Her other shoe. Where was her other shoe? Not under the bed. Not behind the drapes.
“Where are you going?”
Whipping around in response to JD’s voice, the sight of him in only a towel, skin glistening, hair damp, she forgot how to breathe for a second.
Swallowing, she pasted on a smile. “You shouldn’t be allowed to talk to women when you look like that.”
“Get back in bed and I’ll let you take advantage.”
“The sun has risen, life goes on.”
“You going to give me your number?”
Her lips curled into something more genuine until a laugh laced her words. “Come on, JD, you’re not going to call.”
“I’ll call.”
“You spend your life on the road.”
“I have offices in New York and Boston.”
“You’re never there.” As per their conversations the previous night. “And I live in the Pacific Northwest. Not exactly a trip down the block.”
“I want to visit you.”
She sighed. “Why? There’s no future here. We both knew that. Do you see me waiting by the phone, desperate for you to call?”
“It wouldn’t be like that—”
“And the next time you’re in a bar in some hotel somewhere in the world, and a beauty catches your eye?”
“You say that like women are sport. I told you I don’t do this. I haven’t done this—”
“Because you just got out of a relationship. I’m your rebound,” she said, creeping closer. “I’m the woman who gets the last one out of your system so you can move on. It’s time to move on, JD.”
His brows descended. “And you’re not interested in being a part of that future?”
“What do I know about the future or where I want to be? Didn’t you say I was a kid? I’ve never got a relationship to work when I see the guy every day. And the long distance thing? Those girls in college, the ones who’d crow about the boyfriend they had back home, they all ended up with broken hearts. Not one of those relationships made it.”
“You think I’m some hick nobody who’ll let you down?”
“I think…” she said, going over to lay her hands on his chest, “we had an incredible night. One I won’t forget in a hurry. But you’re a go-getter and I’m just getting started. Don’t you think it’s better to have a great memory than to hang on until it falls apart?” He just looked down his nose, considering her. She laughed. “You have no obligation here. Most women probably want promises and roses. I am not one of those women.”
“Pragmatic.”
“Practical. Yes. I don’t create issues for myself. This is not our epic love and we’re never going to get married. So what would be the point?”
Holding onto something that didn’t exist, or trying to fantasize that it did, would end badly for both of them. The night itself was perfect. One of those memories she’d fall back on after life slowed down later. When she looked back to evaluate her journey, experience would make her whatever she became.
And, in truth, JD knew it. She wasn’t giving him new information. A lot of guys, the ones who often thought of themselves as decent, didn’t want to use a woman for sex and dump her. In many situations, that would work.
“Don’t give up those dreams,” he said, maybe appreciating being with a realist over an idealist. “Sometimes life surprises you.”
“I hope it does.”
Pinching her chin between a curled forefinger and his thumb, he raised her mouth to meet his. His kiss was the perfect period at the end of their encounter. Jamison Dawes was a remarkable man. Being a part of his journey, passing through his life, was an honor. One day, maybe, he’d look back and think the same about her.