Page 50 of My Turkish Fling
Emir’s eyes narrowed and he shifted closer, making me his little spoon. “Only chance? The weather changes five times a day in this country.”
I chuckled. I loved that he’d noticed New Zealand’s changeable ways. “I hope it’s not terrible all week. That’d be awful for Cem and Aria.”
“I’ve fixed the awning on the deck so unless there’s a hurricane—”
“Cyclone.”
“What’s the difference?”
“We only have cyclones on this side of the hemisphere. We can have typhoons…” I huffed at myself. Why was I educating him onall things New Zealand? “It doesn’t matter. Thank you for fixing the awning.”
My phone pinged again. It was Gus suggesting a time.
“Do I even need drone shots?” I sighed onto the screen. “I don’t want to get up at seven.”
“Why seven? Afternoon light will work just as well.”
I turned to him. “Really? I love you!”
The words collided with reality, instantly taking on a new meaning, and I froze. His hand on my waist froze. Nobody breathed for seconds.
“I mean…” I finally wiggled around to look at him. My unsure smile wavered. I couldn’t let myself go there.
“I know.” He buried his face in my hair.
We lay in silence, and he held me so tight there wasn’t room for words.
When my phone pinged again, he spoke in a darker voice. “I’m coming with you.”
I didn’t argue. That would have been pointless. Instead, I melted against his wide chest, enjoying the weight of his arm around me. The fear had vanished. He’d chased it away with his presence, his attentiveness, his… I stopped myself right on the cusp of another L-word, shaking from soft laughter. A couple of mind-blowing orgasms, and I was losing my mind.
Yet, I didn’t move. I made no attempt to distance myself from him. I listened to his breathing deepen as he fell asleep, enjoying the way he held onto me, even in his sleep. It was a fleeting moment, but I’d memorize it. I’d keep it forever.
My mind was a whirlpool of scary questions, my body loose and tender. But my heart glowed like a bioluminescent creature, lighting up the darkness around us, and I fell asleep thinking of him.
Chapter 23
Emir
She was in my arms, I registered through a haze of sleep. I’d dreamed of us, right there, sleeping side by side in her guest room, my arm resting on her hip. It made sense. There wasn’t anything better to be dreaming about. Sure, we could have both sprouted wings and been able to fly, or breakfast items could have materialized out of thin air, but I couldn’t see that hugely improving reality.
Daylight seeped in through the crack between the heavy curtains, serving as a gentle reminder of the outside world. Janie stirred against me, her breathing shortening as she woke up.
“Emir?” She wrapped her fingers around my arm and my heart expanded.
“I’m right here.”
“You stayed with me.” I heard the smile in her sleepy voice.
She turned to face me. Gazing into her sleepy eyes, I marveled at the absence of pain. Every part of me felt rested, my head light on the pillow. I think she saw the difference in me, because her fingers climbed up to my forehead and her smile widened. “You look different.”
“I feel different. Good.”
Her smile widened, and she traced her finger to the corner of my mouth. “I’ve been so obsessed with making you smile.” She blushed.
She looked so adorable I didn’t even realize I was smiling back until her finger touched my incisor. “It’s magical, you know?” There was a hint of teasing, but also that warmth I’d come to associate with her. Janie gave everything meaning.
“It’s not that I don’t want to smile. I just haven’t had a reason.”
