She responds immediately. You shouldn’t feel terrible at all this morning. We heard you two carrying on last night. You should be on top of the world.
Ugh. Seriously, I am the worst friend ever.
“What’s wrong?” Mitch asks.
I glance up at him. “I slept in and missed brunch with my friends. They want me to meet them at the airport later.”
“What time is your flight?”
“Three.”
He rubs his jaw, the raspy sound his stubble makes sends a zing of pleasure through me. I love feeling his stubble on my skin. “You want to call the airline?”
“Do you really want me to stay?”
He nods. “I do.”
“Can we stay at your place?” When he opens his mouth to protest, I cut him off. “Please? I want to see where you’re living. I want to sleep in your bed.”
He stares at me for a moment, and I swear I can see the cogs turning in his brain. He’s on the fence about me seeing his apartment, and I don’t know why. What’s the big deal? Maybe he has secrets after all. But wouldn’t they all be packed up, considering his new place is full of nothing but boxes?
“Okay,” he finally concedes. He grabs my hand and pulls me in close, dropping a soft kiss on my lips. “Want to take a shower together?”
We’re going to have sex in the shower. That’s a no-brainer. My entire body lights up just thinking about it. “Yes,” I say without hesitation.
He pulls me in closer, wrapping his arms around me. I circle my arms around him. We’re completely intertwined. I love it. I love how easy he is with his affection. How generous. How he looks at me like I’m the most beautiful woman in the entire world.
“Should we have sex here first?” he asks. I realize I can feel his erection poking against my stomach.
The man never, ever stops.
“I need to call the airline,” I remind him.
“Should we have sex first?” he repeats.
I burst out laughing. “Yes. Then I have to call the airline. Then we can take a shower.”
“Sounds good, baby,” he murmurs right before he kisses me.
After our quickie in bed—nothing wrong with standard missionary, let me tell you—I make a call and I’m able to reschedule my flight for five p.m. tomorrow. This means I won’t land in Monterey until almost ten, and I’ll probably have to take an Uber home, but that’s okay. I get to spend another day and night with Mitch.
We have sex again in the shower before we finally leave the spacious, gorgeous suite. I wish it goodbye, snapping all sorts of photos so I can show some of my clients and also keep as mementos. Then I snap a few photos of Mitch, who’s looking ultra-sexy this morning in his outfit from the night before.
Oops. Poor guy should’ve brought an extra set of clothes to change into.
We’re leaving the hotel hand in hand when someone approaches us. Mitch immediately lets go of my hand, the man gaping at him in what appears to be complete disbelief.
Weird. What’s going on here?
My phone chooses that exact moment to ring, and I answer it absently, not bothering to check who’s calling while I watch Mitch talk to the flabbergasted guy standing in front of him.
“Eleanor! Where are you?”
It’s Kelsey. And she sounds a little…mad.
“Oh my God, I forgot to tell you guys.” I turn so my back is to Mitch, lowering my voice. “I’m, uh…staying another night. With Mitch.”
Kelsey muffles the phone, but I can hear her say, “She’s staying another night, guys.”
They all start talking. About me.
“Are you at the airport?” I ask Kelsey.
“Yes. And we were freaking out because you were nowhere in sight. Next time, call us sooner!”
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” Again, I’m a shit friend. “I feel so bad about missing brunch. We slept in. I didn’t even hear you guys when you left.”
“I’m sure you were dead to the world, considering how much sex you had last night.” Kelsey bursts out laughing, and so do the rest of them. “Girl, you two are loud.”
A chorus of “yeah” accompanied by lots of laughter sounds in the distance.
“I am so embarrassed,” I mumble.
“Don’t be. We’re all impressed. This Mitch guy must be a real keeper. At the very least, he’ll give you some fond memories to look back on,” Kelsey says.
We talk for a few minutes, me reassuring them I’m fine and safe and promising I’ll text them later. Once we’re finished with our conversation and I end the call, I realize Mitch is…
Gone.
Say what?
I wander around the massive lobby of the hotel, but I don’t see him. And I would. He is head and shoulders above the majority of people. I start for the entrance, wondering if he went outside, when I spot him standing at the curb, talking with one of the valets. The valet is young, very early twenties maybe, and he’s nodding repeatedly as Mitch keeps talking, handing over a ticket. The valet takes off and Mitch turns, heading back toward the entrance.
I rush toward him, and we meet in the middle, though still close to the front doors of the hotel. “You did valet parking?”
He nods, looking distracted. “Way easier than dealing with that parking garage.”
I’ve never done valet in my life. I think it’s a waste of cash, but maybe Mitch makes really good money. He should, considering he works with professional athletes.
“Why did that guy stop you earlier?” I ask.
“Who called you?” he asks at practically the same time.
“Oh. Uh, it was Kelsey. They’re already at the airport. I forgot to let them know I’m staying another night.” I offer up a flirtatious smile. “Someone kept me a little too occupied earlier.”
He smiles in return before he glances around, tugging on my hand so we end up standing behind a giant plant in a beautiful pot. “Can’t help it. I always want my hands on you.”
His hand slides to my butt as if to emphasize that fact, giving it a squeeze.
I step out of his hold, not wanting people to catch me getting felt up behind a plant. “How long did the valet say it would take to bring your car around?”
“Ten minutes. I told him if he made it in less than ten, I’d give him a bigger tip,” Mitch says. “I want out of here.”
I wonder how much he promised the valet. “Tired of hanging out in a casino?” Oh God, please don’t say you’re tired of hanging out with me.
“Just ready to go home.” He sends me a look that’s full of promise, and relief hits me, making me relax. “I’m glad we’re not staying at another hotel tonight. I want to sleep in my own bed.”
“Do you really think we’re going to get much sleep?” I ask, raising my brows.
“Probably not, but still.” He shrugs, a crooked smile on his face.
My heart trips over itself as I stare into his eyes. We might be moving at a fast clip, but it doesn’t feel forced or wrong. It all feels so natural with Mitch. I could fall for this guy.
If I haven’t fallen already.
Nineteen