Chapter 269
**Tom**
I woke to Sara's gentle weight curled against my chest, her breathing soft and steady in sleep. The morning light filtered through the windows, casting a warm glow across her peaceful face.
Her reaction to the necklace last night kept replaying in my mind. I'd spent hours at the jeweler's, second-guessing my choice. The key pendant had caught my eye immediately - delicate but meaningful. Still, I'd worried it might be too forward, too serious for where we were. But that look on her face when she opened the box, the way her usual sass melted away into genuine surprise and pleasure - worth every minute of uncertainty.
I pulled her closer, breathing in the scent of her hair. The pendant had been perfect, just like I'd hoped. Much better than my emoji prank, though her outrage over that had been pretty entertaining, too.
She made a small sound in her sleep and snuggled deeper into my embrace. Her naked body pressed against mine stirred familiar heat in my core. The memory of her gasps and moans from last night, the way she'd arched into my touch...
My hand traced lazy patterns on her bare hip. The jeweler had been right—sometimes, the simplest gifts mean the most. But watching Sara try to maintain her attitude while clearly loving the necklace had been its own kind of gift.
My fingers drifted up her side, savoring the silky smoothness of her skin.
"Mmph. Stop it." Sara swatted blindly at my hand, her eyes still closed. "Some of us are trying to sleep here."
I grinned, continuing my exploration of her curves. "I'm not stopping anything. I'm just appreciating the view. And what a view it is..."
"Tom, If you don't let me sleep, I swear I'll march straight to the university board."
"Oh?" My hand stilled on her hip. "And tell them what exactly?"
She cracked one eye open, fixing me with an attempt at a glare that was more adorable than threatening. "That you kidnapped me and imprisoned me in your fancy apartment. Forced me to sleep in this ridiculously comfortable bed."
"That's a bit dramatic." I traced my finger along her collarbone, watching goosebumps rise in its wake. "Last I checked, prisoners don't get thousand-thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets."
"They also don't get sexually tormented by their captors." She stretched, arching her back in a way that made my mouth dry.
"I seem to recall someone begging for more of this 'torment' last night." My hand slid lower, teasing the sensitive skin of her inner thigh.
She squirmed under my touch, her breath catching. "That's a complete fabrication. I never beg."
"No?" I traced higher, watching her bite her lip. "What about when I had you blindfolded? What were those magic words you kept repeating?"
"Shut up." She rolled away, but I caught her waist and pulled her back against me. "You're insufferable in the morning."
"You still haven't answered my question about staying here this week." I nipped at her ear, enjoying the shiver that ran through her body.
"Fine, I'll stay." She pressed back against me, her curves fitting perfectly against my chest. "But only because this bed is sinfully comfortable. Not because of you."
"Is that so?" My hand skimmed down her stomach. "Nothing to do with the man in the bed?"
"Nope. Pure materialism." She turned to face me, eyes sparkling with mischief. "Though I suppose having you around has certain benefits."
"Like having me at your beck and call until I leave for Australia? Hours of endless pleasure..." I traced my finger along her jaw. "Making you scream my name over and over..."
Her breath hitched. "Someone's confident."
"Just stating facts." I rolled her onto her back, pinning her wrists above her head. "We could start right now. Test the durability of this bed you love so much."
Sara squirmed beneath me, her eyes darkening with desire. "Some of us have actual work to do."
"Mmm. Such a shame." I ground my hips against hers, drawing a sharp gasp. "All these responsibilities getting in the way of more pleasurable activities."
"Well, we can always make time." Her fingers traced down my chest, leaving fire trails on my skin. "Though some of us need to actually show up to work on time."
"No problem." I dipped my head to her neck, tasting the sweet spot that always made her moan. "We've got plenty of chances to explore every inch of this bed. And the counter. And the shower..."
She shivered under my touch. "You're making it very hard to be responsible right now."
I captured her lips in a deep kiss, savoring the soft whimper that escaped her throat. Her hands tangled in my hair, pulling me closer as our tongues danced. The feel of her body against mine, all soft curves and warm skin, threatened to destroy what little self-control I had left.
I broke the kiss, trying to catch my breath. Sara's lips were swollen, and her cheeks flushed pink. The sight of her like this - disheveled, wanting, all because of me - made my blood run hot.
"Wait." She pressed a hand to my chest, her eyes narrowing. "You still owe me something."
I raised an eyebrow. "Pretty sure I gave you plenty last night."
"I think someone promised me a shopping spree." Sara traced her finger down my chest, her nail leaving a light scratch that made my muscles tense. "You said you'd buy me outfits in exchange for canceling our bet."
"Shit." I ran a hand through my hair. "I did promise that, didn't I?"
"Mhmm." She shifted against me, the friction making it hard to focus on her words.
"Let's hit the stores after you finish your shift tomorrow."
Sara traced circles on my chest, her touch sending sparks through my body. "Just two or three work outfits. Nothing crazy."
"A whole collection." I caught her wandering hand, pressing a kiss to her palm. "Whatever catches your eye. Dresses, suits, shoes..."
"That's sweet, but no." She shook her head, hair falling in waves around her face. "I can't let you spend that much on me."
I pulled her on top of me, loving the way she fit against my body. Her skin was warm and soft, and her breasts pressed against my chest. My hands slid down her back to cup her ass, drawing her closer.
"Tom..." She gasped as I captured her lips, cutting off whatever protest she was about to make.
The kiss deepened, her tongue meeting mine in a slow dance that had heat pooling in my core. Her hips rocked against me, drawing a groan from my throat.
"You're trying to distract me." She pulled back just enough to speak, her lips brushing mine with each word.
"Is it working?" I nipped at her bottom lip, enjoying her sharp intake of breath.
"Maybe." Her fingers tangled in my hair, tugging lightly. "But I'm still not letting you buy me a whole wardrobe."
I flipped us over, pinning her beneath me. "We'll see about that."
"You can't seduce me into accepting expensive gifts." But her body arched into mine, betraying her words.
"Challenge accepted." I kissed down her neck, finding that sensitive spot behind her ear that always made her squirm.
Her nails raked down my back. "You're impossible."
"And you're stubborn." I sucked at her pulse point, marking her. "But I like that about you."
"Tom..." Her voice was breathy, caught between a moan and a laugh. "We're going to be late."
"Worth it." I captured her lips again, swallowing her protests in a kiss that left us both breathless.
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