“Actually, it’s been a bit slow,” she admits, a small laugh escaping her lips. “I’ve been ... well, a bit distracted, I suppose you could say.”
“Distracted, huh?” I echo, a playful note in my voice. I can’t help but feel a little thrill at the thought that I might be the cause of her distraction.
“Yeah,” she says, her gaze flickering down to where our hands are nearly touching on the couch. “Thoughts of a certain someone have been occupying more than a bit of my mind as of late.”
“Plotting Jillian’s demise, huh?” I tease.
Again, she laughs and it makes my heart soar. I swear, that sound is swiftly becoming my absolute favorite.
Her eyebrows rise and she shakes her head. “I haven’t given that demon a second thought, to be honest. Not since …you.”
I can’t help the grin that spreads across my face. “Well, I hope I’m not causingtoo muchtrouble in that creative mind of yours.”
Carlie’s smile widens. “Let’s just say you’re inspiring a whole new level of creativity.”
I raise an eyebrow and reach out, bridging the gap and taking her hand in mine. The warmth of it spreads to whole new areas of my body. “Oh really? Do tell.”
Carlie’s laughter fills the room, easing the tension that’s been building between us.
“Well, I might just have to keep some of those details to myself,” she teases, giving my hand a gentle squeeze. “But let’s just say that my latest book might have a certain ...intensityto it.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment,” I reply, intrigued. I let my thumb brush softly against the back of her hand, a small gesture that draws us even closer. “So, about writingthosescenes ... is it difficult? Do you ... um, pull from personal experience?”
Carlie raises an eyebrow, a playful challenge glinting in her eye. “It’s a mix, really. Writing sex scenes can be challenging. You have to balance the physical with the emotional to make it feel real. And as for personal experiences ...” she trails off, biting gently at her bottom lip.
I lean in, captivated. “Yes?”
She laughs, the sound light and musical. “Let’s just say a writer’s imagination is a powerful tool. But sure, experiences, fantasies, a bit of creative license—it all goes into the mix.”
My body reacts to her words, and I’m suddenly one hundred percent sure I need to find her books. I shift slightly, trying to ease the pressure building up behind my zipper.
“Sounds like an interesting process.” I can’t help but chuckle.
“It is,” she confirms. “And it’s about more than just the act. It’s about the connection between the characters, their emotions—their specific vulnerabilities. That’s what makes a scene come alive.”
I nod, understanding dawning. “That makes sense. It’s not just about the physical act, but about the intimacy—the closeness.”
“Exactly,” she agrees, her gaze meeting mine. “It’s about creating something that resonates with the readers—something that feels authentic and true.”
Forget readers, her words resonate with me, and I find myself thinking about the connection we’re building.
“That’s really insightful. It sounds like you put a lot of yourself into your work,” I offer, continuing to caress the back of her hand with my thumb.
Carlie smiles, a softness touching the edges her lips. “I guess you could say that. Each book is a little piece of me.”
Curiosity nudges at me, and I decide to venture a little deeper. “So, I’ve been wondering ... Are your books under your own name? Or do you have a pen name? I’d love to read some of your work.”
There’s a moment’s hesitation, and I can almost see the wheels turning in her head.
“I’m not sure if I’m ready to share that just yet,” she says with a playful yet cautious smile. “It’s kind of like baring a part of my soul, you know?”
I nod, understanding her need for privacy. “I get it. No pressure. Whenever you’re ready—if ever.”
Carlie’s appreciation for my understanding is evident in her eyes, a warmth there that wasn’t present before. “Thanks, Adam. That means a lot.” She leans back, her gaze thoughtful. “So, tell me about this idea of opening your own gym. Where did that come from?”
I lean back, feeling the comfort of the couch as I gather my thoughts. “Well, it’s always been a dream of mine. But lately, Dylan and my brother have been really pushing me to make it a reality.”
“Sounds like they really believe in you,” she observes.