DESPERATE & DIVINE

17. Secret Smiles

In the morning, as her alarm blares and she reluctantly starts to leave, I find myself struggling to let her go. We share a soft laugh by the door, and before she can reach for the handle, I pin her against it, playfully nipping at her bottom lip as I kiss her, my hands roaming freely over her body.

"You're insatiable," she teases, her voice breathy as I trail kisses down her neck. "I thought I did a pretty good job satisfying you last night." Her fingers tangle in my hair, scratching lightly at my scalp in a way that makes me melt into her.

"You did," I whisper between kisses, my lips ghosting over her neck. "I just... can't get enough of you."

I feel like I'm burning up, wanting to keep her here for hours, but when she mentions needing to go back, I try to contain my pout. She giggles at my expression and leans in for a soft, tender kiss that almost makes me forget why she has to leave in the first place.

Reluctantly, I pull back with a sigh, knowing I can't hold her hostage at the door forever. "See you at breakfast?" I ask, trying to mask my disappointment with a smile.

"Definitely," she replies with that familiar, charming grin. She kisses me one more time, sweet and lingering. "Save me a seat."

"How about my face?" I quip back, cheeky as ever, just as her hand reaches for the door.

She raises an eyebrow, winking as she steps out. "I'll take you up on that later," she promises, stealing one last kiss before slipping away. "See you soon."

As I step into the shower, feeling the delicious ache between my legs and the warmth of last night's passion lingering in my body, I can't stop smiling. The memory of her, the way she touches me, the way she looks at me—all of it feels like pure bliss.

~

Arriving at breakfast much later than intended, I may have spent just a little extra time perfecting my hair and picking out gym wear that—coincidentally—highlights all the right places for yoga later. Purely accidental, of course.

"Ah, look who finally made it," Beth says with a grin, taking a sip of her coffee before nudging Leah with her elbow. "We were starting to think this one over here did you in."

Well, Leah did manage to kill something last night—if the ache in my legs is any indication.

I laugh softly as I slide into the seat across from Less, who offers a quick, tight smile before focussing back on her porridge. The coldness is a bit unexpected, but I brush it off, mentally noting to check in with her later. My eyes can't help but flick to the left, to where Leah is sitting. She catches my gaze, and there's that familiar, knowing smirk between us, a secret exchanged in a heartbeat.

"So, did you eat well last night?" Beth teases, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she looks between Leah and me, and Leah visibly blushes.

I stifle a laugh, nodding as I pour myself a glass of water. "More than enough, thanks for asking, Bethany." I can't resist the playful dig as I look at Leah, who's biting back a grin. "It was absolutely delicious."

"And how was the food?" Kyra jumps in with perfect comedic timing, prompting a round of laughter around the table. I shake my head, impressed at how quickly Kyra picks up on the subtext, effortlessly adding fuel to the teasing fire.

Beth pats Leah on the back in mock admiration. "You know, she's a real lady, this one! Back in her room by half ten—proper, respectful Leah Cathrine."

Leah and I exchange another glance, one that says what we did to each other last night was far from respectful, and we wouldn't change a single thing.

"We were just catching up, honestly," Leah tries to play it cool, though the barely concealed grin pulling at her lips completely gives her away. "Can't two old friends just enjoy a quiet dinner together without all the speculation?"