Page 97 of A Bossy Roommate
With tears prickling at the corners of my eyes, I bring them closer, feeling the sobs that emanate from them as they cling to me, and I tighten the embrace.
“Love you, Auntie,” I whisper.
“I know…Cartie,” she sniffles, her voice soft and trembling. “I love you too.”
My arms strengthen, pulling them closer in the embrace. “I know.” I lower my head and place a kiss to my aunt’s wrinkled forehead.
We stay that way for what seems like an endless time—it’s not long enough, and it never will be—holding onto each other firmly, not wanting to let go.
Eventually, I allow them to reluctantly pull away, knowing it’s time to say goodbye. It’s a bittersweet moment, but I know that the memories of our time together will stay with me forever.
“You’ve been quiet,”Eden says when we get back into the car, and I pull into traffic. “I know you’re worried about her. When you handled her bags, I made her promise to video chat with you as soon as she was checked out by her doctors.”
“Thank you, Eden.”
“She also made mention of us coming to visit her for our honeymoon.”
“She did?” I smile.
“Yes, but I think I was able to direct her away from that idea when I told her how crazy work is.” Her pause is filled with a warm smile. “Of course, if youdidwant to visit her and she was insistent I came along, I wouldn’t mind.”
“You wouldn’t? Have you ever been to Paris?”
“No, never. And that wasn’t me fishing for a trip out of the country,” she adds hastily. “I was just telling you whatshesaid.”
“I know. I didn’t think you were fishing for anything. Paris is a gorgeous place. I’ll take you sometime.”
Eden grows silent. When I look over at her, her cheeks are pink. Her eyes sparkle. “You’d take me to Paris? To the city of love?”
“Sure. Everyone should go there at least once in their lives.”
I try to keep my voice casual—however, I know she likes to tease me, talking aboutlove—but the second she asked me, and the words came out of my mouth, there was no other answer. I didn’t have to think twice.
Eden has weaved her way into my life and into my heart without me realizing it.
What had started out as a fake marriage to appease my aunt has turned into something more, something real. There are feelings here that I’ve been trying to suppress, trying to put aside, because I know what’s happening between us is temporary.
And yet, despite all that, I’m beginning to fall for a woman who’s set to leave for her family’s company in just a few months—which, ironically, I’m helping to make a success. Eden’s sister Diane is pleasant to work with. With her practical no-nonsense approach, we immediately saw eye to eye when she first called. Hopefully, she won’t insist on bringing Eden back earlier than the six months she’d announced. In order to meet the growing demands, Diane will soon need to expand her staff.
Eden seems flustered by my unexpected response. “Are you sure?” she asks, bringing my thoughts back to the topic of visiting Paris with her.
“I’m always sure.”
When we get home,Eden puts her finger to her lips and all but tiptoes off the elevator so that Hattie won’t hear us and come to the door. For once, I wouldn’t have minded a chat with the woman who kept my aunt so happy. But we don’t want to wake her. With the moving company due to arrive at her doorstep at 10:00 a.m. the following day, it’s evident she has a long day ahead of her. She needs all the rest she can get. Nonetheless, I intend to pay her a visit later on to inquire if she requires any help.
Once our door is closed, however, I can’t take it anymore. I do what I have to do—I pull Eden into a kiss. Kissing her has quickly become my favorite thing, my obsession, my need. A delicious moan escapes her, one that makes me fit her closer against me. The way her body molds to mine, how her handburies itself in my hair, how her mouth automatically opens for me to explore—it drives me absolutely feral, and I want to claim every part of her.
I’m in trouble. I know that and yet, I don’t give a damn.
With her face cradled in my hands, I kiss her like I’m dying, like she’s all I need, like there’s nothing else on this earth that I want more than her.
Because, at this moment, it’s the truth.
When I draw back, she slowly opens her eyes. They’re cloudy, staring back at me as if in a daze. Before she can speak, I kiss her again, maneuvering us toward the couch, too eager and too lost in the moment. Her back hits the couch cushions, while I cover her body with mine, diving in for more.
I need to feel her lips on mine, feel her trembling with need, my body inside hers, like I need air to breathe.
We probably should talk, should discuss the unspoken things between us that I’ve been avoiding. But when I draw back to look down at her, and she looks back at me, her eyes shining with excitement, all other thoughts fly out of my head as I begin unbuckling my belt with one hand and leaning down to capture her lips once more.