“You tried?” she repeated, squinting up at me.
I sighed. “Stefano nicknamed me the relationship healer. Every woman I dated went back to her ex.”
“Oh.”
“I kept picking people like me,” I confessed. “Women who hadn’t gotten over their previous partner.”
“Brett,” she murmured, her voice sad.
“It’s fine, Kelly. I met some nice women.”
“How many?” she asked, her voice now a little sharper.
“Relax.” I smirked. “Three. One I really liked. I thought she would be the one to help me get over you. She was funny, sweet, and really lovely.” I huffed a humorless laugh. “And every time I kissed her, we both felt uncomfortable. She got married a couple of weeks ago.”
“Were you upset?”
“I danced at her wedding with a big smile on my face. She wasn’t for me.”
“But you are,” I added silently. “And I’m not sure how to get over you.”
“I’m sorry,” she whispered.
“I know.”
I felt her drift into sleep, her body relaxing into mine, her breathing becoming steady and even. I thought about leaving—Kelly was never big on overnight guests—but I didn’t want to. Instead, I tucked her closer and let sleep take me away.
I’d deal with the aftermath in the morning.
KELLY
I woke up once again in the safety of Brett’s arms. He was solid and warm beside me, wrapped around me tightly.
I nuzzled his chest, the scent of his skin tickling my nose. He never wore cologne, but his soap was scented with cardamon and juniper. A heady, clean, masculine smell that suited him.
Last night—the past few days—were unexpected. His softening toward me. His worry when I told him about being drugged. Showing up two nights in a row with food. I had never told him the only person I ever ate China Palace with was him. The only person aside from Charly who knew about my past. The only male I trusted completely. The only person I had ever spent the night with. All of them Brett.
I hated that I’d hurt him. That my fears had made me run. That because of me he had been in pain. That he would be again when I left. Because I would leave. It was inevitable. I didn’t know how to stay. I had been on the run from that small town, the life I’d left behind so long ago, I didn’t know how to do anything else. I had no idea how to put down roots and stay.
And as frightening as it was to leave, staying was even more terrifying. Being locked down to one place. Allowing someone else’s needs and desires to override my own. Becoming a shadow again. I had witnessed it all my life, been excluded all my life. It was never happening to me.
I pushed down that little voice that whispered it could be different with Brett. That he was different. We were opposites. He was content in this small town. Loved his job. I still wanted to travel and see the world. Take as many pictures as I could and show people the beauty of this marvelous planet we lived on.
I hated hearing he had tried dating. The horrible, selfish part of me rejoiced that none of the women he took out did anything for him. Even though I’d walked away, the thought of him with someone else ate me up inside. I felt conflicted. Jealous. Annoyed that it should bother me.
And after last night, slightly territorial.
I shifted and Brett grunted.
“Where are you going?”
I glanced at the clock. “It’s almost seven. The garage opens in an hour, and it’s booked solid.”
He sat up, the blanket falling away, revealing his chest and abs. A love bite was next to his right nipple. Another one higher on his shoulder. I bit back my grin, knowing I no doubt had a couple on my skin as well. Brett liked to use his teeth and loved it when I reciprocated. My body reacted the way it always did when I saw him naked. Or clothed—I just pictured him naked then. An ache began between my legs, a low throbbing ache only he could ease. My nipples tightened as he looked at me, and the wetness began to gather. For him. It was always for him. Only Brett affected me this way.
“Don’t eyeball me like that,” he growled.
I tried to look away, but he was simply delicious in my bed, his hair everywhere, morning scruff shadowing his jaw, and looking so fine. The blanket was tented and growing as I watched him.
“Kelly,” he protested. “We don’t have time.”
I slipped my hand under the blanket, wrapping it around his cock. Hot, thick, and hard, it was like stroking velvet over steel.
“What about a quick one?” I asked. I did enjoy it when he took me hard and fast.
In seconds, I was under him, my hands held over my head as he devoured my mouth. I opened my legs, and he settled between them, groaning.