Page 8 of Wishing for the Lumbersnack
Serafina froze mid step and turned towards me. “What?”
“Spend the night with me. Please.”
“Deke, don’t be silly.” She slid her sweater over her head. “This was fun. But we know it’s not more than this.”
“More than what? Because in my eyes, this is everything.” I got to my feet and walked over to her. I took her hands in mine. “Look me in the eye and tell me this was nothing more than sex.”
“Deke, c’mon, why are we doing this?”
“Just do it.”
Serafina met my gaze but quickly looked away.
“Tell me this was nothing more than sex and I’ll leave it alone.”
She met my gaze once more and sighed. “I can’t.”
“Why not?”
“Because, Deke, you’re right. Thisiseverything. You’re everything. And I don’t know what the hell to do with any of these feelings. I don’t want to get hurt.Can’tget hurt. Losing my parents was enough.”
“I’m scared, too. So, let’s figure it out together. Okay?”
Serafina searched my eyes long and hard and finally, a small okay slipped from between her lips.
I dipped my head low and kissed her hard, confirming what I already knew was true.
I’d fallen deeply in love with her.
She was the one.
She was it.
She was everything.
CHAPTER SIX
Serafina
How was this possible?
To meet someone and already know they must be the one for you? For some unexplainable reason, it all clicked into place.
But that didn’t stop my fear from creeping in.
We spent the night in bed, unable to get enough of each other. Exhausted, we fell asleep in each other’s arms and the next morning, when my alarm rang early, Deke got up with me, brewed a pot of coffee and cooked breakfast while I showered, enjoyed the meal together, and came to work to help me out.
Saturdays were his day off and I insisted he didn’t need to come as this was something I’d been doing on my own for years. Besides, I scheduled Becca to help today.
Deke wouldn’t hear of it.
After bonding with Buggie, he helped feed and water the cats, clean litter boxes, and help Becca out, leaving me free to catch up on paperwork and get through adoption meetings without interruptions.
“You were great today. Thank you.” I told Deke as we closed the shelter for the night, making sure the cats were all set until the morning.
He tucked Buggie into the crook of his arm and patted her gently, all of his loving attention given to the little kitten in his arms. “Anytime, sweetheart. How about we grab some dinner, and you can help me get Buggie settled? I also might need a thing or two settled if you catch my drift.” Deke winked and wiggled his eyebrows.
My face flushed hot, and a giddy laugh escaped from my throat. “Oh, do you?”
