Page 75 of Pining for Pierce

“You don’t think?”

“No.”

“You’re assuming I’ll wanna stay in my work clothes, are you?” she said, teasing me.

“Not at all. I’m assuming I’ll wanna strip you out of them and hold you naked in my arms.”

“You don’t think I might get cold?”

I shook my head. “I’ll keep you warm.”

“Hmm… or I can borrow your hoodies.”

I kissed her. “You can, but I have much more exciting ways of heating you up.”

“I noticed,” she said, her eyes sparkling.

“Thank you for earlier,” I whispered, gazing into her eyes, suddenly more serious.

“You don’t have to…”

“Yeah, I do. The way you make me feel…” I ran out of words, so I kissed her again, just a little harder.

It was about ten minutes before I pulled back, wondering if she understood how much she meant to me… how much it all meant to me. I couldn’t think how to explain it, but staring into her twinkling eyes, I wasn’t sure I needed to. It seemed she might feel the same.

“I—I’d better pack,” she whispered, and I let her go, watching as she wandered to her dresser and opened the second drawer down, pulling out some pajamas.

“You definitely won’t need those,” I said, following her and taking them from her, putting them back in the drawer and closing it.

She looked up at me, smiling. “Okay, but I’m bringing underwear.”

“If you insist.”

“I’ll need it for work, if nothing else.”

I nodded my head, realizing she had a point, and then I helped her pack, after which we both got dressed.

It’s good seeing her things here, hanging alongside my own. It makes me feel like this is her home now. This is where she belongs.

Our morning hasn’t gone quite to plan.

That’s probably because we both woke up feeling a little more bruised than I’d expected. Harley’s leg was hurting and her shoulder had started to act up as well.

“Do you wanna stay home today?” I suggested, as she struggled to get out of bed. “We need to go and see Brady, anyway.”

“I know, but we can do that tomorrow… maybe at lunchtime or something. In any case, I’m sure I’ll be fine once I get moving.”

I had to agree with her. My back felt better when I was standing, and I stretched a little, trying to ease the muscles.

I’d hoped we’d be able to make love, either in bed, or in the shower, but neither of us was really capable… not without the risk of doing further damage. Even so, it was good to hold her in my arms, to wash her, and feel her naked body close to mine.

I’ve put on sweatpants and a t-shirt, and made us some toast for breakfast, keeping it simple, while Harley gets dressed, and fixes her hair and makeup.

“It’s ready,” I call out.

“Two seconds.”

She takes a little longer than that, but the toast is still warm when she comes out, dressed in a tight gray skirt and white blouse, open at the neck. Her hair is tied up in a loose arrangement behind her head, more complicated than a braid, but with a few strands framing her perfectly made-up face.

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