Page 109 of Down Beat

“You should.” His smile fades, the look he gives me pure hunger. “Do we have to get out of bed today?”

I shrug. He did say they don’t need to leave until tonight. “Not for a while, I think.”

“Perfect.”

My skin heats when he runs a hand through my hair, brushing it off my face. This man’s touch… it’s not something to be taken lightly. When a person is as guarded as he is, when they struggle with so much on the inside, a show of affection as simple as the caress of his fingers around the shell of my ear—it’s a gift.

“The door’s open,” I whisper.

“Your point is?” He pushes forward to close the space between us, teasing my lips with his own.

I soften against him, addicted already to the heady shiver his kiss incites. Only this time Rey doesn’t stop there. He shuffles closer, tilting his head so that he can intensify the contact, his tongue teasing mine in a gentle caress. He takes his time, as though he’s concerned that I’ll spook if he rushes things. And I guess in a way I might. But this reverence, the look of sheer admiration as he pulls away to ease himself over me.

I feel loved.

I think he was right.

“I’ll just, ah, close this and leave them on the table out here.”

Both Rey and I turn our heads to find Emery juggling both mugs in one hand while he pulls the door shut with the other.

“Is he always so good to you?” I say with a slight laugh.

Rey’s smile is lazy as he drops his head. “Only when he’s been laid.”

“Oh my God.” I groan, totally not needing to know that. “Way too much information.”

“Hey. Just you be glad he didn’t do it in front of you. Word of warning: Em has no sense of shame when it comes to… that.” He cocks his head as he says it.

“Anyway.”

“Anyway,” he mimics with a smile.

“Where were we?” I set my hands against his ribs, acutely aware of how hard my heart beats as I run them toward his shoulders.

I’m not normally this bold. But then again, everything about this is new.

“I do believe you were convincing me why I should stay in bed this morning.” My eyes slip closed as Rey runs his nose up mine, finishing with a gentle kiss to my forehead. “You can pick up where you left off anytime you like,” he deadpans.

I dissolve into giggles, before the contrast of this moment steals my breath.

I’m so lost in his touch, so enveloped by the moment that I completely forgot where we were not even twelve hours ago.

“Don’t slip away from me, kitty.”

I snap out of my musing to find him searching my eyes with a frown.

“Where did you go?”

“Somewhere with you,” I answer honestly. “Although I like this place better.”

“Then stay here.” He doesn’t need to say any more; he gets it. I can see it in the worry that flashes in his eyes, and in the way he runs his bottom lip between his teeth.

He was there for a fleeting second, too.

“What happens after?” I whisper. “When the tour ends?”

Rey’s jaw sets tight as he sighs. “Can we talk about that another time?”