Free Easy Kisses (The Boudreaux Series Book 4) by Kristen Proby

is. Just let me go.”
    “I’m not ready for you to go.”
    “What does it matter if I leave tonight or tomorrow when the others are?”
    He lifts a brow and shifts his gaze to the bed. “I think you know the answer to that, Charly. But that’s not what I mean.”
    “Awfully presumptuous,” I mutter to myself and turn to face him again. “Okay, what do you mean?”
    “Stay the weekend. I’m here until Monday evening. Stay until then so we can enjoy each other without the retreat happening at the same time. I want to be with you without any distractions or restrictions.”
    “I have to be in my shop Monday morning,” I reply and bite my lip, trying to think of a way to make it work. I don’t want to go either, but staying will only mean that I’ll become more attached to him, and I don’t want that either.
    “Talk to me, Charlotte.”
    “Okay, I’m going to be brutally honest.” I square my shoulders and prop my hands on my hips, and Simon’s blue eyes immediately fall to my girls. I’d almost forgotten that I was standing here mostly naked. “I’m up here, Simon.”
    “Sorry,” he replies with a self-deprecating smile. “Go on.”
    “I’m not looking for something long term with you, Simon.”
    “I believe I suggested a weekend, love.” He smiles when I glare at him. “Sorry.”
    “I’m not looking for something long term. But I’m not thrilled with the one-weekend stand either. You’ve taught me a lot this week, and even though it pissed me off, one of those things is that I’ve settled for the whole “friends with benefits” thing my whole life, and honestly, I’ve lied to myself.”
    “How so?” Now his eyes are glued to mine, listening intently.
    “Because I always said that it was on my terms, so it was okay. I was content with that until I met the one that I’d be with forever. And I believed that.”
    “But you don’t believe it now?”
    “I don’t know,” I reply, frustrated now. “The sex with you is great, Simon. I won’t pretend otherwise. But what you’re suggesting is basically that we’ll fuck all weekend and then go our separate ways.”
    “That’s not what I suggested,” he says and shakes his head. “You didn’t listen well on the day about communication.”
    “How am I wrong?”
    “I asked you to stay. You assume that means that all I want is a weekend of sex.”
    “I just told you that I don’t want something long term.”
    “Bloody Jesus,” he mutters and paces my room, rubbing his mouth with his fingers. “Sex doesn’t have to be a part of the equation.”
    “Right.” I snort and cross my arms. “Because we’re so not attracted to each other. You’ve undressed me with your eyes at least a dozen times since you’ve been in my room.”
    “It’s not a difficult task, darling; you’re practically naked already.”
    “Granted.” I nod and sit on the edge of the bed. “So you just want to hang out all weekend?”
    “Why not?” he replies and shoves his hands in his pockets. “I’ve enjoyed talking with you and spending time with you. I want more of that.”
    “And no sex,” I reply dryly.
    “If you prefer it that way,” he says with a shrug. “I want nothing more than to fuck you for days, but if that makes you uncomfortable, we can take it off the table. I’m not an asshole.”
    “No,” I agree and watch him for a moment. “You’re not.”
    “I’ll pay to have your ticket changed,” he offers.
    I bite my lip and consider him. I can call and let the pilot know that I won’t need him for a couple more days, but I don’t feel comfortable yet telling Simon that I have access to a private jet, so I just shake my head and reply, “That’s not necessary.”
    “Is that a yes?”
    “I have to leave Sunday afternoon so I can be at work on Monday. I’ve left my shop for too long as it is.”
    “Did you buy the red heels you were wearing tonight at your shop?”
    “Of course.”
    He grins, a wide Cheshire cat smile.