Fated Hearts (Southern Bride 8)

Of course, that could simply be wishful thinking on my part.

“Stop being bad,” I said. “We’ll both go get some snacks.”

When I turned to walk toward the small gift shop, Roger slapped my ass, causing me to burst out laughing. Everyone in the lobby turned and looked at us. If this was a prequel to how our day and evening would go, sign me up.

I dropped onto the bed and gasped for air.

“Holy shit, Anna. Where in the hell did that come from?” Roger asked, panting beside me.

I turned to look at him. He lay on his back, staring up at the ceiling as he attempted to catch his breath. I had just ridden my cowboy hard and fast.

Was he a cowboy? It was the first time I’d even allowed myself to think about where Roger was from. It was clearly somewhere down south; I knew that much from his southern accent, which, if I was being honest, was a complete turn-on.

“That. Was. Amazing,” I panted out.

“That was the best fucking sex of my life. Christ, I think I saw stars.”

Laughing, I rolled over and rested my head on my hand. Roger had come at the same time I did, and I loved that I was able to make him orgasm while I was on top. I was pretty sure when I grabbed my nipples and started playing with them, it did us both in. With Roger, this whole other wanton side of me came out during sex, and I loved exploring it. A pang of sadness hit me, knowing I would most likely never have this kind of sex again. I couldn’t imagine another man making me feel the way Roger did. I’d had more orgasms with him in the last day than I think I’d had in my entire life.

Roger sat up before making his way into the bathroom. I heard the water turn on, and I knew he was cleaning himself up and would soon be walking out with a warm washcloth for me. It was the sweetest gesture.

“Lie back. Let me clean you up,” he said as he emerged.

My heart started racing in my chest, and I did what he asked, knowing that even though I’d had the most mind-blowing orgasm only minutes ago, the feel of him touching me would ignite that flame again.

I closed my eyes when the warm washcloth touched my sensitive flesh. A small moan slipped free, and I felt Roger watching me.

Sure enough, when I opened my eyes, he was staring right at me.

“Sorry,” I whispered, closing my legs as a sudden rush of embarrassment hit me.

He winked, and butterflies went off in my stomach.

“Do you want to take a shower?” he asked.

“No,” I said with a shake of my head. “I want to just lie here next to you before we both have to get up and leave.”

He smiled and tossed the washcloth onto the floor before crawling into the bed. “Fair enough.”

I rolled over, allowing him to wrap his arms around me and pull me to him. I had the strangest feeling that Roger wasn’t the type of guy who cuddled often, if at all. I wasn’t sure why I felt that way—maybe it was something about the way he held on to me so tightly, as if he was afraid to let me go. Maybe it was my imagination, or just me secretly hoping he would beg for my phone number and promise we would meet up at least once a month. Truth be told, I knew the moment I agreed to this, it would be hard to say goodbye. I couldn’t help but wonder if Roger was having the same thoughts and feelings.

“I don’t do relationships,” he said, breaking the silence in the room.

I swallowed hard. “What do you mean?”

“I don’t date. I don’t have the desire to settle down, and I don’t fall in love, ever.”

I closed my eyes and prayed my body hadn’t sagged in reaction to his words like my heart had. It was crazy, really. I’d only known Roger a few days, so this declaration shouldn’t mean anything to me.

Then why did it feel like someone had punched through my chest, grabbed my heart, and pulled it right out? And why had he felt the need to say it at all?

If he was going to be honest, then so was I. Forcing my voice to remain steady and calm, I replied, “It’s a good thing we’re going our separate ways in a few hours then because I’m pretty sure I could easily fall in love with you.”

Roger buried his face in my hair and breathed in as he pulled me closer. He didn’t have to say anything; I felt it between us. He had spoken those words out loud to try and push away what he was feeling.