Page 56 of Lessons in Love
I pull her close and wrap my arm around her and spank her playfully on that fine ass of hers, then get a solid grab. Because I can.
She snuggles against me and closes her eyes. Then I whisper, “Can I take you out for your birthday, V?”
Her body is relaxed and molded to mine. You know those feelings I’ve been walking around with on my sleeve that I can’t seem to shake? Yeah, they crawl up into my chest making the beats bounce around my ribcage wildly. Holding her is just what I needed. She’s not just warming my arms. She’s setting my soul on fire.
“I’d love that. Thank you.”
I stroke her hair and kiss her head. “Thank you, sweet girl.” Closing my eyes, I whisper, “Sweet dreams.”
“Sweet dreams.”
The woman needs blackout curtains. This blinding light is ridiculous. “Fuck,” I groan, rolling away from the window. “Who the fuck is shining a spotlight in here?”
Her laugh is light and the bed shakes a little. She leans her forehead against mine and says, “That’s called the sun. I know you work nights, but this is what morning looks like.”
Grabbing a pillow, I cover my head. “Morning is overrated. Let’s go back to sleep until a more sociable time. I’m partial to two.”
She slinks under the pillow and kisses my nose. “I can’t sleep anymore. I’m going to make coffee. Can I bring you a cup?”
“What time is it?”
“Seven thirty.”
“Yes, I’d like a cup . . . in about five hours.”
Laughing again, the bed moves when she starts to leave. I grab her wrist, and then her leg, and drag her back under the covers. “Stay.”
Without protest, she shifts and wraps her arms around me. I rest my head on her chest, letting the steady beat of her heart lull me back to sleep.
The next time I open my eyes, I’m alone in bed.
Which is wrong on so many levels.
I hear Christmas music playing softly in the other room. I flip the covers off and pad across the floor ignoring the massive boner I’m sporting. He can be handled in a moment. I peek into the living room and see Virginia sitting on the floor with wrapping paper and presents all around her.
Visions of a fast forward future: fire burning in a fireplace, music playing, her sitting surrounded by toys and a plate of cookies and milk comes to mind, completely freaking me out.
Boner. Gone. Just like that.
I duck back and get dressed. After a quick visit to the bathroom, I come out to find her standing in the doorway with a pink cup of coffee outstretched. “Good morning. I thought you might like this.”
“A travel mug?”
“Coffee to go. I figured you’d be ready to bolt when you got up,” she says with a smile that would devastate me if I weren’t already freaked out from the future that flashed before my eyes.
“Yeah.” I shift under her analyzing gaze.
I take the pink cup. “I’m supposed to open the bar.”
“It’s okay, Hardy. We don’t have to make this awkward.” Standing there looking at me like I’m a problem she’s trying to solve—the numbers out of whack and making no sense until she finds the missing factor, she adds, “I never expected you to stay.”
Well that made it awkward. Moving closer, I touch her cheek, hating that I don’t just hear the disappointment in her voice, but I see it in her eyes. “I’ll see you Saturday.” She nods, her words not coming when she moves closer and rests her cheek against my chest. I hug her. Tight. For her. For me. “Saturday, okay?”
“Okay.”
“Look at me,” I say, leaning back. When she does, I smile. “I’m glad I stayed.”
Her smile grows and she tightens her hold around my middle. “Me too.” Lifting up, she kisses my lips gently and instead of dropping down, she stays. I close my eyes and savor the taste of her sweet lips. Then I kiss her back.
