Page 127 of Aftersome
I heard him sigh in relief behind the door.
“You okay?”
I’m okay now that you’re here.
“Yes, I’m fine.”
There was a pause.
“Can… Can I come in?” His question came off as unsure and hesitant as if I would say no. I figured if he wanted to be in the bathroom, he would just walk in without asking, but I couldn’t have been more wrong.
Mal could be a gentleman.
Sweet.
And it completely melted my heart.
“Yeah, of course,” I responded, and before I could even finish what I was saying, he stormed inside.
Stopping a few feet in front of me, his concerned eyes looked at me over while my eyes widened from the current state of his semi-nude body.
Does he really go out running like that?
Shirtless and covered in a sheen of sweat, I could barely contain my sudden yearning to pounce on him. I didn’t care that he’d just gotten back from running at least five miles and was probably covered head to toe in sweat. He looked too good to be true.
In black athletic shorts, matching running shoes and slicked-back hair that had his finger lines through it, my legs almost gave out just from looking at him.
“What’s wrong?” he asked while setting his phone, headphones, and whatever else he had in his pockets onto the sink countertop before coming straight for me. “And don’t lie to me because I can see it in your eyes that something is bothering you.” He cupped my cheek and dropped a gentle kiss on my forehead.
My eyes clamped shut from the plethora of sensations that small peck on my head gave me. I felt safe, cherished, and so much more than words could describe. All I knew was my doubts, worries, fear, it all vanished the second he appeared.
“Nothing is bothering me, Mal,” I reassured while snuggling into his palm. “I’m just happy that you’re back.”
I thought he would question my response, or at least ask me again what was wrong, but instead he used the pad of his thumb to stroke my cheek.
“How are you feeling this morning? Are you sore at all?”
I nodded.
“A little, but it’s nothing I can’t handle.”
His eyes glazed over and I immediately knew what that look was.
Desire.
“I’ll get you some ibuprofen after we shower and hopefully that’ll help with the pain.”
My brow lifted.
“After we shower?” I chuckled.
Mal grinned.
God, he was beautiful.
“You don’t think I plan on showering alone now, do you? Fuck no. I’ve been thinkin’ about getting you naked and wet since I started my run this morning.” He pulled his hand away from my cheek and started unlacing the ties on his shoes. “Almost said fuck the run and waited till you woke up to drag you in the shower.”
My center throbbed.
