“Hey,” I answer in my cheeriest voice. “How are you doing today?”
“Good,” Gracie says. “Mommy said you’re all the way in Utah and really busy, but I wanted to call you.”
“I’m never too busy for you, Gracie. What have the Looney Tunes been up to?”
With that, she tells me step by step the details of the last episode she watched, giggling at every funny part. I avoid looking at the mirror on the wall to keep from seeing if Kinley is watching me, still not comfortable with sharing this with anyone. Once Gracie is finished, I tell her I’ll visit soon and hang up.
“Hey, you’re awake,” I state the obvious, setting my phone back on the dresser, finally getting my clothes.
“Ugh, fuck off.” Through the mirror, I can see her as she wipes her eyes and runs a hand through her hair, and I laugh. “I’m not a morning person five minutes after leaving my peaceful sleep. I can’t believe you’re up and showered already,” she adds. Thanks to the mirror atop the dresser and the lights still on from last night, I can see her eyes moving over the muscles in my back and lower to the towel that’s covering me up.
“I’ve been up for over an hour, sweetheart. Already been to the gym and back.”
“Are you always up this early?” she questions with a glance at the clock. “Why would someone call you at this time of the morning?”
With my clothes in hand, I walk over to the chair by the door and toss them onto it before turning to face her and nodding, avoiding her last question. “I don’t need a lot of sleep to function, so I’m awake before the sun rises. It works out because that’s usually a great time to go to the gym or go for a run or something.”
Kinley nods but something seems off as she stands and says, “I should probably go to my room now and get ready myself. Thanks for letting me sleep over.”
“No problem.”
She walks past me, but I reach for her elbow and pull her back so she’s flush against me. Her hands are flat on my chest, her eyes slightly widen, and her lips part. I realize what I’ve done five seconds later, like I’m operating on a delay.
Clearing my throat, I try to speak. “Um…before you go…”
“Yes, Carson?” she questions softly, urging me forward when I lose all thought. Yes, Carson? I don’t know what it is about those two words coming from her mouth, but it’s enough to sway my world.
Talking isn’t what I wanted to do when I stopped her from leaving. Dipping my head, I lean down to press my lips against hers. Mmm. This is what I wanted. Her lips are soft and follow mine eagerly, a low moan spills from her as I slip my tongue into her mouth. Before she has the chance to feel me through the towel, I pull away.
“Do you have patience?” The words tumble out, confusing us both, even though I asked.
“What?”
Swallowing hard, I repeat, “Are you a patient person, Kinley?”
She grins as she backs away towards the door again. “I manage to put up with you, don’t I?”
I laugh. “Good point.”
Kinley watches me for a half a second before she’s out the door. Why did I ask her that? Where did that even come from? See, she’s a fucking whirlwind. Shaking my head at myself, I get dressed and ready for the busy day.
Every time my gaze finds her, she’s looking at me with a glimpse of a smile. Today is probably the first time since we’ve been here that things are running smoothly without so many bumps. Between takes, I make my way over to Kinley where she sits behind her laptop, watching replays. Standing directly behind her, I’m close enough that the fabric of my t-shirt lightly brushes against her back.
“What are you doing?” she asks.
I lean down as if I’m getting a better look with my head next to hers and reply, “Checking to see if I’m doing a good job.” Everyone is busy getting ready for the next take and not paying any attention to us. I drag my fingers over her lower back before slipping them underneath her shirt. “Am I?”
“You’re doing okay, Carson Lee.” She shrugs.
“What are we doing later?”
“Well, I had hoped that you would be doing me later, but I’ll have to be patient for that.”
“What’s that saying? Good things come to those who wait? Maybe you won’t have to wait for too much longer.” Hell, I don’t want to wait.
“For your information, that saying was meant for small children, not a twenty-something horny female.” Her breath catches as I trail my fingers over the fabric of her bra on her side.
“As long as you stay sober, then we shouldn’