Page 59 of Things We Do for Love and Science
She stirred beside him.
“Good morning.” She rubbed her eyes, laughed softly and dropped a kiss on his shoulder. And just like that, she sent him floating into molten joy.
“Thanks so much for taking me to the concert. I needed cheering up.” She rested her head on his chest and drew tender circles on his skin with her fingers.
“Glad it helped.” He stroked her silky hair.
She inhaled deeply before expelling the air in one long gust. “I should be patient and relaxed, but every time I get my period, I’m gutted.”
With a hum, he drew her closer. “You’ll fall pregnant when we least expect it. That’s the way things always are.” His parents had given up all hope of having a child, then his mother had conceived him at forty-five. “We haven’t been trying all that long. It’s one of these things we can’t control.”
“True.” She looked up at him with a smile. “But serenity isn’t my strong suit.”
He chuckled. “I’m not all serenity either. My cousin Jem is about to become a father, and I have to admit, I’m jealous the odd time. We have to stop focusing on the outcome and just enjoy the journey. Sounds cliché, but...”
“Iamenjoying the journey.” She smirked. “So much so that I haven’t been dating anyone since we hatched our baby making plans.” ?
“Me neither,” he murmured.
“What?” Her head shot up, and she studied his face with what looked like concern.
“I haven’t dated anyone either since you and I...” His mouth hitched.
She propped her elbow on the mattress and supported her head with her hand. “But Gabriel, you don’t have to limit yourself as long as you use protection. We talked about this.”
He gazed at the ceiling. “But I don’t want to date. You keep me busy enough as it is.” She had no idea of the effect she had on him. How could such an intelligent person be so oblivious?
Her lips stretched into a mischievous grin, and she placed a palm on his chest. “Do I now?”
“Yes, and let’s keep it that way.”
They luxuriated between the sheets for another half an hour, then their lazy morning was over. She vaulted out of bed and swept toward the bathroom, allowing him a glimpse of her full figure in glorious nakedness. Maybe she’d let him paint a nude of her sometime, now that she knew him better.
After a while, a door opened and closed. He traipsed to the bathroom and hopped into the shower. Dry and dressed, he entered the kitchen. The air was redolent with the aroma of coffee, and the cozy domestic atmosphere filled his chest with warmth. They had breakfast in companionable silence, but the clock was ticking and soon she’d turf him out.
“How would you feel about going to a party with me?” Delia pushed her chair away from the kitchen table. “My friend is going back to Germany, and she’s having her leaving do next Friday. “I haven’t fully reconciled myself to the fact that she’ll be gone within the week.”
“You don’t mind your work crowd seeing us together?” He took one last gulp of his coffee and placed the empty cup in the sink.
“That ship sailed ages ago. Did I tell you the day you first met me for lunch I found a sign saying, ‘Her Ladyship’ stuck to my office door?”
He chuckled. “No, you didn’t tell me. It’s funny though.”
“I’m pretty sure Professor Winter put it there. He’s the man for stupid jokes,” she huffed. “You should’ve heard him harp on about how I would be the perfect new Countess of Renwood because of my red hair.”
“Another Red Countess,” Gabriel said under his breath.
“What did you say?” she asked.
“Oh, just, my great-grandmother was known as the Red Countess because, well, because of her hair.”
“Not because of her socialist leanings, I take it.” She laughed. “Now, are you coming with me, or aren’t you?”
He lifted his hand and cradled her cheek. “I’ll come with you. What time will I swing by to collect you?”
She leaned into his touch. “Nine thirty, would that suit?”
He kissed her. “It would.”
