It's been four days.

Four days since I left Mila in L.A., and I still remember the sad look on her face when I kissed her goodbye for the hundredth time.

I don't know why, but being away from her, knowing she's not right around the corner, has been torture. I already miss her like crazy—her laugh, her scent, those goddamn eyes that capture mine like a Polaroid picture every single time... All of it.

"Bro, stop pouting, we're here to let loose a little." Kilian nudges my shoulder.

"Yeah, man," Abe chimes in. "You're not the only one who has to be here earlier than expected."

Abe and Kill had to come over as well; apparently, their part in the changes is crucial, and the team wanted to be able to talk everything through in person. I was glad at first, but then they started mocking me for my bad mood.

I agreed to have a drink at the hotel bar with them, solely because they pestered me all day and threatened to steal my phone if I didn't try to get my mind off everything for a moment. Obviously, I couldn't let that happen. Texting Mila has been my safe haven in this fucking nightmare of a season start.

"Yeah, yeah...stop whining." I roll my eyes at the two of them.

"We're not the one whining, asshole," Kill exclaims.

Abe agrees. "Yeah, no offense, man, but you look like someone ran over your dog."

"Fuck you." It's all I give them, though I can't help but flip the bird as well, eliciting a laugh from Kill.

He orders another round of beer for the three of us, his eyes always scanning the room for the perfect lay of the night. "There ain't even any training for another week, dude. We should be living it up!" He raises the beer glass the waiter just put down in front of him.

"Hell yeah. Cheers to that!" Abe raises his beer as well, and I only shake my head when we clink our glasses, my mind still occupied with a certain author waiting for me in L.A.

Almost like she knew I was thinking of her, my phone vibrates in my pocket, the faint sound of her personalized ringtone eliciting the brightest grin of the universe on my lips as I read Mila's message.

Hey, Cash. Sorry I haven't answered sooner. I was in a writing spell the last few hours. I actually managed to write two chapters today! Hope you had a great day. What are you doing tonight?

"Dude, wipe that damn grin off your face, for fuck's sake." Kill punches my shoulder, but I just shoot him a stern look in response before I type my own reply.

Hey, Lucky. No worries. I'm glad to hear you've been productive today. Can't deny that I missed your quite amusing texts, though. I'm out with Kill and Abe. They kind of dragged me here.

Her reply comes within seconds. Out, like in a bar? That sounds nice. Enjoy yourself.

Believe me, I can think of better ways to enjoy myself. All of them include your presence. ;) I immediately send the text, and I can only imagine how she blushes at my words, that shy part of her taking over whenever I do or say stuff like that.

Is that right? What would that entail exactly, Mr. Cross?

Fucking gods...

I'm surprised Kill and Abe don't mock me for the way my eyes widen at her bold response. This woman just surprises me continuously, and I goddamn love it. What that would entail, Ms. Lyne, is showing you pretty clearly what all that teasing does to me.

And what exactly does it do to you?

I honestly don't know what to reply to that, so I just stare at my phone like a teenager who isn't brave enough to talk to his crush.

I know I'd like to know what you have planned for me if it weren't for these thousands of miles between us, she adds.

I'm still mind-blown by her attitude, honestly. But I try to keep it together, seeing that Abe and Kill are in some sort of discussion about who gets the hottest woman in the room.

I can tell you what I have planned, despite the thousands of miles between us. I'm sure you'll be glad they exist, once you know.

Her response chimes a few minutes later, and the grin on my face only grows wider when I register her words. Try me, Cash.

I take another sip of my beer while Kill and Abe try to hit on some girls on the dance floor, and then I lay back on my seat, getting ready for this conversation. Hypothetically, if you were right next to me, in this bar... I'd start by running my hand down your thigh, and I'd squeeze it a little too.

In the bar?

Yes, right in this bar. In a secluded corner.

Hypothetically. Her answer almost makes me laugh.

Hypothetically. And then I'd move my hand inward, my fingers between your thighs, asking you to part them, just a bit. How would you react to that, Mila? Hypothetically, of course.

It takes a moment before she responds, Hypothetically, I'd probably give in.

Probably? I tease her.

No, definitely. I would definitely give in.

Good. Do you want to know what I'd do next?

Yes, she replies. Please. Her second text appears on my screen a second later.

Fuck, I love that you beg, Lucky. Well, hypothetically, I'd run my fingers across the inside of your thigh, sneaking beneath those jeans shorts you wore just a few days ago, and I'd get closer and closer to where you want me the most...

Fucking hell. This is pure torture.

I readjust myself in the seat, hard as stone at the mere thought of doing what I just told her, and I know there's no way I'm leaving this table without having my boner visible to every single person in this bar. How would you feel then, Mila? I shoot the text when I don't get a reply after a few minutes, but her response arrives seconds later.

I'd probably want to hold on to your thigh too. And I'd also probably want to clench my thighs together, obviously, because I'd be dripping wet already...

Holy shit. Are you dripping wet right now, Mila?

I am... The text immediately appears on my screen.

Fuck me, Mila.

You're skipping a few steps here, Cash. Patience ;) So, would I be allowed to do all that?

This woman... You'd be allowed to touch me too, yes. I'm afraid I can't allow the thigh-clenching, though.

And why's that? She's teasing me. Fucking teasing me with her mock innocence.

Because I'm not done with them yet, I respond.

Hypothetically, if I were to move my hands up your thigh, right to that spot where that massive bulge is located... How would you continue?

What the hell have I gotten myself into? I wanted to punish her for tempting me with her innocence, but I ended up punishing myself... Hypothetically... I'd love what you're doing, but it would only lead to my hand wandering higher and higher, until my fingertips reach the dripping wetness you just promised me.

And if I started rubbing my palm over your erection, what would you do then?

Fuck... She'll pay for this. I'd start running my finger over your center, and I'm sure you'd want to clench your thighs even more then, but I wouldn't let you. Because I'd just keep on going, I'd maybe even dare to slip inside you, not giving a single fuck about the fact we'd be ruining this seat with your juices.

Goddamn.

She doesn't reply for a couple of minutes, and I'm almost afraid she suddenly changed her mind about this mind-blowing exchange of text messages. But then my phone chimes again; the familiar ringtone immediately makes my heart do somersaults at the thought of reading her next message.

Can you get to your car?

What? I glance around the bar, seeing Kill's tongue deep down some blonde's throat, while Abe is working hard on another girl by the bar.

Answer the question.

We're in the hotel bar, so...yeah?

Even better. Go to your room. Now.

Why?  What's going on?

You have five minutes. Not a second longer. Otherwise I might just change my mind.

Never in my life have I jumped up from a seat so quickly, trying to hide my massive erection by throwing my leather jacket over my arms, which I have crossed in front of my chest before I rush to the elevator. I shoot Kill a quick text while I'm in there, watching the time.

Two minutes left.

As soon as I get to my room, I slam the door shut and shoot her a text, hoping to hell she hasn't changed her mind yet about whatever it is, exactly. I'm there.

By the time I lay down on the bed, my phone chimes again. And I swear to all the fucking gods up there, never in my life have I been this surprised, confused, and turned on at the same time.

Good. Because I want you to make love to me, Hayden. With your words.