by Wendy Smith
Miranda laughs. “Maybe. Let’s just make the most of it.”
As soon as we step into the elevator, I take her in my arms and kiss her. “I can pretend to be married to you for a night.”
She laughs. “Okay. Just for one night. Can you make sure you put the garbage out?”
“Already done.” I lean my head against hers.
When we step out of the elevator, I check the envelope containing the key card and we walk down the corridor to find our room.
It doesn’t take long.
Tara has outdone herself.
“Wow.” Miranda steps in and looks around. This isn’t a hotel room; it’s like an apartment. A long sofa greets us with a large tv hanging on the wall opposite. To the right is what looks like a decent kitchen. To the left, the door to the bedroom is open, and together we walk toward it.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a large bed.
“I need one of these at home.” Walking along the end of the bed, I drag my fingers over the quilt. “I bet it’s really comfortable.”
“We’ll find out soon enough.” Miranda drops my jacket and the bottle on the bed before crossing the room and opening the bathroom door. “Oh my God, Jackson. This is amazing.”
In the room is a large spa tub.
This must be the damn honeymoon suite.
“I love it. Thank you for suggesting it.” She takes my hands in hers. Her eyes shine with excitement.
“I’m glad I did. You’re radiant.”
“I’m feeling very spoiled.” She pushes herself up on her toes and gives me a soft kiss.
“I hope it makes up for the more difficult parts of this weekend.”
“And then some.” Her cheeks are flushed, and her happiness exudes from every pore.
“You’re worth it.”
Taking my hand in hers, she leads me back out through the bedroom and to the sofa. “What are you doing?”
“This.” She lets out a long breath as she sits, dropping her shoes onto the floor. “That feels much better.”
“Sore feet?”
“I hate wearing heels.”
“I’d be happy to give you a foot rub.”
She wrinkles her nose. “I’m not letting you near my feet. They’ve been encased in stockings and shoes all afternoon. They’re probably pretty stinky right now.”
I chuckle. “You haven’t smelled my socks at their worst. Yet.”
She throws back her head and laughs.
“We could run a bath in that big tub, and then I can rub your feet.”
Miranda looks back at me. “That sounds like a wonderful idea after today.”
“It was a beautiful wedding.”
She gets this wistful look in her eyes. “It was lovely. Leia was a gorgeous bride.”
“And no bridezilla moments.”
Shaking her head, she stands. “No. Thankfully.”
I lean down and kiss her tenderly. “I’ll go and get supplies, and then sort out this bath. See if there are some glasses around here, and maybe we can share the wine while we bathe.”
“Oooh I like that idea.” She waggles her eyebrows.
“And then when your feet are clean, I’ll rub them.”
As I leave the room, her laughter is music to my ears.
All I want is for her to be happy.
I head back out to the elevators.
It’s not until I reach outside that I regret leaving my jacket behind. The weather’s cooled even more, but the thought of her back up in the room keeps me warm.
At the 7-Eleven, I grab a box of condoms and a pack of buttered microwave popcorn. I never dreamed this weekend would go this well. I thought Miranda would hide behind the wedding and her family to keep me at a distance. But she seems happy to go with the flow, and that makes my heart happy.
It’s been a long time since I’ve felt this good.
I pay the cashier and head back toward the hotel. Up in that suite is my future. I’ve never been so sure of it.
She’s lying back on the sofa when I get back inside the room, and she smiles as I enter.
“Condoms and popcorn.” I place them on the coffee table.
“What a combination.”
I shrug. “It all sounds good to me. I’ll go and sort out this bath.”
“The bath is running. It’s going to take a while.” She laughs. “I also found a couple of wine glasses. They were tucked in the cupboard, so I was about to suggest we use mugs until I found them.”
“Classy.” I grin.
“That’s me.”
I walk back into the bathroom. This’ll take a while, but I want her to get whatever relaxation she can before we go home tomorrow.
Home.
The thought hits me hard in the gut.
We’ll go our separate ways, and while I’m sure I’ll see her again, have I done enough to convince her that we could be the real deal?
No. We are the real deal.
As the water runs, I drop some bath salts into it and inhale the light lavender scent.
Perfect.
I strip off my shirt, and laugh at the clink of glasses as Miranda walks into the bathroom behind me.
She sets down the wine bottle on the edge of the bath and reaches around my waist to unbutton my pants.
“Just trying to help.”
When I turn, she’s out of her dress and wrapped in a thick, fluffy bathrobe.
“I wanted to strip you out of that dress.”
She pouts. “I saw the robe and wanted to wear it. It feels so good against my skin.”
My eyebrows arch. “Are you naked under that?”
Biting her bottom lip, she nods. “It made sense seeing as we’re about to get in the bath.”
“You’re spoiling all my fun tonight.”
Miranda cups my face, and pulls me to her for a kiss. “There’s still plenty of time.”
“Never enough,” I murmur as I bury my face in her neck. She unzips my pants and pushes them down before I finish the job.
“You’re good for my ego, Mr. Booth.” She cocks her head.
