Page 157 of The Revenge Game
“I’m not really relishing this human origami experiment we’ve got going on,” I mumble into Justin’s shoulder.
Justin’s laugh vibrates against my chest as he pulls me even closer. Although closer is just a theoretical concept at this point.
“I can’t believe I almost lost this,” I say quietly.
Justin’s hand stills from tracing patterns on my skin. He draws back so he can look at me properly, those blue-green eyes seeing everything.
“I thought I didn’t know who you were. But then I realized that nothing changes the fact that I do know the most important things about you,” Justin says.
“Like my strong opinions about brown M&Ms and my deeply suspicious relationship with British cuisine?” I say.
He smiles. “Among other things.”
He goes back to stroking my skin while I close my eyes and try not to channel Tabitha and Cassie and start to purr. It’s difficult.
“So, what now?” Justin asks suddenly.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, do you want to come back to London? What do you want to do?”
My eyes flutter open.
“I went to Europe after selling my company to try to find myself, try to work out what I want to do with the rest of my life,” I say.
Justin studies me. “And did you find the answer?”
“Well, I’ve definitely worked out one thing I want to keep doing,” I say as I trail my hand down his stomach.
Justin grins. “I think you could persuade me to get on board with that plan.”
He leans forward to kiss me. But it’s a sweet, gentle kiss, not one designed to escalate things.
“If this is your way of distracting me from the fact that I’ve lost all feeling in my left arm from our sleeping arrangements, it’s definitely working,” I say when we finally break apart.
“Don’t worry, I’ll massage feeling back into it.”
We fall into a comfortable silence, and maybe it’s the early morning light or the way Justin’s looking at me, but suddenly, I need to tell him about the idea taking shape in my mind.
“I want to design apps to help people,” I blurt out. “Like with prosopagnosia, there are other conditions where I think we could make daily life a little easier. But I don’t want to get too absorbed in my work again. I want to make sure I’ve got a life outside my job.”
A smile spreads across Justin’s face. His eyes crinkle at the corners. “I hope your work-life balance includes dealing withtwo very demanding cats and a boyfriend who will insist on cooking for you.”
“I think I could manage that,” I say.
Justin shifts closer, eliminating what little space remains between us in the tiny bed. “You know what else helps maintain a healthy work-life balance?” he asks, his lips brushing against my neck. “Regular breaks for…physical activity.”
“What do you have in mind?”
“Well, since we’re already this close, we might as well try to get closer,” he murmurs in my ear before trailing kisses along my jaw, making my whole body shiver like I’m caught in a feedback loop of sensation.
“I like your thinking,” I gasp.
After Justin and I have thoroughly explored how close we can actually get, I lie resting with my head on his chest, his hands tangled in my hair.
We discuss my app idea and then move on to talking about other stuff.
And it’s perfect. Lying here, talking to Justin about anything and everything.
