Total pages in book: 118
Estimated words: 114368 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 572(@200wpm)___ 457(@250wpm)___ 381(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 114368 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 572(@200wpm)___ 457(@250wpm)___ 381(@300wpm)
The staff carried our luggage to the room, and I thanked them for the gesture. Not long after, a bottle of champagne was sent to the room. They must not have known I was underage, yet Starlet’s ID showed she was over twenty-one. I called it a win. Starlet called it a disaster.
“This is bad. This isn't good. This is so, so bad,” she muttered, pacing back and forth in the room. It was an impressive space. It was large, with a California king-size bed, a pullout sofa, and a bathroom with a deep soaking tub.
“Don’t worry. I’ll sleep on the couch.”
“Milo.” She sighed, walked into the bathroom, and stood in the shower that was blocked off by a see-through wall. “You’ll be able to see me showering!” she grumbled. “Why even put up this wall if it was going to be see-through?!”
“If it makes you feel better, I’ve already seen you naked.”
“Milo!”
“Okay, okay, you’re stressed out a bit.”
She headed back over toward me and collapsed onto the giant bed. “This is the worst day of my life.”
“That’s funny. I thought it was the best day of my life.”
She dramatically flipped her head in my direction, still lying on the bed. “Why are you such a pain?”
“I was born this way. Don’t worry. When you shower, I’ll head out of the room and give you your space. Scout’s honor.” I walked over to the bottle of champagne. “Want some—”
“Don’t you dare open that, Milo Corti! No drinking this weekend!”
I smiled. “I like when you use my full name. It turns me on.”
“Well, turn off. There will be ground rules for this sleepover.” She pushed herself to a sitting position, kicked off her shoes, and then crossed her legs like a pretzel on the bed.
“I hate rules.”
“Yeah, I can tell. Which is why we need them.”
I plopped down on the sofa across from her. “Okay, let me hear it.”
“Absolutely no touching.”
“Disappointing yet fair. Continue.”
“No sexual remarks of any kind.”
“I’ll do my best. Next?”
“No slipping into my bed.”
“What if I slid into it?”
She gave me a stern look.
I tossed my hands up. “All right, no cuddle buddies. Got it.”
“And last, we keep things surface level.”
“Says the digger who always asks me questions about my mother.”
Her eyes softened, and she shook her head. “I know. I’m just adding to the confusion, but I feel as if we are on a slippery slope, especially with us sharing a hotel room. I’m not blaming you for any of this since I’ve been a willing participant. Yet I think now I realize how many lines we’ve crossed.” She swallowed hard. “I can’t lose my job, Milo. This means too much to me.”
I sat up straighter, less relaxed. “Star, I know I make a lot of inappropriate jokes, but I would never do anything to jeopardize your career. I’m a dick, but I’m not that big of a dick.”
“Thanks, Milo.”
I grabbed a pillow from the bed and tossed it onto the sofa. “Take a nap,” I told her as I lay down on the sofa, not bothering to pull it out into its bed form. “We’ve got a long, cold hike to take in a few hours.”
She smiled.
I loved it.
But I’d keep that secret to myself. I didn’t want to push her buttons unless I knew she’d push mine back.
I tossed and turned on the sofa, trying my best to get comfortable. Unfortunately, my legs dangled over the edge, which made it damn near impossible to get situated.
“Fine.” Starlet sighed.
I opened one eye and glanced her way. “Fine, what?”
“We can share the bed. It’s clear you’re uncomfortable.” She took all the pillows on the bed and made a barrier wall right down the middle. “You stay on your side, and I’ll stay on mine.”
I smirked. “That’s quite generous of you, Teach.”
“What can I say? I’m a good person.” She pointed a stern finger my way after I climbed into the bed. “Don’t you dare touch me.”
“I’ll keep my hands to myself. Unless you change your mind,” I teased. “Because if you change your mind, my hands are going straight for your puss—”
She swatted me with her pillow. “Go to sleep, Milo.”
I did as she said, hoping my dreams would be of me between her thighs.
After a few hours, I was awakened when I felt an arm brush against mine. I opened my eyes and found the pillow barrier was completely gone. Somehow, Starlet moved closer to my side of the bed, and her head rested peacefully against my shoulder blade.
I thought about pulling her closer, wrapping her body in my arms, and allowing our heat to merge. Instead, I left her where she was because I feared that if I moved her, she might wake up and remove herself completely from my touch. Having her sleeping against my shoulder felt like a dash of joy I didn’t want to lose.