Page 60 of Sterling Touch
I stop my thoughts and catch Cort watching me.
“Anyway, no more falling off roofs.” My gaze drops to the bandage on his arm. Roofing is clearly dangerous work.
“Yes, Queenie,” he teases, fisting the sheet over his thighs,while his legs swing back and forth once. His voice is light. His smile sweet and slow.
“You only have a few remaining sessions,” I remind him. His insurance only covered so many. “How are you doing with the exercises at home?”
As a physical therapist as well, I’ve assigned Cort movements to help stretch his back and keep his muscles loose.
“I don’t know. I might need another home visit to check on my progress.”
I chuckle at his playful tone. But he probably shouldn’t pop over to my house again anytime soon, and I’m instantly saddened by the thought.
I can’t date Cort. We can’t be seen in public and there isn’t anywhere to meet in private.
Cort reaches for my hand, and I easily give it to him. He tugs me closer. “You feel so far away.”
“Guess I’m just in my head a little bit today.”
Cort dips his head to look at me, the corner of his mouth curling upward. “You know I want to help you get out of your head.”
Which is exactly what he did this weekend, giving me orgasms like I’ve never had before. His physical fingers never left the edge of that magic travel wand. Still, it was all Cort.
High intention. Total focus. All patience. Some hidden skills for a man who claims he’s never used toys on companions before.
“Vale,” Cort squeezes my hand. “I want to take you on a proper date.” He purses his lips and twists them a second before adding, “Even knowing the risks. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about what we did this weekend.”
“Me either,” I whisper, lowering my gaze to where he holds my hand, linking our fingers together.
I’m reminded how his touch started small. A brush of our pinkies. A finger hooked around two of mine. Then three. Thenmy hand cupped in his. And then our fingers entwined together.
We’ve come so far, and I don’t want it to end. “I just don’t see how we can do something public. Dinner. A movie.” Because of my brother. Keeping my gaze lowered, I dig my teeth into my lip. “We probably shouldn’t be seen together outside of you coaching my son.” Public baseball games for children.
“Then maybe we could do something more private,” Cort suggests. “Come to my house, Vale. Let me make you dinner.”
My head pops up. The suggestion is so much sweeter than taking me to a restaurant. The date would be personal, intimate, private.
A secret.
23
[Vale]
That night, I tell my brother I have a date on Saturday, sticking as close to the truth as I can.
“It’s new, and I’m not certain it will go anywhere, but I’ve agreed to go on this one date.” My tone suggests it’s a hardship while my insides are a riot of excitement.
I have a date with Cortland Haven.
“Anyone I know?” Stone arches a brow like Cort does.
I shake my head. “I’m not ready to share yet.”
For all Stone’s questioning of me when I was younger, he trusts me now, which builds another layer of guilt on the already existing pile.
However, Stone and I also respect each other’s privacy. He doesn’t share with me what the hell is going on between him and Emerson Milton, the town’s mayor. He also knows I don’t have much of a dating life. This is my first one in forever.
By Saturday night, I’m a bundle of nerves.
