“We should probably think about getting out of this bed at some point.”
He’s propped on his side, one arm bent and resting his head on his palm. He’s playing with my hair with his other hand, sliding his fingers through my hair and draping it over my breast. I slid into a tank top and underwear after the last time in case anyone accidentally, or rudely and intentionally, barges in, but Klaus has forgone the same idea. I’m blessed with the display of his chest, his light hair that spreads across his muscles, narrowing at his abs.
“And rejoin reality? No thank you.”
Thinking ‘bout seeing Teresa tonight makes me sad. And will Norman be here? Looking sickly? It’s a shame Roman ended up being such a douche since he had such nice parents.
Plus, there will have to be more conversations with Nana and my mom before we leave.
Klaus ditches my hair and rubs his thumb between my brows. “When you get worried, a line shows here.”
I slap his hand away. “Thanks for pointing out my wrinkles.”
“It’s not a wrinkle. It’s a worry line. And you don’t have anything to worry about today.”
“No. Just hard conversations I’d much rather ignore. Think anyone would notice if we snuck out and went back home?”
He offered during our run and now that I’m not huffing and puffing, I’m seriously considering it.
“Yeah. I think they’d notice.”
I flip to my back. Covering my hands with my face, I heave a sigh. And then shiver, as Klaus’s warm palm lands on my stomach, pushing up my tank top so his hand rests on my bare flesh.
“What’s the thing you’re most worried about?”
“Well, Julianna could decide to tell everyone Roman calls my name when they have sex, and trust me, right now it’s taking everything in me not to puke at not only the idea of that, but that he had the nerve to tell me.”
“With you on that one. You think she’ll say something?”
“I think she’s a loose cannon, but…” Do I? She has what she wants, and if she’s willing to keep him even knowing he’s a slimeball that’s definitely not my problem. “I don’t know if she will, but I’ll be subjected to nasty comments and uglier looks for certain. And then there’s Teresa.”
“You like her.”
“Love her. I almost wonder if I would have left Roman years earlier if it hadn’t been for her. She was so much more of a mom to me than my own, she was hard to say goodbye to, and Norman… I can’t imagine their pain. Plus, Nana.”
“Who’s probably faking a nap right now in the solarium if you want to go get that one out of the way.”
“Stop making sense,” I grumble. “I don’t even know what to say to her. Last night, she was flat out mean, and I’ve never seen that from her.”
“Yeah, she was mean to your mom, but she was still upset on your behalf. Your grandma loves you, even if you’ve learned she’s not as perfect as you thought she was.”
“You’re right.”
“Ah. The best two words a man can hear. Want to repeat it?”
“No, because now you’re being all cocky.”
“I’ll show you cocky.”
He moves quickly, covering me with his body and cages in my legs. I think he’s going to kiss me, but then that grin of his I love so much turns salacious.
“Klaus,” I whisper.
“What?” he asks, right before his fingers dig into my sides and tickle me.
“Ah! No! Get off!” I buck my hips, digging my fingers into his wrists, and twist and turn, trying to get him off me. It hurts so good and so awful at the same time. I’m laughing and crying while he tortures me with strong fingers and strong thighs that keep me cemented in place.
“Stop!” I shriek. I buck my hips one more time and somehow manage to loosen his hold just enough until the pressure on his hands yanks him forward.
Right before he falls and hits me, I roll us, flipping us over so I’m on top.
With our positions reversed, I do what I thought he was going to do to me before he attacked, and I kiss him.
His fight leaves him instantly, and he cradles me, holding the back of my head firmly against him. Beneath me is muscles and hardness everywhere.
Glorious. Delightful.
Kissing Klaus is on my top five list of things to do with my spare time.
My hands roam his body, his arms, his shoulders, everywhere I can reach until he takes the kiss deeper, presses against me and groans down my throat.
Pushing off him, I scramble off the bed and to the floor.
“What the hell?” he asks, stunned, hazy-eyed, completely turned-on based on the obvious tenting beneath my sheets. “Get back here,” he says, turning to the side to reach for me.
“That’s for tickling me.”
“I’m not sure the punishment fits the crime.” To prove it, he shoves down the sheet and wraps his hand around that long length that makes my mouth wet and other parts soaked.
If I don’t get out of here, we’re going to spend the rest of the day getting sweaty. Or sweatier. And while we haven’t had sex, I’m not ready for that to happen. Not tonight anyway, with our house overtaken with workers and family.
I drag my gaze off his beautiful show and smirk. “I think you’ve definitely learned a hard lesson today. Next time, remember this.”
Hurrying to the closet, I grab a pair of cut-off sweat shorts and a shirt I can throw over my tank top.
“I’m going to go deal with Nana. You take care of… well… that.”
“With pleasure,” he moans, hips arching. Teasing. God, if he’s doing this to impress me, I am sold. Klaus is magnificent. “But remember, while you’re in there dealing with Nana, I’ll be in here. Hard, horny, and thinking of you.”
“You fight dirty.” I point a finger at him and scowl.
“Hurry back.”
I fly out the door and slam it behind me before I can change my mind. Before I’m saying, “Nana? Who’s Nana?”
I find her exactly where I thought she’d be, in the solarium, dressed in another bright colored muumuu, but today she’s not sleeping. Or pretending to sleep.
Instead, she’s pacing, looking like she’s been here long enough to wear the shine right off the tiled floor.
Knocking on the door, I get her attention and step inside. Where I’m usually met with cheek kisses and warm hugs, today she stops moving and stays far away, crossing her arms over her chest.
“Wondered how long it’d take you to come yell at me.”
I’ve never once questioned Nana. Always taken her side and believed her ramblings, thinking she was just an eccentric lady who had a rough life and a daughter who turned her back on her, but now I’m seeing things more clear. And I can see it… her flakiness. Her laissez-faire attitude negatively affecting her child who wants compassion and care and doesn’t want to have to take care of herself.
I’m not angry with Nana. Not even disappointed. I do plan on having an honest conversation with her.
“I’m not here to yell at you, but I think we should talk, don’t you?”
“That boy was never good enough for you, and your mama is in the wrong for bringin’ him here and havin’ this party.”