Chapter 47 LET IT WAIT
THANE
I practically rolled out of bed, grabbing my boxers from the edge. “I’m late,” I said, heading for my phone on the table.
Rachel’s eyes followed me. “Late? You didn’t mention you were going anywhere. Can I ask where that might be?”
Right. For one stupid second, I completely forgot everything that led to us being here. Spending one beautiful moment with her didn’t erase the shit waiting for me outside this room. The thought of being away from her for a week was already driving me crazy, but what terrified me more was the look on Rachel’s face the moment I said, “Italy.”
I picked up my phone and turned to see her already sitting up in bed. “Milan, precisely.” I added.
“Wow. Fuck.” She let out a dry scoff, a frown quickly forming on her forehead.
I pretended I didn’t notice her eyes burning into me from the bed. I didn’t look up, I just scrolled through my call logs.
Exactly. It was Pops.
A fresh wave of anger surged through me as I remembered what happened in his office barely thirty minutes ago. But I pushed it down. I wasn’t about to let it ruin whatever peace I had left with Rachel right now.
I dropped my phone back on the table and walked toward her. She was already climbing out of bed.
“I’ll just…” Her eyes met mine briefly. “…you know, go to my room.”
I watched her slide into her shorts but caught up with her before she could hook her bra, helping her fasten it before clamping my hands on her shoulders, and gently turned her to face me.
Now I really saw her. A crease sat between her brows, her face controlled, like she was holding herself back from getting mad. I slowly took her hands and brought them to my lips, kissing them softly, my eyes never leaving hers. “Are you mad at me?”
She avoided my gaze. “Nope.” She turned nonchalantly, grabbed her shirt from the bed, and slipped it over her shoulders. “Why should I be mad you’re flying to Italy and I’m just finding out now?”
I didn’t interrupt her. I just watched her button it up. “It’s not like I deserve to know, right?” she added.
I licked my lips and caught her waist before she could walk away, pulling her back against me. “That’s not fair, shorty. Before now, we were practically…” I paused, exhaling. “You know what I mean. And I didn’t even know about this until this morning. I’m telling you the truth.”
She nodded slowly. “Alright. So how long?”
“A week. At most.” I caught the shift in her expression immediately. “But I’ll make it up to you when I get back.” I added softly. “I know you won’t admit you’ll miss me as much as I’ll miss you, but that’s fine.”
She rolled her eyes, pushing my hand off her waist. “There’s no way I’d miss you. If anything, I get a whole week off from fighting with you.”
I pouted. “You know you like it.”
She rolled her eyes again, but this time it softened into something more serious. “Thane…” she said quietly, almost she was rehearsing the words in her head.
But I couldn’t help but notice it… There was something different about the way she said my name. I was used to her yelling it or throwing it around with an attitude, but this… this felt new. Softer and gentle.
I swear, I felt a tingle in the little dude down there, like it was ready to go another round if she gave me even the slightest chance. She hesitated, biting her lip nervously.
“You’re being cute now. You know that, right?” I teased. “Keep doing that and I might kiss you again.” My eyes drifted down to her soft lips.
She laughed, but didn’t say anything right away. I could tell whatever she wanted to say next wasn’t small. It had enough weight to make my chest tighten with anticipation.
“I’d like to say something,” she started, “but I think I should wait till you get back.”
“Why?” I frowned slightly. “I’m here now. Just say it.”
She chuckled softly, then reached up and pulled my neck down to her level, brushing a kiss against my lips. “Let it wait,” she whispered. “I think I should probably leave before Tiara starts looking for me.”
I scoffed. “She’s with Noah. Trust me, you’re the last person she’s worried about.”
I pressed a quick kiss to her forehead before turning to grab my trousers.
“We were supposed to talk about what happened with Noah…”
“Let’s do that later,” I cut in, a little too fast before she could finish.
I saw the flicker of shock on her face, but I ignored it as I pulled on my shirt. I just needed her not to push this right now. Because I already knew if we went down that road, it wasn’t going to end well. We’d barely taken a step forward. I couldn’t afford anything dragging us back.
“Okay,” she muttered.
I threw her a small smile, watching her walk toward the door, but damn, I didn’t want her to leave just yet. I wanted to pull her back again. And from the way she moved, I knew deep down she wanted the same thing too.
I’d never felt this way with any other girl before. And somehow, it felt like something I wanted to drown in.
With a frustrated sigh, I stopped knotting my tie and moved quickly. Just as she reached for the door handle, I grabbed her waist, caught her wrist, and pulled her back against my chest. Without a word, my hand came up to cup her face.
My heart was beating fast, just as fast as hers, rising beneath her shirt. The tension between us snapped tight in seconds. Her lips parted, like she wanted to say something but couldn’t.
God… I wished she could feel everything going on inside me. If I could put it into words, there’d be too many to count.
“I can’t,” I admitted quietly. “I can’t stop thinking this feels like a dream. Holding you like this… it makes it real. Do you feel that too?”
Her throat moved as she swallowed, but she didn’t answer. Her eyes flickered nervously, and then she bit her lower lip.
Fuck. I warned her about that.
“I told you I was going to kiss you if you did that again,” I murmured.
My fingers brushed along her lips as I leaned closer, close enough to feel her breath against my face. We both went still, like the world had paused just for us.
Then I closed the distance.
The moment her hands slid around my waist, whatever control I had left disappeared. I kissed her, hungry, like I’d been holding back too long. As if we didn't just do the same thing minutes ago.
She kissed me back just as deeply, matching my pace. The way she responded sent a rush straight through me, lighting up every nerve inside me.
Hell… I wanted to carry her back to the bed. But I knew I wouldn’t be able to stop if I did.
We got lost in it completely. Until a knock sounded on the door.
Rachel immediately pulled away first, breathless, her lips slightly swollen. She quickly wiped her mouth.
“It’s fine,” I said, steadying my voice. “Probably Tiara or Noah.” I assured her.
I turned the handle and opened the door. And that’s when it hit me. My heart jumped straight to my throat, something heavy dropping in my stomach like a heap of stone.
Standing right in front of me… was Sarah.
Just like that, Rachel and I froze.