← His Captive Rose
6 / 26
CHAPTER 6

Chapter 6: Stay With Me 🌢️

FREE CHAPTER

Everett had long believed he understood human nature.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  β€Ή96684423β€Ί People gravitated toward what benefited them and ran from what didn't.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  Β§57defed7 If Remi really was the kind of person Spencer described β€” well, he couldn't exactly blame her for that.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  (3174e55a)

Marcus had told him she'd already transferred the money out of the bank card.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  #7f88db6b Honestly?β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  Β©4a563b5d/May 27, 2026 He'd felt something close to relief.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  * d0a61246

He wasn't afraid of people who were after his money.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  Β·d543fbf0Β· Those people were the simplest kind.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  #3e142f5d

But here she was, standing in front of someone else, asking him that question β€” like a kid β€” and it took everything in him not to laugh.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  [v.d9e53233]

Before he could answer, the elevator doors opened.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  [ed.e58bf111]

Everett walked out first, headed straight for his suite without looking back.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  [ms.51535e6f]

Spencer took the hint and shut up, trailing after him.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  (8588661f)

Remi stood frozen in the elevator.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  Β©42c9e860/May 27, 2026 The doors were about to close again when Pierce stuck his hand out to catch them.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  Β·Β·14710fe2 "Let me get you to your room.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  sub:2b93bbc4 Whatever this is β€” deal with it tomorrow."β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β Β·dc3debac

Anyone Sutton called a best friend had to have a good temperament.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  [proof:68edbda8] Pierce was her age but carried himself with a steadiness that didn't match his years.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  ed.60d20d5e

Remi pulled her arm free.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  plate-a2a8305d Her voice shook.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  (7c49ac5a/Wed) "I'm going back to campus tonight.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β Β·666424fb I'll text Sutton and explain."β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  sub:a7806260

"I'll drive you.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  ed.77495551 You've been drinking, and if something happens to a girl walking back to school alone at this hour, Sutton will literally kill me."β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  Β·Β·8bda2431

Remi shook her head weakly.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  ΒΆ1ab699ac "Just... let me be alone for a minute."β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  refΒ·fedde6b4

She stumbled out of that gorgeous five-star hotel β€” all marble and crystal, not a tacky detail in sight β€” and the second her heels hit the bottom of the front steps, the tears came.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  [proof:3c3afba6]

She was mostly sober by now, but her whole body felt like it weighed a thousand pounds.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  (c9f3cbd2/Wed)

She found an empty corner, started to sit down on a step, then remembered the suit was Sutton's.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  no.03c9984a So she crouched instead, hugging her knees, face buried in her arms, crying in small, wounded sounds β€” like an animal licking its wounds.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  Β§d5821eea

After a while, the self-pity burned off into something sharper.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  β€Ή0b04024fβ€Ί She pulled out her phone, dug through her email until she found the one she was looking for, screenshot it, and texted the image to a number in her blocked list.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  ed.ad959d51

There had been $8 million on that card Everett gave her.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β Β·37f6281d She wasn't made of stone β€” of course she'd felt the weight of it.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  β€Ήa8971b34β€Ί

But that small, unnamed thing she felt for Everett β€” at her age, it meant more than $8 million.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  refΒ·47f7bf64

She'd been dead set on cutting him off.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  no.112e64b9 After blocking his number in a fit of anger, she hadn't exactly *not* hoped he'd find another way to reach her.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  [v.3e85f407]

A man like him had to have more than one phone number.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  ⁰04160444

But three months had passed, and he'd never once tried.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  0406e45fΒ·Β·

So she'd gone onto a charity website, scrolled carefully through the projects, and picked one that provided hygiene supplies for girls in underserved communities.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  #f55a51a2

The moment the money left the account, the weight lifted off her chest.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  β—† b59e81e4 She even felt justified pulling out the laptop Everett had given her and teaching herself to use it.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  [v.dec7605a]

*"Where are you right now?"*

Her phone buzzed in her palm.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  sub:071c75ec A text from Everett.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β Β·464a3689

She'd forgotten to re-block him after sending the screenshot.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β Β·e49256db

