Page 61 of Gravity

Her eyes are now open and they glisten from the early morning light that catches them. “Good morning, baby,” I grin. “Sleep well?”

“I had the best dream. There was this handsome guy and he made me feel all kinds of crazy before he held me all night long. And just like that, my dream came true when I opened my eyes to still find him here.”

“Prince Charming really does exist then?”

She shrugs a shoulder. “I wouldn’t go that far.”

I pinch her nose playfully, going in for another kiss and trailing my tongue along her bottom lip before I slip it into her mouth and kiss her senseless.

Tongues dancing, fingers gripping into my back as I grind against her...

The blissful moans that leave her are heaven, and I mentally tell myself to stop because she is not helping my erection, but I can’t. She’s like a drug, and I’m counting down the hours when I can have her fully. I could have taken her last night—I could have taken her all fucking night—but once those words had slipped from her lips, everything changed.

I want her to feel comfortable, and more importantly, I need her to trust me, no matter how long that takes.

But Jesus, she’s killing me.

“I need to get going soon, or at least go down and lay on the couch. Your mom and brother could come home any time.”

“I want to stay like this forever,” she whispers, wrapping her arms around my neck.

“I wish we could.”

“I can’t believe we hid our feelings for each other for so long. Now, within a few hours, everything will change again. I won’t be able to touch you when I want. Kiss you when I need it.”

She sounds disheartened and I get it completely, but I need to do this right. Walking on eggshells will be a measure we’ll both have to take for a while before I figure out how to tell Asher.

Resting up on my elbows, I look down at her, brushing my finger along her hairline before I tuck the hair behind her ear, speaking with honesty. “I don’t want to keep you a secret, Nora because you don’t deserve to live like that. I want to walk along the beach holding your hand. I want to kiss you in public whenever I want and let everyone know that you are my girl, but right now, that will have to wait.”

“I wish things were different.”

“And they will be. I don’t know when, I don’t know how, but they will be,” I vow.

“Why can’t he be more like you? Protective but let me live, too…”

“Isn’t it an older brother’s prerogative to be that way? You’re the miracle baby remember. And, naturally, being a miracle means you need to be wrapped in cotton wool your entire life and become a nun,” I joke.

“Well in that case, I’ve sinned already.”

“He just loves you, that’s all.”

“I know.” She grips my jaw, pulling me down so our lips are a breath apart. “Now, kiss me a little more before this night is over.”

I smile, needing to touch her. “I can think of something better than that.”

“Oh really. And what do you have in—”

Her soft whimpers and pleas become music to my ears when I slip my fingers between her thighs, awakening her body in the most beautiful way and having me mesmerized by her all the more.

* * *

“Post-stroke seizures? Shit. I can’t believe it,” Mark says, leaning against the bar of Hot Tuna waiting for Asher to arrive.

The lunch time trade is busy as usual as the hot weather outside only entices people out more.

“But he’s good now, right?”

“He’s as good as he can be. He’s had a good night at the hospital and looks set to come home later today or tomorrow.”