Read The Architect for Free Online Page B

arm. “What are you doing?”
    â€œTrying to find my underwear,” I tell him, while hiding my modesty with my hands. Not that there’s really much point now, but suddenly things aren’t so intimate, and I feel vulnerable.
    â€œThey’re over there.” He grins and points towards the window.
    Retrieving my lace thong, I stumble into it while making my way back to the bed to grab my skirt from the floor. Sitting back on the luxuriously cushioned mattress, I bend to pull my skirt on, and his hand brushes my arm.
    â€œAre you leaving?” He sounds displeased.
    â€œI wasn’t sure if you wanted me to stay.”
    â€œOf course I want you to stay.” He smiles and flops back onto the bed. “This isn’t a ‘wham, bam, thank you ma’am’ kind of deal. Now come here.” He pulls the duvet back for me, and I discard my skirt and accept his invitation.
    Snuggling up in his arms, I rest my head on his chest and ponder in the silence. What is this? If it’s not a ‘wham bam’ thing, then could this be the making of a relationship? I know men are all very nice just after they’ve got their end away, but he feels so genuine. I wouldn’t mind having any type of relationship with him; he’s smart, funny, sexy, attractive, and he knows just how to hit the spot. Maybe I should ask to see him again, or should I wait until the morning? I could come across as too needy if I ask now, and I don’t want to scare him off.
    â€œRuth?” he whispers.
    I leave the conversation with myself for later. “Yes?”
    â€œYou’re stunning, you know.”
    I smile and thank him, hoping this isn’t going the way I think it is, and that he’s going to tell me he can’t see me again.
    â€œPleasure’s all mine.” He takes a deep breath. “Will you see me again? I know you’re probably busy, but just while I’m here, will you let me take you out and have some fun?”
    My heart aches at the relief of not being rejected. “Sure, I’d like that a lot.”
    â€œReally?”
    â€œOf course.” I look up at him. “Who wouldn’t?”
    Remaining still, he smiles before reaching out to switch the lights off and shuffling to get comfortable. “Well, I’m honoured,” he says, before kissing my head and bidding me a good night.
    Unable to fall asleep as fast as him, I lie and stare at the patterns on the walls made by the bright lights of the city outside, and wonder where this will go, and if I will fall for him. Or if I already have.
    My eyes snap open and I’m blinded by the sunlight pouring into the room. Giving myself and my poor eyes a moment to adjust, my brain recollects the images around me and I’m back to reality from my sleep.
    I hear falling water and bottle tops popping. He must be in the shower. Sitting up, I dangle my legs off the bed and run my fingers through my hair before stretching. Retrieving my skirt I hurriedly pull it on as I hear the water stop and his feet step onto the tiled floor. As I zip the skirt up, hoping that I look at least a bit respectable, he enters the room looking fresh-faced and utterly shaggable in his white robe, rubbing his hair dry.
    â€œGood morning,”
    â€œMorning,” I reply, bringing my hair forward over my shoulders to cover my face as much as possible, in case I look a complete wreck.
    He kisses me softly on the cheek. “How do you do it?”
    â€œDo what?” I ask, as he walks over to the dark wooden desk and flips his laptop open.
    â€œLook so beautiful in the morning.”
    â€œOh, come on.” I laugh as I head for the door he just came through. “Do you mind?” I point into the bathroom.
    â€œOf course not, help yourself.”
    I take a quick shower and avoid my face so I can make the best of what makeup I’ve got left on, before returning to the bedroom. When I enter the room, Heath is