that his well-sculpted body is on full display for me to admire. “One would think I’d have learned after you had to come out half-dressed earlier, but I also forgot to grab my clothes,” he explains, his cheeks flushing as he heads over to his duffle bag and rummages through it for his pajamas.
I know I should show him the same level of respect and privacy he gave me earlier, but I’m completely captivated. My eyes are drawn to the smooth curves of his sculpted back. Is a back supposed to look that sexy? Because in his case, it looks absolutely immaculate.
“No problem,” I manage, and I genuinely mean it. I’m savoring this view, and although I should feel guilty, that feeling is overshadowed by a warm shiver of delight. My body ignites with pure desire as my eyes continue to drink him in.
Fortunately, he appears completely oblivious to my prying eyes as he heads back into the bathroom to change.
As he moves out of sight, I lift my hands to my warm and flushed cheeks. Is it hot in here, or am I just being a complete and total creep? Letting out a breath of air, I push myself off the bed and walk over to the sink, where my toiletries are already scattered around.
“Pull yourself together, woman,” I silently scold as I stare at my reflection in the mirror, willing my flushed cheeks to go back to their normal color, and fast.
The bathroom door opens, and my close proximity catches Miles off guard, his eyes widening as he sees me standing there. My gaze betrays me once more as my eyes trace the length of his body all over again. Is this man for real? He went from a towel to a pair of gray sweatpants. There is no way he isn't trying to mess with me. All he needs is a backward baseball cap, and I’d be climbing all over him.
“Oh, sorry. Did you need...?” he trails off, pointing over his shoulder toward the bathroom behind him.
“Um, no,” I say, quickly shaking my head. “I was, uh, just finishing brushing my teeth,” I lie, grabbing my discarded brush from earlier, even though I had actually done that already after my shower.
I’ve already done everything I needed to do to get ready for bed, but how do I explain that to him? ‘ Oh, you know, I was just trying to suppress my body’s reaction to seeing yours in nothing but a towel.’ But nope. Sorry, that’s not happening, which is saying something since I usually just blurt out whatever ridiculous thing comes to mind.
“Oh, okay,” he says. While I wouldn’t say he looks like he doesn’t believe me, there’s still something weird going on with him too—something I can’t quite figure out.
He scoots past me, giving me a wide berth as he heads back toward his bag and grabs his own packed-up toiletries.
With my body still feeling incredibly warm, I move to check the thermometer on the wall, which reads seventy-five degrees. For all I know, that could very well be the temperature in here, but it definitely feels hotter. Or it could be the fact that I’ve gone out of my way to dress in my least sexy pair of pink flannel pajamas, which have teddy bears and bows on them.
While I’d normally never wear this set in front of anyone other than Blair, it felt like the safest option. Given the hurry I’d been in to pack, most of what I brought along was lingerie that had been carefully selected for my honeymoon. While a part of me longs for him to see me in the same light that I’m currently seeing him, I’m not so sure that’s a good idea right now, especially since I imagine Miles isn’t looking to see that much skin.
Sure, he got a little sneak peek of me in them the other day, but that was likely one of the more modest pairs, or maybe I’m just once again overthinking it. He clearly isn’t afraid to show off a little skin. He doesn’t even seem worried that I’m seeing him shirtless, but then again, why would he? I highly doubt he ever thought he’d need to worry about his little sister’s best friend checking him out, yet here we are.
For good measure, I turn the dial down and the old air conditioner near the window sputters to life with a loud, mechanical growl that fills the room. If I’m going to be expected to sleep next to the sexiest man in the world, then I need that air, and I need it quick.
“So,” Miles starts, his eyes finding mine through the large mirror before he sets his toothbrush down and turns to face me. “What’s the plan for tonight?”
“Well, I was figuring it would include us both getting some much-needed rest,” I cheekily reply, sending him my most innocent smile as I take a seat on the side of the bed I’d already claimed while he showered.
“Okay, smartass,” he scowls, folding his arms across his tanned chest while leaning against the counter. “I was referring more to the sleeping arrangements.”
“What’s there to figure out? It’s a king-size bed. We can both fit.” I shrug, doing my best to act like this isn’t freaking me out as much as it is. Earlier, I’d brushed off the idea, telling myself it was no big deal, but now, with the reality of it looming, I can’t ignore the nervous flutter in my chest. My body aches to be near his, and though this arrangement should be exactly what I want, it’s actually quite terrifying.
“And you don’t think it will be awkward?” he asks, his eyes studying mine way closer than I feel comfortable with.
“Not unless we make it weird,” I say, averting my gaze and reaching for the lotion I’d placed on my bedside table, then pouring some into my hands.
“And what do you think Blair would have to say about the two of us sharing a bed?”
“I think she’d want us both to get a good night's sleep and not be weird about it. We’re grown adults. I don’t see what the problem is,” I lie, rubbing my hands together before sliding the lotion up my wrists and arms.
I know exactly what the problem is, especially as the ache between my thighs continues to intensify. My eyes once again catch sight of those lines peeking out from the waistband of his sweats. I know where those lines are leading my gaze, and it’s the very place I know it should never go.
“Alright,” he says, unfolding his arms and pushing himself off the counter. “As long as you’re good with this.”
“I’m good with this,” I lie to both him and myself. What other choice do I have?
Given how uncomfortable I had been the night before, I’m surprised by how refreshed I feel as I wake from my dreamless slumber. I can’t remember the last time I slept this well, which is strange considering how long it took me to finally fall asleep. Perhaps Miles is one of those people that can fall asleep easily, but it didn’t seem like it took long before his breathing changed, leaving me alone to toss and turn.
Even with the covers, or rather the thin sheet discarded from my body, I knew I needed to change as I quietly tiptoed toward my bag to grab a large oversized T-shirt.
After changing, I felt somewhat better, but it definitely took me longer than usual to fall asleep. However, as my eyes slowly open, I become acutely aware of why I feel so damn warm and comfortable.
I’m fucking cuddling against a bare-chested Miles Bennett, my cheek firmly nestled into his chest. I slowly lift my head and take in the sight of my leg carelessly resting over his, my thong-covered ass practically sticking out, his arm holding me close as the soft heat of its embrace warms my back.
At least I’m not the only one who should be embarrassed about this situation, especially as I realize my knee is only mere inches away from his very hard, alert member.
Fuck. Is that seriously what he’s working with?
Then again, what does he have to be embarrassed about? Sure, he’s got some morning wood going on, but I’d be hella proud and showing that thing off too if it belonged to me. Plus, it’s not like I’m the reason it’s risen to attention. That’s just a normal bodily function for men, right?
Needing to extract myself from this embarrassing situation, I do my best to carefully untangle myself from around him, taking extra care not to move his arm and wake him in the process.
While it’s not like I snuggled into him on purpose, it’s also not a conversation I want to have, especially after I was the one who convinced him this was no big deal in the first place.
Finally free, I carefully scoot back off the bed, letting my feet quietly hit the floor as I scurry to where I’d discarded my pajama pants the night before and slip them back up my bare legs.
I’m not exactly sure what my course of action is here, but without overthinking it too much, I grab my purse, slip my feet into my sandals, and make my way out the door, careful not to let it slam behind me.
I know there aren’t many places for me to go, especially since we’re in the middle of nowhere. But wherever I end up, it has to be better than being alone in a room with the man I just woke up next to. I need to clear my head—and fast.