Chapter Twenty-Six
Milo
Leaving this woman, even for three weeks, even for a moment, is going to kill me.
Leaving her is going to single-handedly destroy me. And kissing her like this, on this bed . . . I’ve never wanted time to stop more. I want every part of her. I want every bit, every inch, skin, heart, soul, every day . . .
She twists her hands in my hair, tugs a little.
Her lips taste so sweet, her bottom lip so soft.
I’ve been replaying this over in my mind since we first kissed, have had to snap myself out of it, like Come on, man.
Head in the game. But now it’s happening, it’s real, I’m trying to take it slow.
I want to embody every second I’m with her; want to bury every moment deep within me, never forget it.
I want to be stuck in a time loop of Allie Lake, on this bed, forever.
My mouth on her soft, warm lips, my hand under her shirt . . .
‘Milo,’ she whispers against my mouth, pulling back but lips still touching mine.
Milo. Milo. I love the way she says my fucking name. She makes it sound new.
She moves closer to me, a hand sliding around my neck, a tiny hum at the back of her throat. This woman is heaven. I’ve got to keep my cool. Keep it slow. But all I can think about is where my hands are desperate to be . . .
There’s a knock on the door.
No. No, surely not.
There’s another. Seriously?
‘Shit.’
Allie pulls back, wide-eyed. She starts to laugh, embarrassed. Colour floods to her cheek, a hand flies to her mouth.
‘Hello?’ comes a voice.
‘Is that Polly?’ I whisper. I lean, dive for Allie’s mouth and she kisses back but leans away. Pushes a finger against my lips. A wordless ‘hold on’.
‘Um. Hello?’ she calls huskily. ‘Y-Yes?!’
We listen.
‘So sorry, Allie,’ calls Polly, ‘But could I just . . . I couldn’t locate you.’
‘Of course!’ she replies, flustered and pink-cheeked. ‘I’ll, um, just get the door!’
I look at her – seriously? She’s straight up just inviting people in? I’m in pants. I’m half-naked. I’m hard.
Surprising me, though, she slowly kisses me. ‘Why can’t I stop doing that?’ She laughs. ‘Honestly, what on earth is wrong with me?’
I am on fire for this woman. I will worship the ground she walks on for the rest of my life. Captain, officer, asshole, whatever. I’ll be whatever Allie wants me to be.
I quickly drag a towel over my lap. That’s not obvious. Not obvious at all.
Allie opens the door. Polly stands there.
‘Oh. Hello. Ha. Iris and Jameson wanted to know if you’d join them in the computer room. They worry you’ve got distracted.’