Seeing those words made her cry harder, as if every ounce of hurt she'd been holding rushed to the surface all at once.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  Β«d179cd40Β»

When she looked up, he was already standing there.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  ⁰b3fa5e0a Dark suit, sharp jaw, those intense eyes.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  Β«1567dfd3Β» Who else could it be?β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  refΒ·082e5eb4

Remi got to her feet like she was sleepwalking.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  Β©5f17674e/May 27, 2026 And then she cried harder β€” messy, gulping sobs.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  Β·Β·ef05341b "You really think I'm the kind of person he was talking about?"β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  imp.c78a6786

Everett reached out and pulled her into his chest.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  ⟨de780ff7⟩ One hand smoothed over the back of her head, slow and steady.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  plate-44ca91dd The other wrapped around her waist β€” so small he could nearly close his fingers around it.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  [proof:edf9529c]

"I'm not β€” I'm not like that... I was here for a friend's birthday, and this suit isn't even mine..." She pressed half her face against his chest, stammering through the tears.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  plate-8af8a4f5

"I know.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  * 66aeb60a I know now.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  ed.e9c1d480 Stop crying."β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  771e641dΒ·Β· Everett's patience surprised even himself.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  Β·54c2c549Β· On any other day, a woman's tears were the fastest way to make him walk out of a room.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  Β©c186664d/May 27, 2026

"It's too late for you to get back to campus.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  #33a5d1b1 Come with me."β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  [ms.3744a049] He didn't wait for her to agree.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β Β·9ad92f63 Just took her hand and pulled her through the VIP entrance to a private elevator.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  ed.0725350e

The second time they stood in an elevator together, everything was different.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  ΒΆ7213c01c

His arm settled around her shoulders, letting her lean into him.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  plate-d36594dd

She could feel his hand β€” strong, deliberate β€” tracing small circles on her shoulder.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  β€” ad1268ce Every pass sent a tremor through her.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  [ms.ecdccf77] Goosebumps had already spread across every inch of her skin.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  refΒ·a3630ad5

The only thing that ruined it was Spencer.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  Β·1d770a86Β· The moment they stepped off the elevator, there he was, smoking in the hallway.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  Β·Β·d464c9bf

She hadn't felt guilty before.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  ΒΆc1bb0805 But now, for some reason, she ducked her head and avoided his eyes.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  [ed.f58c9c1c]

Spencer had heard about the donation.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  [v.02dca0b4] His pride stung a little, but Remi was clearly Everett's now, and he knew when to course-correct.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  β—† 2210f925

"About the elevator earlier... I was out of line.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  Β«3c32a0adΒ» Forget everything I said β€” it was all crap.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  β€” 262b84f8 Any girl Ev picks isn't gonna be wrong.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  [ms.7a0a07fd] Get some rest tonight, yeah?"β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  plate-26c85515 Half apology, half joke, and then he disappeared into his room.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  [v.312c9298]

Remi's face was on fire.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  sub:39e925ee She didn't need to be worldly to catch exactly what Spencer was implying.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  Β·Β·77f9b034

This was her first real glimpse into Everett's world.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  * 3402fe47 Once inside the suite, she tried to mask her nerves by wandering aimlessly around the room.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  #2f9e1b15

"What β€” checking for someone hiding in here?"β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  [proof:fdd0f0a8] Everett filled a glass with warm water and handed it to her.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  no.28a2ac8b

She didn't know what to do with her hands.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  [proof:a7756199] She took the glass with one and scratched the back of her head with the other.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  [ed.da4a7847] "Is there only one bed?"β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  #db835431

Everett stood facing her and slipped off his suit jacket.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  sub:d1a37020 Remi stumbled backward so fast she nearly cracked her skull on the wardrobe β€” until his hand shot out and caught her.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  no.0595214a

And then they were right back where they'd been downstairs.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  [proof:f7930fdd] She braved it this time, sliding her arms around his waist.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  (1a8de1f7) Under the white dress shirt, his torso was all lean, hard muscle.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  imp.65dc67a4

Her hands roamed restlessly over his sides through the fabric, and she thought to herself: *God, what a body.*

