Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 75983 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 380(@200wpm)___ 304(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75983 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 380(@200wpm)___ 304(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
I cracked an eye open as memories of the night before came rushing back. I’d had Rudy drive me home. It had been close to midnight when I’d started yawning mid-kissing. With his typical efficiency, Rudy had bundled me off to bed in short order. Well, a few more kisses as he’d tucked me in, but I’d been most of the way toward sleep when he asked if he should take the couch or find a ride back to downtown. I’d impulsively scooted over in the queen bed and told him we could share and head to the theater before people were likely to notice us arriving together.
And now it was a rather alarmingly sunny Sunday morning, and a fully dressed Rudy stood next to the bed bearing two mugs of coffee. I hated that I had zero memory of him sleeping next to me. In fact, the other side of the bed scarcely looked disturbed.
“Did you sleep in here?” I asked blearily as I accepted the coffee. I’d apparently fallen asleep in my bathrobe as well. I had a vague recollection of climbing into the bed, robe and all, rather than bother with pajamas or shock Rudy by dropping the robe.
“Couch.” He blushed. “You offered the bed, but you were already snoring between words. I didn’t want to hold you to that.”
“Admirable, but I wouldn’t have minded sharing.” Another lazy yawn escaped my mouth.
“I wasn’t sure I could trust myself not to cuddle you in my sleep. Wasn’t sure how you’d feel about that.” Eyes downcast, he addressed the coffee, not me.
He was rather clearly expecting me to disavow the kissing from the night before. A smarter person undoubtedly would, but he’d made a convincing argument that we could have this holiday season. Why waste what little time we could have together? My chest twinged with an unfamiliar tightness. I wanted him and more time together in the worst way, ill-advised though it might be. I also hated seeing him uncertain. I set my coffee on the nightstand before patting the bed next to me.
“Sleep cuddles sound interesting.” Few of my lovers had been the sleepover type, and even fewer could be described as cuddly in any way. “Not sure I’ve had that, but maybe we can sneak a few awake cuddles before we have to leave?”
Rudy grinned, relief clear in his eyes, but rather than join me, he pulled out his phone. “If you were serious about arriving before the others, I’m setting another alarm.”
“You’re timing our kissing?” I asked as he perched primly next to me.
“You do have a way of making time disappear.” He leaned in to give me a tentative kiss, but I wasn’t having any of his shyness. He’d set his coffee next to mine, so I yanked him down until he was sprawled half on top of me. A wad of covers and my robe were between us, but I was far more concerned with his mouth. A fling, even a two-week one, was a terrible idea, yet when we kissed, the world fell away. All my doubts and pesky logic fled in the face of this intense connection we shared. Was it because we were also friends? Or was it because of how special a person he was? I wasn’t sure, but the only thing that made sense was to keep kissing him until time ran out. Literally. We ended up hitting snooze on his phone alarm twice and gulping lukewarm coffee on the way to the car.
We parked in the back lot of the ballet school and entered the theater across the street separately, but covert spies we were not.
“You were early today.” Tavio’s knowing tone had me on edge as soon as he entered my dressing room a short while later.
“You’d prefer late?” I gave him my haughtiest stare, the sort of thing I’d use on stage to convey aristocratic disdain. I wasn’t in the mood for teasing, whether from him or anyone else. This thing with Rudy was too new, too fragile, too precious to share.
“Of course not.” Tavio didn’t let me off that easily, though, as he added a wink and a waggle of his bushy eyebrows. “And naturally, my lips are sealed as to your carpool arrangements, but I do hope you know what you’re doing.”
“Me too.” My voice was terse. I had no clue what I was doing. Rudy was too young, too tied to this area, too innocent, and too damn sweet for me. Yet I was powerless to stay away. Even as I went through my pre-performance routine, my usual laser focus kept wandering back to him and thoughts of what we might get up to later.
As we approached showtime, Rudy swept through backstage, clapping his hands for attention.
“Reminder, everyone, that there’s a combination afterparty and teardown immediately following the show.” He had to raise his voice to be heard over the children. This was the fourth show in three days, and the little dancers were decidedly out of patience. The flowers and the mice were having an impromptu battle while some of the children from the party scene lobbed presents at each other. Rudy deftly caught one and handed it to the parent in charge of props. “The costume and set committees appreciate any help getting everything back across the street. There will be snacks.”