Page 72 of Semi Sweet
I shut my eyes as I lowered myself down slowly, my exhale barely audible as I focused on the feeling. I felt Sean grasp my hips and knew there was nothing to regret.
***
“Just so you know, I was totally going to try something if we hadn’t had that talk on the trail,” Sean explained in the shower later.
I’d never shared a shower with another person before. Someone had once told me it was overrated, but currently, I was pleased. My body was a little languid, but I figured holding onto Sean would keep me upright.
“Oh, really?” I asked him.
I wasn’t sure I believed him. He had been so adamant about waiting and being a gentleman.
“Schedule dependent, I may not see you for a month,” he replied. “I still would have made sure you really wanted it, but how could I leave without trying?”
“Do you think Beth will take one look at you and know we finally, you know?” I made fun of how I had described it to him in the karaoke bar that night.
Sean rolled his eyes. “Oh God, probably.” Then he looked guilty. “But I’m not sure if I’ll spill the tea. Not my MO.”
I realized he was admitting he had heard them that day after the disco masquerade. “You jerk.”
“That’s not what you were saying earlier,” he said coolly. “You know, when I got you to climax...twice.”
Realizing that I had no leg to stand on, I heaved a sigh. “You really have to go, don’t you?”
“I do.” He sounded equally as sad. “But I’ll be back.”
“As my roommate?” I asked.
“As your boyfriend,” Sean corrected. “I hope.”
I beamed at him. “As my boyfriend. Definitely.”
Chapter Thirty-One: More Than You Will Ever Know
TheMizunoshadtheirfinal dinner together Sunday night, before Sean had to go back to Denver. It was the summation of a busy and eventful day. He had me take the Saab around so I could get used to it, making me drive to the apartment and various stores and back so I would know the way without him or a GPS. We’d also found the Rocky Mountain Press’ satellite office since I was headed there in the morning.
The small kitchen was stocked, as were the bathroom cabinets and a small storage closet. Bear had a new bed and I’d bought a new fuzzy blanket so I could be bundled up in front of the electric fireplace. The bags I’d been keeping my things in since I ran from Evan’s townhouse were unpacked in several drawers in the room that had once been Sean’s. Now we would share it.
Dan had the other room set up as a bedroom, but I had plans of transforming it into an office. It would put the one at my old place to shame mostly because I wouldn’t have to hide my passion anymore. I had visions of hanging up things having to do with my fandoms as well as things to inspire me. I had lots of writing to do to make up for all those partial manuscripts that had been destroyed.
“Olivia, please know you are welcome anytime,” Mr. Mizuno said as he helped his wife clear the table.
They’d made enchiladas, which I’d found interesting as there were so many other cultures in their home, but apparently Sean’s mother could eat tacos every day. I guessed I probably could, too.
“I will probably take you up on that,” I agreed. “I’m an introvert, but I can see myself getting lonely if I don’t leave the house beyond work. Not to mention Bear needs to see his grandparents.”
“You’re not one of those people that treats their pet like a human child, are you?” Sean asked, scratching the dog in question behind the ears. “That might be a deal breaker.”
I gave him a look. Having a dangerous ex should have been grounds for that, not personifying an animal. “I’ve never had the opportunity to do so. I’ve never had a pet.”
Sean strode over and pulled me into a hug. “I’m just messing with you.” He turned his attention back to his parents. “If I need you to do anything for the bank or the realtor–”
“Just fax us the form,” Mrs. Mizuno replied.
“And if there are any repairs–”
“Between your landlord and myself, we can sort it out,” Sean’s father explained.
“I offered to help, too, you know,” I chimed in.