Everett covered her hands with his, stilling them.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  [v.e7cb66b8] His voice dropped low, right against her ear.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  Β§254b18ac "Touching over clothes is no fun."β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  no.39450da0

That flipped a switch.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  [ms.e152baa6] Remi sprang out of his arms like she'd been shocked.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  plate-a4ffe197

She barely made it a step before he pulled her back.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  #478ff808

One hand settled on the small of her back, slipping under the hem of her top.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  sig.6e3a6de4

His palms were completely smooth β€” not a single callus.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  no.b594078c The instant his skin met the bare curve of her lower back, a full-body shiver ran through her and a small, involuntary sound escaped her lips.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  no.59baac7b

He must have felt her tense up, because his other hand went to the back of her head, gentle and soothing.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  Β·4f9b63b5Β· His mouth grazed her ear.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  no.d9876574 "Don't be scared."β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  (d1e1f2f1)

She'd never experienced anything like this.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  ΒΆ4cfd2849 She was learning in real time that her ears were absurdly sensitive.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  sub:d37c6d5d

She clapped a hand over one ear and tried to pull away, but the arm around her waist tightened and drew her forward again.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  227cfa1eΒ·Β·

Whether Everett meant to or not, that arm pressed her hips flush against his.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  * da4a4abd

She wasn't naive.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  [proof:bbe15990] She could feel him β€” unmistakably, impressively hard against her β€” and her face went scarlet.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  Β©a6cf1472/May 27, 2026

"Don't be scared.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  ⁰f0952192 Let's move to the bed.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  Β§988f0ac0 You'll be more comfortable."β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  (ab072b96) His lips were pressed right to her ear as he said it, and the warmth of his breath slipped under her skin like something intoxicating.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  [v.af514616]

He bent his knees slightly and scooped her up in one fluid motion.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  imp.11074192

In those few steps to the bed, he kissed her face β€” once, twice, a dozen times, soft and unhurried.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  [f0261ec7]

He laid her down like she was made of glass.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  β€” galley 73a4edcf β€”

Remi was so nervous her eyes stayed shut, both fists clenching the sheets.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  #eeb40e71

He knew she'd never done this before, so he ditched the intensity he was used to and dialed himself all the way down.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  no.c42c7437 Patient.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  Β·Β·bce29f9d Deliberate.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  β€Ή452c128cβ€Ί

He undid three buttons.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  * dc109c39 Her white bra came into view.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  ed.3d349a65 Even lying on her back, her shape didn't flatten β€” full and perfectly rounded.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  [v.0813a210]

Remi felt his fingers reach for the last button and grabbed his hand, her voice a breathy whine.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  [ms.1be9de30] "Don't look... please..."

His hand was broad enough to gather both her wrists in one grip, lifting them above her head.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  imp.d57a1f5f "Why would I not look at something this beautiful?"β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  imp.11a020b6

He parted her top and eased the fabric aside, exposing the bra completely.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  (8dfade6e)

He slid a hand beneath the small of her back, unclasped it with practiced ease, and pushed it gently upward.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  ΒΆ6bcdc5bd

She felt like she'd forgotten how to breathe.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  (6b72b325/Wed) She bit her lower lip and turned her face away β€” couldn't look at him.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  imp.796ab1d3

"Lift up a little," he murmured by her ear, nudging her to arch.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  [40a848d4]

Mortified as she was, she obeyed β€” like she was under a spell β€” raising her body so he could slide the blouse off her arms.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  sig.77adf7ae

With the blouse gone, the bra slipped free easily.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  sig.0d003d94

Everett glanced down and let out a quiet laugh.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  Β©dff3cea0/May 27, 2026 "You really do love white."β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  imp.c68a6b4c

Remi's brain had stopped working.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  [proof:c35f38b6] Every thought, every nerve β€” all of it trained on Everett's face, inches from hers.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  [a3a6d02f] Sharp angles, a mouth that could be wicked or sweet.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  β—† 300ef3ce

She'd never been this close to him.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  Β·Β·8173a2d7 Brave all of a sudden, she reached up and touched his cheek, her thumb tracing toward the bridge of his nose.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  [v.78fe48d0]

