Time (Laws of Physics #3)(77)
Later, much later, Matt requested a non-The Bangles song—“Careless Whisper” by Wham!—earning him a particular kind of look from my sister. But Ashley, Ashley’s husband Drew, and I stepped up, making it happen for the couple.
By the end of the evening, it was pretty clear who the musicians were, but everyone had a great time pitching in and helping out. It was my favorite gig in forever.
“Such a great time.” Mona used my hand to twirl herself. I carried her boots and she carried the rest of her champagne in her free hand. “What kind of tribute band do you want?” She glanced over her shoulder at me.
This time, stay.
Let me usher you to bliss.
Nothing else for me here
Just you gone, only memories remain to reminisce
Telling tales of your skin, your eyes, your mind, your kiss
Gasps and sighs and soft greedy sounds,
Amazes, razes, dazes, and astounds.
You
Never
Stay.
“Hey. Buddy. Eyes up here,” she whispered.
I didn’t lift my eyes. “In a minute.”
Mona laughed quietly and continued pulling me towards our room.
I twist and turn and ache to touch
I promise I won’t hurt you, I hope you won’t hurt me much.
I see only you,
I know you want me the same way
The pull, the push, but too soon it’s over.
I
Never
Stay.
It was late, but I didn’t know why she was whispering. The entire hotel had been reserved exclusively for the wedding. The only guests on this floor were us, and most of the other guests were still dancing in the hall.
Whereas Mona and I had left just moments ago, after I’d bent my lips to her neck and whispered a few lines I’d been thinking about all night in her ear.
“No taste of you will ever be enough,
I try to take things slow, but you tell me you want it rough.”
She’d shivered, her breathing changed, and—grabbing the lapels of my jacket—she pulled me off the dance floor mumbling something like, “VOILA! Electromagnetic desire.”
Finally, we arrived at our door. Releasing her hand, I unlocked it, opened it, tugged her through, dropped her boots, shut the door, and pushed Mona against it.
Your eyes betray you, how they search for and find me
Burns in dreams, singes reality
Stealing my breath, my thought, my sanity
A moment without you, an endless eternity.
We
Never
Stay.
“Hello.” I braced my hands on either side of her head, liking my view.
“Hello, Wall Street.” Mona sipped champagne, and then decided to chug it, watching me over the rim. When she finished, she smacked her lips, dropped the plastic cup to the floor, and smiled. “What are we doing?”
An unhurried grin took my mouth, and my attention drifted to her lips, the neckline of her shirt, the swell of her breasts. My hands fell away from the door, lowering to the mesmerizing skin between the hem of her skirt and the tops of her stockings.
“I like these stockings.” I fingered the band at the top. “You should wear them more often.”
Mona bit her bottom lip, her hand sliding inside my jacket. “I like this suit.” She tugged at my shirt. “You should take it off.”
I smiled at her bossiness, getting ready to lift her skirt and play my part. But then I stopped, and I looked at her, and I committed to memory how divine of a moment this was. Here we danced on the precipice of something new.
After tonight, a tomorrow with Mona, and a day after that, and a day after that.
So this time, don’t leave.
This time, tell me you’ll stay.
This time, don’t let life steal you away.
“Mona, my love.” I kissed the tender skin below her ear.
“That’s me.” She tilted her head, giving me more access, her hands sliding under my shirt.
“No costumes tonight.” I covered her left breast with my hand, seeking her heartbeat beneath. “I just want you.”
Her fingers lifted to my jaw, angling my face just far enough away so that our eyes could meet and dance. Staring with me, she nodded, and lifted her chin for a sweet kiss. I gave it to her.
We would have opportunity for costumes and lady rockers and Wall Street tycoons later.
But not now.
Now, we finally had time.
The End
About the Author
Penny Reid is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling Author of the Winston Brothers, Knitting in the City, Rugby, Dear Professor, and Hypothesis series. She used to spend her days writing federal grant proposals as a biomedical researcher, but now she just writes books. She’s also a full time mom to three diminutive adults, wife, daughter, knitter, crocheter, sewer, general crafter, and thought ninja.
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