Page 24 of Save Me

Gasping for air, filling my lungs with the sweet scent of sex and sweat, I flop back onto the pillows and drag Jamie down with me. I curl into him and he pulls me close, both of us breathing like we’ve just run a marathon, mouthing half-formed kisses against each other’s lips. I’m wonderfully boneless and more sated than I ever remember being. I have a ridiculous grin plastered on my face, and I don’t care. I am lighter than I’ve been in years. I’m happy, and content, and safe in Jamie’s arms. In an orgasmic stupor we lie there, lightly touching, both still wanting the physical connection as our bodies calm and our minds quiet. “We’ve made quite a mess.” I don’t have the energy to move. I’m too content exactly where I am.

Jamie ghosts his fingertips along my lower back. “Ash?”

I really do love that he calls me Ash. It’s still bittersweet, but it’s also comforting, and intimate. “Mmm?”

“You alright?”

“Mmm.” I untuck from Jamie’s neck and smile sleepily at him. “I’m perfect. You?”

Jamie grins back at me as he trails his hand up my body and gently cups my face. “Never better.” He places a lingering kiss against my lips, which I eagerly return. “But we should probably clean up.”

I whine and snuggle closer. “Nooooooooooooooo. What is it with you and wanting to clean up all the time?”

Jamie chuckles and pokes my side. “Come on. Just a quick shower to rinse off so we don’t stick together or make wet spots on the bed.” Okay, he has a point there. “We’ll brush our teeth and be back here in minutes.” I pout as he groans and rolls off the bed, grabs up the lamp and carries it into the bathroom.

I linger, making a few more sounds of protest, but Jamie’s not paying any attention, which means it’s not much fun. I follow him into the bathroom, rinsing off my hand in the sink while he starts the shower. I’m absently digging through my toiletry bag to retrieve my toothbrush, still loose-limbed and uncoordinated from the orgasmic high, staring at nothing while I put toothpaste on the bristles by feel alone, and brush my teeth. It takes me a moment before I process what I’m seeing. With a ridiculous grin and still-shaky fingers, I lift a small bottle of lubricant from the bottom of my travel kit. As I turn to show Jamie, a strip of condoms that must have been stuck to the bottle flies across the bathroom, shocking us both.

We stare at them for a moment before Jamie chuckles and bends to retrieve the packets. “Planning ahead, were you?”

“No!” I practically shout it. Oh my god, now he’ll think I’m some kind of liar. “I promise, I completely forgot these were in there! I haven’t used this travel kit in ages. Long before I went into WITSEC.”

He grins. “Oh, for a minute I thought my planning skills were rubbing off on you.”

I roll my eyes at him, but continue to explain. “I really didn’t remember they were in there.”

“It’s okay, Ash.” Jamie pulls me close. “I’m just teasing.” He kisses me softly. “I believe you.”

I sigh with relief and slump against him, now even more exhausted than I already was. “They’re probably expired.”

Jamie looks at the date on the packets and grins. “Nope.” His cheeks are beautifully pink, but his eyes sparkle with mischief. “How fortuitous.”

I laugh and snatch the condoms out of his hand. “I’m moving these to a more convenient location.” I shove myself out of his arms and stumble into the bedroom. I should be embarrassed at my lack of coordination, but my orgasmic high isn’t allowing it. Jamie swats me on the ass just before I’m out of reach and I yelp in protest. I glare at him as I tuck my treasures into the bedside table and head back into the bathroom. He steps into the shower and holds out his hand to help me over the edge of the tub. I still can’t believe how huge it is. “Does anyone ever take a bath in this? It’s a bit…”

“Over the top? Yeah.” He grins and shrugs. “Once in a blue moon someone will take a bath, but it uses a lot of water and takes forever to fill.” I nod acknowledgement and accept the washcloth that he hands me. I’m missing an opportunity for more naked fun with him, but I’m just too drained to take advantage of the situation. I stifle a yawn and lean against him. “Okay sleepy. Here you go.” Jamie hands me the body wash and we make quick work of showering and toweling off. While he brushes his teeth, I sit on the edge of the bed, braid my damp hair, then slip between the sheets.

By the time Jamie finishes in the bathroom, I’m lying on my side, head propped in my hand, barely awake, with just enough room for Jamie to fit next to me. “I see you left me a bit of room. Thanks.” He laughs and climbs in, pulling me close.

“I’m going to end up right here, so I cut out the extra steps.” I drape myself across him.

“Comfy?” Jamie laughs, wraps his arms around me, and kisses my forehead.

I nod and kiss his neck, which, conveniently, is right next to my lips so I don’t have to move too much. “Night, Jamie.”

“Night, Ash. Sleep well.”

I make a mumbly sound, and with a final deep breath, I drift to sleep.

8

Jamie

For the second morning in a row, I wake with Ash in my arms, and my heart aches with how right this is, how rightwefit together. I want this for more than the limited time we have, but I don’t know how to make that happen. I tighten my arm around him and lightly trace the lines of his tattoos. He stretches lazily against my side, like a satiated cat, then sprawls across me with a satisfied purr. “You’ve spoiled me. Now I expect to wake up like this every morning.” Then he stiffens against me, like he’s realized what he’s said.

I lean in and kiss his hair. We can pretend for a little while longer. It won’t hurt anything, right? “I’ll see what I can do.” He relaxes against me. “Though…” I tease my fingers down his back and along the cleft of his ass. “Maybe you’d rather wake up another way.”

I feel him grin against my chest as he hooks a leg over mine, giving me more room to play. It’s such an Ashley move that I can’t help my chuckle. What a hedonist. It only seems to encourage him because he wiggles his hips, grinding his morning wood against my thigh. “Mmm. I’m intrigued. What would this other way entail?” I place a finger under his chin and tilt his head up for a kiss. Ash’s eyes go wide, and he pushes backward, scrambling off the bed. “Unfortunately, nature calls. Hold that thought?”

After a stunned second of wondering what is happening, I reach for him. “Ash, wait.” He scurries into the bathroom before I can say more. I roll my eyes then turn onto my side to watch him in amusement. “You know, I don’t care about your morning breath.” He makes a squawk of protest, like he’s embarrassed I’ve even mentioned it. He uses the toilet, washes his hands and dives for his toothbrush. “I have morning breath, too.” Damn, he’s even cute when he brushes his teeth. How is that even possible? “Ash, c’mon.” He’s halfway finished brushing, undoing his messy braid with his other hand, and pulling his fingers through the strands in an attempt to appear more attractive. Like that would even be possible. I finally give in and sit up. It makes me a little sad that he always thinks he needs to be perfect, even with me. He doesn’t get that I think he’s gorgeous no matter what. I’ve seen him with bedhead, sleep creases in his face, and wrecked after his two-days-of-no-sleep temper tantrum when he had dark circles, red-rimmed eyes and blotchy cheeks. Even then, he took my breath away.

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