"Touch here."β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  β—† 1908d0ac He caught her wrist, something dark and teasing in his smile, and guided her hand down β€” straight to where he was hard and straining.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  fa0a6fc4Β·Β·

She yelped and tried to yank her hand back, but he'd anticipated that.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  sig.9d7efee5 A little pressure, and she couldn't move.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  Β§acccb58a

"Undo my belt.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  imp.88790945 It's killing me."β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  β€” 176dac57 His voice had gone rough somewhere along the way, his breathing heavier than before.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β Β·863b0370

She nodded, obedient, and reached for his buckle.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  refΒ·2d4ce4e6

But men's belt buckles were different from women's, and she couldn't figure it out.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  [proof:9e0cd971] Sweat beaded on her forehead.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  Β«56da76faΒ»

Everett stood up and handled it himself.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  Β©52989f2f/May 27, 2026 Standing at the edge of the bed, right in front of her, he stripped β€” shirt, pants β€” piece by piece.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  (c507b239)

When she saw him fully, her hands flew to the mattress and she scooted backward without thinking.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  (18989cd3/Wed)

A faint crease appeared between his brows.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  9bf3087fΒ·Β· He turned away, walked to the mini fridge, pulled out a bottle of water, and drank half of it standing up.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  β—† 3e74c90a

Then he grabbed a bathrobe, shrugged it on, stood at the window for a few seconds, and came back.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  β—† 24a97ca9 He stretched out beside her, half-reclined.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  ⁰e651b218

She genuinely hadn't been ready.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  sub:a99f5d28 But the fact that he'd stopped on his own made her feel worse than anything.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  Β«c351fd35Β»

She didn't dare ask him why.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  (59bf6d59/Wed) Just curled away from him on the bed.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  refΒ·df02b589

He didn't reach for her the way it happened in novels β€” no spooning from behind.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  β—† 9f645543 He just touched her hair, lightly, and spoke.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  imp.79f342dd "If you're not ready, we don't do this.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  no.89f6cba6 Whenever you're actually okay with it.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  [proof:5b10b899] No rush."β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  refΒ·66171d39

"Wear this robe and go take a shower.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  refΒ·6606e0cb Everything's been sanitized."β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  β€” galley e6ddae1d β€”

Remi was dead on her feet.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  cee7f570Β·Β· She took the robe without a word and headed for the bathroom.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  [ms.8897cc7c]

After they'd both showered, Everett lay down first.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  Β·Β·3bab8794 He watched her standing at the foot of the bed, patted the spot beside him, and said: "Come here."β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  [v.daeb5bea]

Five months ago, Remi couldn't have dreamed she'd be falling asleep beside Everett Aldridge, her head on his arm, his other arm draped loosely over her waist.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  Β«d7da65a0Β»

His chin rested on top of her head.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  no.5b8a5f02 His voice came out low and a little rough.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  no.39972eae "Stay with me.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  plate-63f56cc3 From now on."β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  β—† 77f12f93

Was that the declaration she'd been waiting for?β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  #9df181f5

She knew, clearly, that it wasn't.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  no.d95ea593 But she wasn't stupid.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  ΒΆ80bed6d2 Nothing worth having happened all at once β€” especially not with feelings.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  #e0ae7a39

At twenty, though, she loved the way a believer loved their god.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  plate-af854f12 With everything.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  Β·Β·cb26a732 Everett filled her whole field of vision.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  ΒΆ27f9cfc2

Nothing happened that night.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  imp.c1ce2d96 When she woke up the next morning, she was still in his arms.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  ⁰b0a69799

A sliver of light leaked through the blackout curtains β€” just enough to make out his profile.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  imp.6cdceabc

She carefully slid one arm free and reached over, tracing the line of his nose with her index finger.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  refΒ·6a612251

"You're up?"β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  7135a01bΒ·Β· His voice came out of nowhere and she flinched, hand snapping back.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  β—† 8da97c25

He caught it.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  [v.6a8382c5] Brought it to his lips and pressed a kiss against her fingers.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  ed.9f64eebe

"When did you wake up?"β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  [a91bd736] she whispered, voice soft as a cat's.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  14c64395Β·Β·

