Page 35 of The Curve
Rolling onto his stomach he uses a finger to trace the outline of my lips. “How about you stay at my place tonight? And tomorrow night.”
I stare into his glorious eyes and wish I could answer yes. “I can’t. I have a child, you know.”
He looks at me with understanding. Even though he has no experience with children or their mother’s issues, I feel an empathy.
“I happen to know she’s staying with Paige’s family for the weekend. Brick told me.”
He’s not pressing me, but just stating his case.
“Let me think for a minute.”
“Don’t you want to?”
His face is so adorable when he says it. It’s so sincere.
“More than you know. But I’m not used to being spontaneous. I stay awake at night thinking out every big decision I make.”
“Letmebe the one who keeps you up at night.”
How can I fight that? “Okay, Atticus. Yes, I’ll stay with you.”
Suddenly we hear the distant sounds of the partygoers oohing and awing their reactions. Atticus springs up.
“The fireflies! We need to shut off the lights and the music. I’ll do it.”
As he gets off the bed and bends over to find the nearest uplight, my eyes go to his fine ass. “What’s that?” I say.
“What?”
“Is that a tattoo under your left cheek between your legs?”
He straightens and gives me a big smile. “No tattoo. Would you like a closer look?”
I press my lips together. He starts laughing. “That embarrasses you?”
“Shut up,” I laugh.
Walking up to me, he turns around. “It’s my birthmark. Come look.”
I move to the edge of the bed, so I can run my fingers over the perfect deep purple heart, then I kiss it. He looks over his shoulder. “My heart belongs to you now.”
I look up and he turns toward me. “This one,” he says putting a hand over his heart.
Mine skips a beat with the words. And then he takes me in his arms.
“I know this is quick, but it feels true.”
“You’re scaring me…but I like it,” I say.
“Good. Now let’s watch the fireflies.”
The music’s turned off, along with all the lights. Blackness envelopes us. We prop ourselves on the pillows and get under the sheet and light blanket. Waiting and watching in silence in his arms is a good thing. Not only so the fireflies show, but for me to think things through. In the space of one night I’ve fallen hopelessly and totally for a man who’s obviously wrong for me.
He’s known for being a player.
He’s inexperienced with kids.
But, what’s right about him is more compelling.