“You’re good for my heart.” I pause. “I think that bath will be ready now.”
Turning, I check the temperature before twisting off the taps. I take a step in as Miranda drops her robe. Settling back, I hold out my hand and she takes it, placing one foot gingerly into the water.
“I was worried you were going to have it way too hot for me.”
As she sits in front of me, I lean over. “I don’t need it too hot. I’ve got you to keep me warm.”
“Sometimes, you say the corniest things.”
“Do you hate it?”
She laughs. “No. I like it.”
“Then I’ll keep doing it.”
Miranda lies back in my arms and sighs. “This was such a good idea.”
“Better than your childhood room?”
“At least we don’t have an audience tonight.”
I laugh. “I noticed your sister hinting at that this morning. And I thought you’d be embarrassed about it.”
“There’s nothing to be embarrassed about. I had a great night in bed with my . . .”
I nuzzle her ear. “Your what?”
“Never mind.”
“I want to know what you were going to say.”
She shrugs. “I don’t even know where that sentence was going.”
Stroking her breast, I gently pinch her nipple. “Are you sure? I’d still love to know how it finished.”
Miranda turns her head and plants a kiss on my arm. “Use your imagination.”
“Well, in my imagination, that sentence ends in boyfriend and you admit that you want more from me.”
She laughs. “You’re not going to miss any opportunity, are you?”
“Not when it comes to you.”
“Good. I kinda like it.”
“I’m going to win your heart, Miranda Clarke. You just better be ready for me.”
She sits up and looks back at me. �
��You’re doing an amazing job so far.”
“What else can I do?”
Reaching up, she runs her fingertips down my cheek. “Just keep being your wonderful self, Jackson. That’s more than enough.”
“Maybe I should have brought the condoms in here with me.”
She waggles her eyebrows. “I’m not sure if they work that well under water. I’m on the pill. I haven’t been with anyone else for quite some time, and I know I’m fine from a medical point of view.”
“I like the thought of that. And I’m clear too.”
For a moment, she just gazes at me. Then she rises until she’s on her knees in front of me, her eyes filled with need.
I need her too.
Reaching out, I cup her pussy, sliding a finger inside it.
Her breathing quickens.
“I would say you’re wet, but we’re sitting in the bath. So . . .”
A smile plays on her lips. “What are you going to do about it?”
“Well, I thought I might just make you come and then have you sit on my cock.”
She nods. “Did you now?”
“Sound good to you?”
Her smile widens. “I think I’d quite like that.”
“Followed by a night being held in my arms?”
“Sounds perfect to me.”
I pull my finger out and slide it over her clit.
“I’ve never done this in the bath before.”
“First time for everything.” I grin.
I hold her hip steady as I stroke her clit. She’s still up on her knees, but she trembles when I speed things up. I ache to be inside her, but I want to see that look on her face when she comes.
Her lips part, and she bites her bottom lip. She closes her eyes, but seems to force them open again. Her breathing’s heavy.
“Jackson.” She moans.
“Give it to me, Miranda.”
She lets out a long breath, shuddering and grasping my shoulder. I grin, sliding my fingers into her.
“I love watching you.” She looks at me with hooded eyes Her cheeks are flushed, and it’s not from the warm water. “Come here.”
Miranda straddles my hips, and I guide myself inside her.
“You always feel so good,” she says.
I run my hand up her spine, and she leans over to kiss me. “You’re so fucking beautiful,” I murmur.
She rocks her hips, the water splashing with each move. Sliding my hands down to her ass, I pull her on top of me. Her hooded gaze tells me everything I need to know about how she’s feeling.
“Feel good, darlin’?”
She nods, leaning forward and sliding her arms around my neck. Her hips keep going as she rides me, and her sweet breath on my neck drives me insane.
“You and me, Miranda. We’re pretty perfect together.”
“We are,” she whispers.
“I’m going to come.” I let out a groan, my body tightening and then releasing. But I don’t let go. I hold her tight and close my eyes, running my hands up her bare back.
“Jackson.” Her tone is soft, and there’s more emotion in it than I think she’d like to reveal. She feels this bond between us too.
With a sigh, she slips off my lap and into the water beside me.
I pick up the bottle of wine and pop the cork.
She grins as I pour her a glass and hand it to her before pouring one for myself. I take a sip. Miranda’s sister has good taste.
“This is the most decadent thing I’ve done in forever.” Miranda takes a sip of wine. “I think it’s exactly what I needed.”
“Wait. There’s something missing.”
She gives me a curious look as I move to the other side of the tub, placing my glass on the side.
I pick up one of her feet, and rub the ball of it with my thumbs. Her shoulders slump, and she lets out a sigh. “You are a man of many talents.”
“This is the most relaxed I’ve seen you all weekend.”
She leans back. “Being with you does relax me. Being in this bath is helping too.”
“Then our evening has achieved something.”
Taking another sip of wine, she nods. “It’s nice to have some time alone with you.”
“So much for our fake date.”
Laughing, she places her glass on the side of the bath. “I don’t know if it was ever really going to work that way.”
