The silence in the hotel room is suffocating. Kai lays only inches from me, but still, I won’t look at him. Vulnerability is a sensation I like to steer clear from. My lifestyle isn’t conducive to close and long-term friendships. I haven’t had to be vulnerable with anyone in a very long time, and I’ve avoided self-reflection for years.
His oversized hand cups my face, turning my chin to face him. “Why do you still do the high-end stuff instead of simplifying things and opening your own bakery like you wanted to?”
I swallow. “Because what I do now is on another level. Yes, the hours are ridiculous and sure, the pressure of working in a high-end kitchen can be crippling, but I’ve made a name for myself. I think others look at my resume and find it impressive.”
His eyes search mine. “Does what other people think really matter?”
There’s only one person whose opinion of me matters and that’s the man on the other side of this wall. After everything he’s done for me, he deserves an impressive daughter. A daughter who excels in everything she does.
“Will you bake for me sometime?” Kai asks when I don’t respond. “I promise not to judge or analyze it.”
I chuckle. “First you want me to watch your son, travel with you, and now I need to cook for you? God, what else do you want me to do?”
His thumb trails down my jaw before sliding against my lower lip. “I want you to kiss me again.”
Oh.
He stares at my mouth. “I really liked kissing you, Mills.”
My body moves towards his without hesitation and, like a practiced dance, his arm slips between me and the mattress, pulling me closer to him. Our bare legs slide against one another, and he lifts his over mine to bring me nearer.
I lick my bottom lip, prepared for wherever he wants this to go. “I really liked kissing you too.”
“But we can’t do it again.”
Annnd never mind.
“Because if I kiss you again,” he continues, “I have a feeling I’m going to want to do it every time I see you.”
I arch into him. “I don’t see the problem with that.”
“The problem with me kissing you is it’s only going to lead me to wanting to fuck you more than I already do, and I don’t do the unattached fucking thing like I used to.”
“But the unattached fucking thing is so fun.”
He huffs a laugh. “Yeah, but ever since Max—”
“You don’t do casual.”
“Nothing about my life is casual anymore. I’ve got someone else relying on me and my decisions now.”
“Again.”
Understanding floods him. “I have someone else relying on me again, and I don’t have the space to be selfish. You said it yourself, you’re leaving soon, and I’ve had too many people I counted on leave. I can’t put myself or my son through that again.”
Of course he can’t. Not when he’s trying to build a solid and stable environment for Max, while I’m simply having a good time passing through until I get back to my real life and career.
“I get it.” I pull away a bit, giving him space in the bed.
“Where are you going?”
“Giving you space. You just said—”
“A man can cuddle.”
My brows shoot up. “Cuddle?”
“Yes, cuddle. Or have you never heard of the term?”
I pause, hesitating.
“Have you never cuddled before?” he asks.
“No. I cuddle with your son. I’ve just never—”
“Have you never cuddled with a man before?”
“Can we stop saying the word cuddle? It doesn’t sound right coming from you. You’re huge and hot and you’ve said the word cuddle more times in the last thirty seconds than I have in my entire life.”
A knowing smile lifts on his lips. “Miller Montgomery, you cold, unattached woman. Get over here and cuddle with me.”
“Stop saying cuddle!”
He reaches out for me, but I teasingly pull away.
“Cuddle with me, Mills.”
“Get away from me!” I wiggle away on the mattress.
Laughing, he chases after me until finally I give up my sad excuse of attempting to get away from him.
His giant body traps mine and on instinct my legs open around him. As soon as his hips fall into the cradle of mine, our matching smiles drop.
He uses his arms to keep himself lifted off me, just enough so that I can watch his attention once again drop to my lips.
“Kai.” I swallow, my fingertips trailing over his abs, tracing the endless ridges.