Page 49 of Lorcan
Hope.
Not just hope that I might have a relationship with Cody. Well, not all about that. Just that my life looked different than it had yesterday. Some of the bleakness was gone. Blown away by two mind-altering orgasms. Wrapped in the security of someone who called mesweetheartand held me close. Suddenly, the world was full of possibilities. That we might form some kind of bond. All the doubts that crowded my mind yesterday— I hesitated. They weren’t gone. Not entirely. But they’d receded. Had given way to optimism. To even a touch of happiness. Something I’d believed gone forever.
“Hey.” Cody eased himself into the room. “You okay?” His blue eyes radiated concern.
“Yeah.” I tipped my head up to meet his gaze.
He stroked my cheek. “You were gone a while. I thought you’d come back to bed.”
“I was gone that long?”Have I really been staring at myself for such a time? Wincing at the crow’s feet and feeling a little on the pudgy side?“Sorry.”
He kissed my nose. “I didn’t want to intrude—you deserve privacy. The other bathroom is yours, okay? If you’re in there, then I know to leave you be.”
“And what if you want privacy?” His offer felt almost too generous.
“I’ll close myself in the room with the washing machine.”
I laughed. “Would you even fit?”
He appeared to consider. “Well, if I stood sideways, it’s entirely possible. I’d just have to be careful not to knock any of the hoses.”
His easygoing manner disarmed me. Any negative thoughts fled from my mind. “I adore how your mind works.”
I would’ve sworn his eyes softened as he offered me his most charming smile. “Well, I adore you too. So I’d say we’re doing well. Do you feel like a walk?”
After a moment, I cocked my head.
“I thought we could walk down to Fifties and have breakfast.”
The flash of pain came in an instant, and I ruthlessly pushed it away. “I’d love to go to Fifties. They make the best breakfast.”
“They do.” He held my gaze. “Although you can order any food at any time.”
“I could. But I think a burger for breakfast might be a little much.”
He tweaked my nose. “Yes, for sure. We should shower first.”
“Can I give you a blow job?”
His eyes widened, and he cleared his throat. “Well, I’d never saynoto that offer.” He grinned. “I’ll go piss first and you can get the right temperature for the water.”
“Perfect.” I moved to the large shower and turned on the faucet. As the water heated, I forced myself to stay in the present. To not think about the fact that my ex and I used to go to Fifties every week. How I hadn’t been there even once since Stephen left—even though they made the best burgers in Cedar Valley.
When the water was hot, but not scalding, I stepped inside the shower. I stood under the spray to wet my hair. Whatever shampoo Cody used would be good enough for me. I wasn’t picky that way. Yet something else that differentiated me from my ex—he always chose the most-expensive version of everything. I never understood the reason for the extravagance. But he contributed to paying the bills, so I didn’t complain about his spending.
“Let me wash your hair?” Cody offered me a wicked smile as he stepped into the shower.
“Uh…sure.”
As he grabbed the bottle of shampoo, I turned my back to him.
The most heavenly scent filled my nose as he rubbed the shampoo into my hair.
“Okay, what’s that scent?”
“Rose Hips.” He scrubbed my scalp. “We’re scent-free at the ranch—because you never know who might have sensitivities or allergies—but I can enjoy my shampoo. The conditioner doesn’t have a smell, so the rose is gone by the time I get out of the shower.”
I sighed. “That’s the best scent.”
