“Oh, Bowen.” I buried my face in the curve of his neck. “It’s still me. I’m right here. I swear.”
“I know. It’s just going to take a while for it to really sink in. For me to believe it’s real.”
“Well, I’m here for as long as it takes.”
He stroked the back of my hair. “That might be forever.”
“Okay. I kinda like it here.”
He let out a low hum. “You think I’m kidding.”
“I hope you’re not.”
His arms cinched around me, and he turned his face to kiss my cheek. “There you go again, making it impossible for me not to say I love you.”
“You don’t need to. I think I got a head start on falling in love with you anyway.”
He stared at me for a second, his warmth encompassing me as his gaze branded me more than any declaration of love ever could. “Don’t be so sure about that.”
And then he kissed me.
Deep and hungry.
Carnal and consuming.
His lips were a promise.
My moans were a plea.
And as he tore the T-shirt over my head and drove inside me, our bodies joining as one, I was positive there was no more falling left to be done for either of us.
Remi
Me: My Uber took the slowest route possible. I’m so sorry I’m late.
Bowen: Babe, it’s 6:01. Late for you doesn’t start until at least 6:15.
After the incident at the hospital, I’d spent the next week being the world’s most punctual and communicative girlfriend. I’d texted Bowen every morning when I woke up. He’d laughed because five of those times he’d been lying in the bed beside me. I’d also texted him before showing houses, after showing houses, and during lunch, and again, two of those times he had been sitting across the table from me.
He’d never asked for any of it. It wasn’t a trust or control thing. But if it made him feel comfortable to know where I was, a simple text was the least I could do.
It wasn’t like I was alone in the understanding and thoughtful department. While Sugar and I had officially become besties, Clyde still scared the shit out of me if we ran into each other when he was loose in the house. Bowen—my sweet, sweet Bowen—had tied a bell to the collar of his hulking, one-hundred-plus-pound goodest boy so he could never sneak up on me.
Give and take. It was all about the give and take.
Me: Okay, well, anywho, I’m walking in now, Sirfriend.
I flashed my ID to the bouncer at the door and then walked into the crowded bar. It was trivia night, and since I hadn’t been in a few weeks, I was far past due to thrash some drunk co-eds who thought they knew it all. And to ensure my victory, on this particular night, I’d brought a secret weapon.
Not so shockingly, he’d been early. It wouldn’t have been Bowen if he hadn’t. But as I caught sight of him at a small high-top table wearing a tailored suit, complete with a vest that honestly might have been hotter than the sleeve-rolling thing, I regretted being even a few minutes late.
He stood as I approached, immediately pulling me into a hug.
“You look dashing,” I said.
He traced a hand down my side, stopping to tease the exposed flesh where my pink T-shirt failed to meet my short denim cutoffs. “You should have told me it was a college bar. I would have gone home to change first.”
I leaned away and smiled. “Oh, please. You look amazing. Plus, now everyone will think you’re a professor and be on their best behavior.”
His eyes darkened and he slid his hand down to my ass, slipping it into my back pocket before giving it a firm squeeze. “Well, in that case. Miss Grey, I graded your essay today and you failed miserably. I will be offering extra credit tonight, but it will involve an oral presentation.”
My entire body heated, not at all limited to my cheeks. Using the lapels on his jacket, I dragged his mouth down to mine, kissing him indecently—or at least it was indecent for two people in or nearing their dreaded thirties like ourselves. “You’re so gracious, Professor Michaels. I assure you my presentation tonight will be my finest work to date.” Hopeful and horny, I slipped my hand inside his jacket and… Bingo. I pulled out a clean, neatly folded handkerchief. “Perfect, I needed a good luck charm.” I shoved it down the front of my shirt and into my bra for no particular reason other than I liked the idea of him spending the night thinking about my boobs. “However, until we get home, I need to borrow your brain and not your body.”
He let out a deep rumble, and as I’d hoped, he glanced around to see if anyone was watching before sneaking his fingertips under the hem of my shirt, trying to get his hanky back.
