Page 14 of Wood Lessons
“If we can manage, it might be a good idea to go somewhere where we can’t accidentally slip and break our necks.”I laugh and agree with his assessment.With the weakness still radiating in my legs, falling in the slick shower doesn’t seem so far-fetched.
“And we can dry off; the soggy prune life ain’t for me.”
He shrugs and hands me a towel.“I don’t know.You still look sexy as fuck to me.”
Apparently, our lovemaking hasn’t robbed me of the ability to blush because heat sparks at the compliment.Dipping my head in sudden shyness, I pat away the drops of water clinging to my skin, focusing on the simple task instead of responding—and reality seeps into the silence.
But it’s not tinged with fear or regret; instead, a sense of optimism reigns supreme.All this time I’ve worried so much about embarrassing myself or saying the wrong thing around people that I’ve avoided even the possibility by shutting myself away.Yet, here I am after making the decision to try something new—to trust Peter—and things haven’t exploded in my face.
Whatever happens next, I’ve proven risks are worth the potential rewards.
An overwhelming need to share the revelation with Peter explodes in a rush of words.“You’re the only man to ever say such a thing to me, and I don’t know if it’s post-orgasmic hormones or yourteachingskills.”He grins at that last part.“But I really like you.You claimed to be mine, but I won’t hold you to promises made in the heat of the moment if this is just a fling for you.”
Buzzing drones in my ear while blood rushes to my head at the uncharacteristic outburst.My hands clench in the terry cloth surrounding me as I wait for his answer.
Please, don’t let me regret this.
CHAPTER EIGHT
PETER
“You done?”I knot thetowel around my waist and enfold her into my arms as she nods.Vulnerability veils her brown eyes, and tenderness softens my own gaze.“Good.To your points: this is not a fling, and I meant what I said.”
Swaying closer, a brilliant smile transforms her face.“Glad to hear we’re on the same page...Though, I feel like I shouldn’t be this content with how long we’ve known each other.”
“The good news is we don’t need to follow anyone else’s timeline.If we’re happy, that’s all that matters.”I drop a brief kiss on the tip of her nose.“And I, for one, am extremely fucking happy.”
More than I thought possible.
“Alright.Yes.Me, too.”She stutters staccato sentences before chuckling.“Sorry...we just had this serious DTR conversation, and my mind’s kind of reeling.”
“DTR?”I wrack my brain for what the acronym stands for as I lead her to the bedroom, and we sit on the edge of the bed.
“Define the relationship.Don’t worry, I didn’t know what it meant before I joined a dating relationship group.”
“You’re going to explain that to me later, but for now, why don’t we discuss our terms.”Going all in, what I really want from her spills out.“Marriage.A family.”
