Page 109 of Even Ground

I want to tell her that I love her, but I also don’t want to move too fast. I’ve not said that in a romantic way to anyone, but Pania’s different.

We spent the past two years getting to know one another. Now we get to spend time together.

“Now, I really need to get some sleep.”

She rolls onto her side, facing away, and I snuggle up, spooning from behind.

“This bed gets warm. It’ll get way too hot overnight to do that.”

I kiss the back of her neck. “I’m happy to get hot and sweaty if it means being next to you.”

“You’re a big softy, Reece Evans.”

“I’m just appreciative of getting good head.”

She laughs, and while I can’t see her face, I can just imagine the broad smile that graces it.

“Goodnight,” she whispers.

“Goodnight.”

25

Pania

I rub my face and try my best to ignore the blaring alarm in the morning.

It doesn’t work.

Reece nudges my arm. “Last day.”

I reach over to the bedside cabinet and touch my phone screen, switching off the noise.

“It’s not so easy to get out of bed this morning.”

He kisses my ear. “I know. I’d be happy to stay here too.”

I sit up and laugh. “You are staying here. The moment I’m gone, you’ll roll over and go back to sleep.”

Reece shrugs. “I am still tired after my flight.”

Leaning over, I kiss him on the lips. “I’ll be back about two-thirty-ish. We finish at two today.”

He grabs my arm as I turn to climb out of bed. “Come back here. I want more than that.”

“I don’t have time,” I whine, but I still lean back again and linger on his lips.

“That’s better. I still don’t know how I’ll go a whole day without seeing you.” He lays his palm flat on his pecs, the other hand, palm up, on his forehead.

“How on Earth did you win an Oscar with those acting skills?” I stand up and move away from the bed before he can grab me again. “You’ll be fine. After today, you get to spend two whole weeks with me.” He doesn’t respond, and as I get to the bathroom door, I turn. “And, you might even get to have sex with me in that time.”

I grin at the sound of his laughter and look at myself in the mirror. This is all still so unreal. I got used to our banter, but now it’s taken on a whole different meaning.

But none of this pondering is helping me get to class, and I flick on the shower and wash myself quickly before drying and wrapping a towel around my body.

Reece is still lying in bed, his eyes following me as I cross the room.

“Now we’re talking.”