Bloom

She drinks two sips before shoving it back in my hand. “I think I should go.”

I’ve never dealt with this before. The moments after sex for me usually involve my head between my partner’s legs until she comes again.

Athena isn’t looking for more, and even though my dick has settled to the point that it’s only semi-hard, I’m aching to touch her again.

“I’m sorry,” she mutters under her breath. “I’m sorry, Liam.”

I set the glass of water on the bedside table. “Hey, no. Don’t say that.”

Her eyes dart over my face in a panic. “It was a lot for me. That was the best…I’ve never done that before with a man.”

I don’t want to be insensitive, but I need to ask. “What do you mean?”

“I don’t come with men,” she admits with her gaze on the floor. “Only by myself.”

What the ever-loving fuck?

Is she serious?

Who the hell has she been sleeping with?

I don’t press because that pink hue on her cheeks tells me that it wasn’t an easy confession for her to make.

“I can take you home,” I offer as I round the bed looking for my jeans.

“No.” Her head shakes. “I can get there on my own.”

She needs space. I’ll give it to her. I’d be an asshole not to.

I slide my jeans up before I turn back to face her.

Christ. I don’t want this to be awkward. I want this to be our beginning. I don’t give a shit that I didn’t get a release out of this. I got something better. I watched her splinter. I saw the way her lips parted. I felt her come on me.

That’s better than any fuck I’ve ever had.

I have no idea where her mind is, so I ask a question I need an answer to. “I’ll see you again, right?”

If she says no, I’ll drop to my knees and beg. I’ll crawl after her if I have to.

“Yes.” She answers with a subtle dip of her chin. “Maybe this week?”

“Tomorrow,” I spit out before I consider what I’ve got going on.

“I can’t.” She shrugs. “I have an appointment with Audrey tomorrow night to go over the order for her wedding flowers.”

I should tag along on that, but I don’t need Audrey to know that Athena and I are seeing each other. She’s a friend of Wren’s. I don’t want the complication.

I have appointments that run late on Thursday, so I opt for the first available day. “Friday?”

“I can do Friday,” she affirms with a smile.

“I’ll cook something,” I say without thinking.

I doubt she’s going to be impressed with scrambled eggs and bacon or a toasted bagel.

Adjusting the waist of her dress, she glances at me. “I’d like that, Liam. Should I bring anything?”

“Just you,” I answer quickly. “I’ll see you on Friday at seven, Athena.”