The words formed in her head so easily. But Lola kept them to herself for now. She didn’t want to tell Alex how she felt right after they’d had sex. She didn’t want him to misconstrue the admission as something related to how good her orgasms felt—she wanted Alex to know it was him that made her feel good. In and out of bed.
She kissed him, then asked, “Mind if I stay the night?”
“Not at all.”
She climbed off his hunky bod and settled under the covers. Alex made a quick trip to the bathroom before joining her. He draped an arm across her shoulders and she rested her head on his chest. Listened to his heart beating. Listened to his soft breathing.
“You’re sensational,” she said in a soft voice.
“No. We’re sensational.”
Lola smiled.
This feels good. This feels right.
Yeah, she was full-on in love.
Head-over-high-heels in love.
Chapter Nine
The next morning, Lola woke to quiet. Not Alex’s heartbeat or breathing or even his light snoring, which she found sexy. Everything about the man was sexy.
She cracked an eye open and discovered she was alone.
Running a hand over the rumpled sheets next to her, Lola frowned. They weren’t even warm. How long ago had he left her?
“Alex?” she called out. When he didn’t answer, she opened both eyes and threw back the duvet.
She scooped up the T-shirt he’d been wearing last night and slipped it on. She left his room and found Alex in the kitchen, sucking down a protein shake. He rinsed out the glass and put it in the dishwasher as she slid onto a bar stool.
“Whatcha up to?” she asked.
“Off to the gym.”
Her brow furrowed. “It’s not even seven yet. Don’t you sleep in on Sundays?”
“Good time to hit the machines, while everyone else is in bed or at church.” He snatched his duffel bag from the counter and slung the strap over his broad shoulder. Then he turned toward the door.
A hint of dread slithered down Lola’s spine. “Hey, don’t I even get a good-morning kiss for the late-night booty call?”
He glanced back at her. “Yeah, about that.” He hesitated, his brow furrowing. A hint of I have bad news flickered in his eyes. “I’ve been thinking, Lo.”
Lo. Not baby.
The dread escalated.
“This whole friends-with-benefits thing,” he continued, in a tone that was much too serious and decisive first thing in the morning. “Not such a great idea.”
She hopped off the bar stool, panic seizing her. “What are you talking about? It’s working out fabulously.”
Facing her, Alex said, “Don’t get me wrong. I’ve had an amazing week. You are definitely something else. But I’ve got a lot of shit going on at the office and I need to concentrate on that. And you’re, well, a distraction.”
“So… wait a minute.” She shook her head. Tried to get her bearings as the panic nearly stopped her heart. Her stomach became a tight pretzel, and her breath was scarce. “You’re saying you don’t want us to be together anymore? You don’t want us to have sex anymore?”
“Yeah,” he said with a slow nod. “I think it’s for the best. We’re both focused on our jobs right now, and I want to keep my head in the game. I can’t afford to get laid off.”
He gave her a quick peck on the cheek—to placate her? Then walked out.