Page 201 of Empire State Enemies

That’s when you know. When you’ve buried your face in the guy’s armpit, it’s love.

Because when you’re in love, every inch of your partner’s body is sexy.

Even the armpits.

Especially the armpits.

“You’re tickling my armpit now,” Connor chuckles, his voice rumbling through his chest and vibrating against my head.

“Sorry,” I giggle, pulling my face out of Connor’s armpit. I should probably keep the weirdo vibes at bay during the honeymoon period.

I rest my head on his chest, giving him the doe-eyed look as if I hadn’t just been motorboating his underarm. “What now?” I ask.

“We should probably try to catch some sleep,” he says with a smile.

“No, I mean about us,” I clarify. I wish I could just leave this sensitive topic until tomorrow, but my brain won’t let me. “I’m in Maryland, and you’re here.”

He looks taken aback, as if the thought hadn’t crossed his mind. “Aren’t you planning on coming back to New York?”

Shit shit shit.

“I thought you wanted to,” he says, eyes drilling into me with that intense blue gaze.

I hate what I’m about to say.

“Connor, not yet. Mom’s just settled in, and I don’t want to disrupt her life any more than I already have. And I like my job, it’s allowing me to save loads.” I nervously bite my lip. “Realistically I think I’ll be there a year before I can come back.”

Will you wait for me?

Couldn’t I have waited and let us bask in the afterglow of great sex for at least one night before dropping this bombshell of reality?

But Connor just shrugs, like it’s no big deal. “It’s okay. We’ll work it out.”

“Really?” I ask, my voice a mix of hope and incredulity. “Do you think we can do long-distance?”

He plants a kiss on my forehead, his lips tender, his stubble scraping slightly. “I’m down to a three-day office week. I can make weekends in Maryland work.”

I blink at him, surprised. Wow, I was not expecting that. “You’re seriously okay with that? I’ll come back to New York too, of course.”

“Yeah, Lexi,” he says, and the softness in his voice makes my heart squeeze. “I’m okay with whatever means we can be together.”

I know the goofy smile spreading across my face isn’t exactly sexy, but I can’t help it.

“I’ll give you room in my sock drawer in Maryland,” I say.

Connor raises an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at his lips. “Christ, room in a sock drawer? In return for putting myself between you and a bullet? What do I need to do to get a full closest?”

“Go down on me for a few more hours, and I’ll consider it.” I smirk.

He chuckles again, the sound low and rough. With a playful glint in his eye, he starts to maneuver me off, then lays me down on my back.

He begins his descent. Oh boy, this is going to be good.

As he trails kisses down my body, igniting a fire wherever his lips touch, I can’t help but giggle.

“Ticklish?” he teases, his lips dancing along my skin.

“No,” I gasp, “Just . . . happy and horny.”