“Yes. It was amazing, but not like I’m a walking hormone. God, what have I been missing? It’s like I look at him and bam, I’m ready for him.” And, it wasn’t a lie. My sex drive had kicked into the fast lane.
Hysterical laughter assaulted my ears. “Yes! I’m so excited for you. So was it one time, two? Three? Hey, at least you waited until you were married.”
“It was the one time. We haven’t since, but I’ve been sore up until today.” I could feel the stinging blush on my cheeks and couldn’t believe I was finally having this conversation with my friend.
“Yeah, it gets better, trust me. You need to keep at it. So what is the status of the annulment? Are you two still breaking it off or do you think you’ll stick together?”
I got up and placed my coffee cup on the counter, then turned to lean against it. “I wish I knew. We tease about it a little here and there, and he’s called me his wife a few times… But again, it’s all in fun.”
“Maybe it’s time to have a serious talk? Ask him what he thinks. What could it hurt?” She had a point, but I was afraid of what he’d say.
“Yeah, I know I should, but I don’t know; it’s all so nice now that we’re kissing and getting closer. I don’t want to ruin it.” I imagined myself straddling his lap, his length tight inside me, and found my way back to the chair.
“It will happen naturally in time. Guess there’s no sense in rushing it. Enjoy it while you can and hope for the best.” She was beginning to sound winded, and I remembered she was scrubbing her house. “So, what else you got?”
“Well, the lawyer is going to start pushing for us to be able to come home. He figured he better before Gabriel blew a fortune on a new house here. He was afraid I would go crazy in this hotel room.”
“Wow, husband of the year, right there. Maybe you should stay a while.” She laughed, and I heard dishes rattling in her sink. Sure enough, the sound of water from her faucet followed.
“He wanted me to pick it out, but honestly, it feels too weird spending his money. I mean, it’s a house. It’s not like I’m choosing a new tie for him.” The idea still seemed absurd.
“Right, well, at least he’s concerned.” She turned off the water, and I heard her footsteps on her wooden floor.
“Yeah, he’s concerned all right. He’s even given me another offer, which is why I’ve called. He said I could fly someone out to visit, and of course I would love it if you had time.”
“Wow, really?” Her tone was stuck somewhere between being surprised and uncertainty. “What about the investigation and the media?”
“We’ll get Joe to look after you, but for the most part, the media has died down.”
“Hmm… Who is Joe? Is he hot and single?”
My grin went ear to ear as I answered. “Yes, as a matter of fact, he is. He’s Gabriel’s bodyguard, as well as his driver. Gabe doesn’t go anywhere without him, and you’d like him. He has a daughter he adores.”
“Well, I’ll have to check my days off, but maybe next weekend if you’re still there.”
I squealed with excitement and jumped to my feet. I’d been so afraid she’d say no with all the murder and mayhem. “That would be perfect. Let’s play it by ear and I’ll keep you updated. I hope we can have some fun. I wish I could show you the city, but I doubt that will happen.”
“We’ll have fun. We can pretend it’s a slumber party, or better yet, a double date. We’ll see if Joe is looking for fun.” We shared a giggle and said our goodbyes. It would be a long week of waiting, but at least I’d have something to look forward to.
Chapter Twenty
Gabriel
“It’s been four days since you talked to the detective. Please tell me you have good news.”
It wasn’t my normal greeting for Mason, but I was sick of waiting around. One more day and I was going to call my fucking realtor and get a different place. Spending weeks in the Honeymoon suite was too much.
Although for the past hour, which I’d spent on the couch with Luna, it hadn’t been all too terrible, nor was any of the time we’d been close. I was beginning to think that the annulment was a bad idea, but wasn’t sure if she felt the same.
“Relax, I come bearing good news.” Mason held his arms out in defense. The guy was impeccably dressed as usual, as if he was out to impress a lady, with his cologne strong and his hair perfectly gelled.
I retreated to the couch where Luna and I had been sitting together for the past hour. Her red cheeks and panting could have gone unnoticed as she collected herself, but her hair and blouse, which were both suspiciously mussed, had Mason’s eyes narrowed.
“You two seem cozy.” He glanced back and forth between us.
We kept our distance, Luna and I, her sitting at arm’s length as I pressed on. “Well?”
He clapped his hands together and flashed a grin that would have made the Cheshire Cat jealous. “The investigation at the hotel is complete; all the different departments have signed off, so you can go there if you want – but more importantly, you’re free to go home.” Luna squealed a sound of relief and moved to the edge of her seat as Mason continued.