He sighed, not answering immediately, and my mind started to dream up things which could have possibly happened to make him call me and be all stuttery when he was usually so cool and collected. My mind jumped to one conclusion – he’d cheated and was now calling to ease whatever guilt he felt about it.

“Everything’s all right,” he answered.

My heart sank as I closed my eyes. The emotional pain was building like a storm in my chest, and soon it would burst from me in the form of hysterical sobs. I knew it would come at some point. I just prayed I could keep my sadness at bay until I got him off the phone.

“Actually, no, everything’s not all right,” he suddenly said. “I miss you. I’m lonely. The hotel room was too quiet all weekend. I’m just mooching around now waiting for the time when I can check out and go to the airport to come home. There’s no little person running around, no Rory to backchat me, and no you to talk to or laugh with. I don’t like going away. There, I said it. I miss you all, I miss home, and I just called to hear your voice. Make fun of me if you want.”

My eyes flew open. “What?” I croaked. “What brought that on?”

He sighed deeply. “I’m just laying here on my bed and staring at the ceiling, thinking about how I’d much rather be home with you. I’m officially homesick.”

I fought the smile trying to break free. He missed me. He would rather be here with me than in Italy surrounded by gorgeous models and dancers. My sadness was quashed immediately. “Well, would it help you to know that Sasha is asking for you all the time?” I asked. “Or that Rory said it was weird you not being at the dinner table to talk sports with?”

He laughed. “Runt’s missing me, huh? I knew I’d grow on him,” he joked. “Anyone else missing me?”

I smiled, laying back, letting the water lap around my shoulders. “I don’t think so. Oh, Gloria said she missed your face,” I joked.

“She did? Anyone else? No one you can think of who is remotely missing me and wishing I was there?” he prompted.

“Is there anyone else?” I teased.

“What about you?”

I smiled. “Me? I’m too busy in the bath to miss you, baby.”

My answer was met by silence for a few seconds. “Bath? Like, right now?” he finally replied.

I grinned and purposefully let the water splash so he’d hear it. “Yep.” I sank further into the hot water and closed my eyes.

“Naked?” he questioned.

“Obviously!” I chuckled.

He groaned loudly. “Now I’m even more homesick,” he whined. “I have all sorts of things running through my mind right now.”

I got his drift immediately. I gulped as the same thoughts started running through my head. I could just imagine him, lying on his back in bed, shirtless with those mouth-watering V lines. I could picture his tattoos and the warmth of his body and the glint to his eye, and those dimples in his cheeks…

“Emma, I should probably go before I start asking you to touch yourself. I’m getting dangerously close to that point right now, and if you do it then I’m gonna be even more desperate to come home so I can watch.”

I giggled at his dirty words, clenching my thighs together tightly because my sex was starting to ache uncomfortably. “You’re filthy,” I scolded playfully.

He blew out a big breath. “Yeah, I know. Sorry. I’m gonna go. I have a monster hard-on now, and I need to get rid of it,” he replied. “Don’t suppose you want to send me a naked bath picture to help me along?”

I grinned, chewing on my lip as I thought about it. “Go get off the phone, you pervert,” I joked.

“Okay, okay, I’m going,” he grumbled. “I’ll be leaving here in a couple of hours, and should be home just after two, so I guess I’ll see you in the morning.”

My heart leapt. My Carson-less weekend was almost over. He would be here by the time I woke up. I couldn’t wait. “All right. Bye, baby. Safe trip home and I’ll see you soon.” I smiled, knowing I needed to give him a little something before I ended the call. “And, by the way, Carson, yes, I’m missing you, too. And yes, I’m going to touch myself tonight. And yes, I will be thinking of you when I do it.”

He groaned. “Fuck, Emma, now I don’t want to hang up!”

I giggled wickedly. “Goodbye, Carson.” I disconnected the call without waiting for a reply and felt a blush creep up on my cheeks at my admission. I didn’t feel bad about it, though. Knowing he was excited by my body made a little proud feeling bubble up inside me. Carson had always been attracted to my body; it was just a shame the rest of me didn’t do anything for him.

As my hand touched my stomach, something sparked inside me. My eyes fluttered closed as I let my mind wander to Carson and what he would be doing right now. Memories of the kiss washed over me, how hot it had been and how my body had ached with need. As my mind wandered to his body, my hand wandered mine. Pretty soon, I was lost within the bliss of Carson, just minus the actual Carson.

After spending an hour in the bath, my fantasy and little party for one had only served to make me miss him more. I hadn’t had that intimacy with him for weeks now, and my body was highly unsatisfied and needy even though I’d tried to alleviate that tension myself. It was only just after eight as I padded into my bedroom and looked through my drawer, trying to find some clean pyjamas to change into. Still only having limited clothes from what I packed the other day, though, I didn’t see any. I frowned, wondering when Carson was going to arrange for the rest of my stuff to be shipped here, or if he was waiting for me to just buy new stuff like he’d instructed when he handed me his credit card on Thursday morning.