Page 96 of Only Fate

Morning number two of waking up beside Essie is heaven.

I could grow used to this, yet I’ll never take for granted.

God, please let it be our future.

Before leaving for Callie’s party, I packed an overnight bag,just in case. Luckily, Essie invited me to stay over. After what happened in my car, if she hadn’t, I’d have been damn heartbroken.

I finally told her I loved her.

I didn’t care if the feeling was mutual.

The three words needed to leave my mouth.

Essie needs to know how damn obsessed I am with her.

Scrubbing a hand over my face, I grin.

But then that grin drops when a pang of guilt hits me.

I roll over to look at her sleeping on her back.

I need to tell her about my visiting Earl and my mother’s connection with the PEP. She’ll be upset with me, but the longer I keep it from her, the worse it’ll be.

But, fuck, I’m terrified of losing her.

I made a mistake by not telling her in the beginning. The moment she showed me her scars, I should’ve fessed up and toldher I already knew what had happened. I sat there and let her tell me about Earl, knowing he’d already told me his side of the story.

Tonight, I’ll do what’s right and tell her.

“I love waking up with you here,” she whispers.

Her words snap me back into reality, and she turns on her side to peer at me.

Grabbing her hand, I weave my fingers through hers. “This, right here, is something I’ve dreamed about.” I raise our laced hands and kiss the top of hers.

She smiles up at me and runs her free hand along my cheek. “I wish we’d done this in college. For years, this could’ve been our morning routine.”

“From now on, thiswillbe our morning routine.”

“Damn straight.” She strokes my cheek.

“What are your plans for today?”

“First, I need to shower. Care to join me?”

“Baby, you never have to ask me that twice.”

“Grab a condom.”

I slide out of bed and help her out of it. She collects my hand in hers and leads me to the bathroom. It’s one you’d find in a luxury suite in a five-star hotel. It has a claw-foot tub, a shower with four showerheads, and a vanity that runs along the entire wall.

Another perk: the damn floor is heated.

I turn on the water while she tosses two towels in the towel warmer. As the water runs, she wiggles out of her boy shorts, and I drop my boxers. I lick my lower lip as I admire her naked body.

Everything is so perfect about her.

Hands that perfectly fit into mine.

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