“I hoped it wouldn’t. I hoped that I’d convince you to make it real.”
“This is about as real as it gets.” She smiles, and I let go of her foot, picking up the other one. “Now, if we could only work out how to stay in this tub permanently.”
I grin. “I’m game if you are.”
She shakes her head. “We’ll be prunes by the end of the first night.”
“I’d still want you if you were a prune.”
Miranda laughs. “You always know what to say.”
“I hope I do. At least, I want to as far as you’re concerned.”
“You’re doing everything right so far. I can tell you that much.”
“That’s all I need to hear.”
Miranda yawns when we get to the bedroom.
“Don’t you dare fall asleep yet.” I smile. “I’ll just go and sort out this popcorn.”
She scratches her head as she climbs onto the bed. “I can’t make any promises.”
I grin, and head back out to grab the popcorn and put it in the microwave.
Miranda’s sitting up when I get back. She’s pointing the remote at the TV and scrolling through the movies on offer.
“Anything good?” I ask, climbing onto the bed beside her.
“Lots of older stuff. Get over here and help me choose.”
“Sure thing.” I take the remote she offers me and wriggle closer, placing the popcorn bag between us. She takes a deep breath. “Oh, that smells good.”
“I’m thinking if it’s not enough, we’ll hit up room service afterward.”
“I like that idea. If I don’t fall asleep first.”
I flick through the movies. “What sort of movie are we looking for? Something funny? Something that’ll make you cry?”
Miranda snuggles into my side. “No. No crying tonight. I think I shed enough tears at the wedding.”
“Something funny, then. Something old or something new?”
She grins at me, reaching over to run her fingers through my beard. “You pick.”
“This is a favorite.” I click on Ghostbusters.
“Is it the first one?”
“It sure is.”
“Let’s watch that.”
She nestles into my arms when the movie starts playing. There’s something very comforting about lying on this big bed together, wrapped in soft robes, with a large bag of popcorn to share. I want this life.
“Miranda?”
“Hmm?”
“Do you ever get lonely?”
She pulls back a bit, and blinks rapidly. “Sometimes. Why?”
“I do. It’s weird. The bar’s busy and I’m surrounded by people, but I feel so isolated. I’ve not once felt that way this weekend, so thank you.”
She gives me a small smile despite her eyes welling with tears. “I’m happy to hear that. And I do understand. I get lonely sometimes too. And my life is crazy busy.”
“I’d like to think that even if this thing between us goes nowhere, that I’ve found a friend.”
Her face lights up, and she wipes away the tears that have rolled down her cheeks. “Me too. You’re one in a million, Jackson.”
She closes her eyes as I press a kiss to her forehead. “You’re one in a billion.”
“It’s not a competition.” She laughs.
I sigh, stroking her arm and taking in that smile. “I don’t ever want to leave this bed.”
“I’m game if you are.” She grins, parroting my words from the bathroom. I think we’ve officially moved into this hotel room.
Silence falls over us, and while the movie’s playin
g, I’m barely paying attention.
“Tell me about your parents?”
Her question catches me by surprise. “What do you want to know?”
“They did a pretty amazing job with you. I just want to know more. If that’s okay.” Her voice is tinged with tiredness. Today’s been pretty long, and that soak in the bath hasn’t helped. I think we could both quite happily go to sleep right this second.
“I was nine when my mom died. And I guess that’s why I feel so close to Grace. I know what she’s been through. But I remember the happiness. I remember my parents being happy and ridiculously affectionate.”
She smiles. “I love that.”
“They were a real team. I grew up behind that bar, and they worked it together. I guess I always thought I’d find someone who could do that with me.”
She lets out a sigh. “That’s so sweet.”
For a moment, I hesitate. I don’t want to scare her. But if this is my only chance to convince her to give us a try, I have to tell her everything. “You’re the only woman I’ve ever pictured behind the bar with me.”
Her eyes fill with emotion. “Jackson.”
“I know. I know. It’s way too early to say that, and you have your own career. I’d never ask you to give it up for me. You worked so hard and for so long, and I’d be so proud of you whatever you did.”
She gives me a faint smile. “You’re good for my ego.”
“Well, it’s no secret that I think you’re amazing.”
Miranda pulls me over for a kiss. “Look at all you’ve done too. You might have inherited the bar, but you’ve made it bigger and better. And that’s all your hard work. I admire that.”
I grin. “It’s only going to get better when our worlds combine.”
She laughs. “I think they already did.”
It’s not until about halfway through the movie that we start watching. It doesn’t matter. I’ve seen this so many times, I almost know parts of it by heart.
When the movie’s over, I turn my head. Miranda’s fast asleep with her head resting on my chest. It’s been a long day, and I can’t blame her for being this tired.
I pull out a couple of pillows from behind us and lower her down.
She stirs. “Did I fall asleep?”
“You did. I’m sorry I disturbed you.”
She gives me a sleepy smile. “Don’t be sorry. I want to be awake. I want to make the most of the time we have together.”
