Page 72 of Before Eve

His eyes widen in interest. In surprise. In wariness. It’s the wariness that has me frowning. “Believe me, sex is on my mind a lot, too.”

My breathing stops.

“Oh, Blue Eyes…” he sighs.

“I like it when you call me that.”

His expression gentles even more. “Eve, you have no idea how much I want to experience that with you. But, we’re not ready.”

We’renot ready. I’m so glad he didn’t sayIwasn’t ready.

Although, I’m not.

I stretch out beside him, staring up at the ceiling. I’m fully aware of West just inches from me, breathing. I rotate my head and look at him to find him staring right back. Drinking me in really. Memorizing my details. Like he’s hungryor something.

I have a flash of me in the bathroom pleasuring myself, but just as quickly as the flash comes, insecurity replaces it. Why? I don’t want insecurity. I want the pleasure.

Taking the initiative, I roll over and snuggle into his side, and he wraps his arm around me and pulls me in. “Make no mistake,” he whispers, “when that does happen for us, it will be the most amazing thing either of us has ever experienced.”

He brushes his lips across my temple and then slowly caresses his nose up and down my hairline, breathing me in.

“I did miss you,” I softly admit.

CHAPTER 35

West left me a note.I’ve read it a million times since getting up and around.

Brunch. My suite. 11 am.

I’d fallen asleep last night, cuddled into West as he soothingly stroked my back.My back,and I didn’t even freak. At some point during the night, he left, and when I woke up this morning, the note was on my bedside table.

Anne comes out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around her. “West and Eve sitting in a tree…”

“Oh, shut up.”

“Dude, seriously? I’m so happy for you, I don’t know what to do with myself.” She drops her towel and starts dressing.

I blow out a nervous breath. What is my problem? I’ve got to calm down. It’s just brunch.

In. His. Suite.

It’s a second chance, and I don’t want to blow it. “Do you have any makeup I can use?”

“Are you serious?” She hops into her jeans. “Hell, yeah.” She yanks on a shirt and pulls the desk chair out. “Sit down.”

I do, and she excitedly digs around in her bag. “Not a lot,” I tell her. I’ve never worn makeup before. I don’t want to overdo my first time.

She waves me off. “I got this.”

She spins me so I can’t watch in the mirror and breaks out a brush. She swipes it through white powder. “Close your eyes.”

Soft bristles touch my lids. I ask, “What are you going to do today?”

She picks something else up and moves close again, this time brushing my lashes. “Well,I met this hot girl last night, and we’re doing lunch later.”

Excitement dances in me for her. “Really? That’s so great, Anne.”

“You’ll have to meet her. She’s coming to tomorrow’s show. You’ll like her. Maybe we can all do something afterward.” She smears something on my lips. “That is if you’re not with West.”