"A little before you.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  sub:cb5b37b9 Rough couple of days β€” I'm wiped."β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  β€Ή007a1051β€Ί When he relaxed, his words carried a hint of a D.C.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  Β§75b23e9a accent.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  β€Ήb3661d16β€Ί

Then his hand found her waist, fingers roaming, teasing.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  [9a0ca38c] "Too skinny.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  1693ea78Β·Β· You need to eat more."β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  no.8e8e67d4

Except his hand kept traveling upward, and Remi froze β€” didn't dare move.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  plate-0a0fb97d

"Now *this* is where it counts."β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  sig.edf582a9 His palm settled over the soft curve of her chest, and every inch of her skin broke out in goosebumps.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  [9554b3f4]

Her legs twisted together nervously.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  β€Ή3b4e980aβ€Ί One foot accidentally brushed his leg and she jerked it back like she'd touched a hot stove.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  imp.1dc160cf

But Everett hooked a hand behind her knee and pulled one leg over, his palm running slow circles along her inner thigh.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  Β·Β·e8edd3af

It was the strangest, most electric thing she'd ever felt.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  Β·Β·87834353 She leaned into the warmth of his hand, giving in to it.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β Β·c9fbd07a

Inch by inch, she pressed her face against his chest, breathing in the clean, woodsy scent that clung to his skin.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  [ed.3a228bdb] The panic from last night faded a little.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  ΒΆfbff6588

*Now,* she thought.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  Β·c98128a1Β· *Right now, I'm ready.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  sig.8f7ca51c I can let myself love him completely.*

But the silence shattered.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  [ed.cdfe5f13] A phone rang.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  Β©e2b4ef04/May 27, 2026 Everett freed one hand to grab it; the other stayed on her waist, fingers tracing the curve down to her hip and back again.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  [v.177be769]

The room was so quiet she could hear Spencer's voice through the speaker: "Ev, you really pulling the 'beauty in bed, king skips court' thing right now?β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  refΒ·dca44554 Did you forget who we're meeting today?"β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  [proof:6ec44b9b]

Everett sat up, lazy and unhurried, propping himself against the headboard.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  * 4bed68c1 "Let them wait.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  sub:00526d8d We're doing *them* a favor by investing out here."β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  (a2d9ba4d)

Even as he talked, his free hand played with a strand of Remi's hair, winding it around one finger.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  [v.0f984c34]

She watched that lock of hair looping between his long, elegant fingers and thought: *I wish I could wrap myself around him like that.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  Β§c2e903e3 And never let go.*

After he hung up, she finally worked up the nerve to ask.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  ⁰c78f0d3a "When did you get to Nashville?"β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  β€” b90258fe

"I'll be here for a while this time.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  * 90c62841 When you don't have class, I'll send Marcus to pick you up."β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  no.1aeba859 He didn't answer her question.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  imp.1fd6493a Just kissed her forehead, got up, and walked into the bathroom.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  ⁰79f84502

Remi was perceptive enough to read between the lines.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  * 59792421 Everett didn't like people prying into his business.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  (2a01d72e/Wed)

The realization stung.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  Β§f80f996b She climbed out of bed and slipped into the other bathroom β€” the one without the tub.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  sub:83eb4fbd

After they'd both gotten ready, Remi was still in the hotel robe.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  β€Ήbf21514aβ€Ί Everett sat with a coffee from room service and gestured for her to come over.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  [ms.4aa9e873]

The second she was within reach, he caught her wrist and pulled her sideways onto his lap.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  [v.94514ec4]

His voice carried a rare softness.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  #3368db78 One hand in her hair, the other around her waist.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  Β·Β·d92c2f46 "I'm having Marcus take you back to campus first.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  ⟨f1c6db0b⟩ I'll come get you later tonight."β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  ee600586Β·Β·

Remi nodded.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  #60776720 Not long after Everett left, there was a knock at the door β€” someone delivering a package he'd ordered.β€Œβ β€β€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ€Œβ β β β€Œβ€Œο»Ώο»Ώβ€β ο»Ώβ€β€ο»Ώβ€β€Œβ€Œβ€β€β ο»Ώο»Ώβ€ο»Ώβ€β  ed.f57fc05a