Chapter 20

[Ross]

The moment I left her, I wanted to turn back. I should have turned back, but I wanted to respect her wishes, and the distance she was trying to put between us.

The day had been so great. I don't understand what happened. However, I only made things worse by admitting I want her but didn't want more from her.

I was sending her mixed signals again and frustrating myself even further.

When she left the couch for the bathroom, I'd been having the most amazing dream. One that involved both of us naked on those cushions. A dream I couldn't act upon but wanted to.

Disappointed in myself, I enter my empty hotel room. The vacant space with the prospect of a night of solitude does not settle well with me, and I'm instantly turning around.

Once I'm in the hallway, heading for the elevators, I see Felicity Sylver leaving Romero Valdez's room. The guys know better than to have a woman in their room, wife, girlfriend, or whatnot. She catches my eye while coming up to the elevator bank and I have to reroute for Romero's room.

He answers on the first knock.

"Coming back for more, ba—" He sputters to a halt when he sees me, and I take in his bare chest and bath towel at his waist.

"No women in your room."

"Ah, Coach, a man can't be all work and no play."

"Yes, he can," I argue, but realize I've been more work than play most of my life, even if some would say I play a game as work.

"Romeo has needs," he jokes, patting his chest, using the nickname he no doubt dubbed himself about his behavior with women. Casanova might be a better term for him. He seduces and uses and leaves women in his wake. However, the rumor is Felicity and him were an item before Ford and Felicity were a thing. Reunited lovers.

Wonder what Vee would say about that plot?

Just thinking of her has me regretting again that I left her place and having to deal with Romero further agitates me.

So an hour later, I'm not surprised to find my rented pickup truck parked in the lot of her condo, before I'm stalking back up the walk to Vee's door.

When the door opens on a flourish, like she was anticipating my return, my heart leaps to my throat.

I'm a man on a mission, though.

"We had a date, Vee. And as such, there's a piece I forgot." I step toward her, cup her face, and kiss her hard and fast.

Pulling back, I stare at her. "Every date ends with a kiss." I lower for her mouth again, going slower this time. Moving my lips in a way that lead hers, and sighing with relief when she doesn't push me away. Instead, she grabs onto my shirt, tugging me closer to her, and we stand in the open doorway kissing in a way that doesn't feel typical for a first official date.

We kiss like long-lost lovers. Reunited ones. Future ones.

I just don't know how to make that work.

When I finally pull back, we are both breathless. I still don't think we should move further down the baseline, keeping us perpetually on the bag at first, but I can't deny my desire to kiss her.

"So you came back for a kiss?"

"I came back for you." I kiss her again and lean over for the front door, shoving it hard to shut it. When it slams, I pull back again. "My room was too empty without you."

"That's . . . sweet."

I'm tired of being sweet but I don't mention that to Vee. Instead, I kiss her again, then lower my forehead to hers.

"I know you said you need to write, and I won't press if you tell me to leave again but—"

"Writing?" Vee glances up at her me, her blue eyes round and dilated, sparking with her attraction. She tsks . "What are words to kisses?"

I chuckle, recalling her comment about men and rocks.

"Give me four more nights, Vee. Please." Don't say goodbye to me yet . I know I originally asked for only one night. Then pushed for two. How do we suddenly only have four remaining nights?

"Sleeping with some kissing tossed in?" Her eyes are bright as she digs her teeth into her swollen lips.

"Sleeping with some kissing."

Then, I kiss her again.