“Don’t look at me like that with your cute dimples and pretty eyes,” he says.
I laugh and the sound is far more giddy than I expected it to be.
“Even your laugh makes me happy,” he confesses as he leans in and kisses me all over my face. He pulls back and studies me for a moment. “Admit that you like me too.”
“That’s very elementary of you,” I respond, and he smirks.
“If the shoe fits...” He runs his thumb over my jaw as he leans down and kisses my forehead. The sweet gesture makes me wantto devote my life to him, and not just to another date. The glint in his eyes and the comfort of his hand gently pressed against my waist makes me wonder about the possibility of us. It’s making me play make-believe in a world we won’t ever live in because between my dissertation and my work schedule, I simply don’t have time to devote to anyone other than my dog.
“Fine,” I say at last.
He leans in, waiting for me to elaborate.
“I like you,” I admit, to which he pumps a fist and mouths,yesss,before trailing kissing down my shoulder and arm. It might just be the understatement of the year, and his reaction might be the most adorable thing I’ve ever seen.
“Want to make breakfast?” I ask.
He smiles as he grabs my face and kisses me. “You’re a dream, Julia Waters.”
I laugh into the kiss, agreeing with the statement. “I’m also starving.”
His hand rests on my abdomen, and he says, “I’m not surprised.”
He throws on his boxers and I throw on my sweatpants, and we make our way to the kitchen. He fries the bacon and potatoes. I scramble the eggs. When everything is about finished, he steps behind me and kisses the back of my neck.
“What is it about you?” he whispers, making the goosebumps on my flesh rise.
It’s an ambiguous statement but I get it. It all feels so easy and beautiful and just...right. I tilt my head back against his shoulder, and he holds on to my waist. His lips trace my shoulder and I ignore the tremble moving through my veins. His fingertips just barely dip under my sweats and I ignore the ache. His mouth moves to the place just below my ear and I...oh.
I’m a goner.
I spin around and face him, wanting him to kiss me but he doesn’t. He moves his mouth until he’s just a breath away. I move forward to kiss him, and he draws back with a slow smirk. He’s teasing me. I hate it. But oh my God, I love it.
He moves back to look at me and slips his thumb in the waistband of my sweats. He eases them down slowly, sinking his fingers into my hips then my thighs as they fall to the floor beneath us. Then he turns me around and I brace the countertop. I sense him admiring each of my curves and holding them in his hands while trailing hot, wet kisses on my tailbone. Without warning, he sinks his teeth into the flesh, and I moan as he wraps an arm around my waist, pulling me against him.
He takes me right there in the kitchen while our eggs burn on the stove.
eight
CLAIRE:I feel like you’re leaving out details.
Me:I’m not.
Lena:she is
Lena never uses punctuation or capitalization. Ever. My lips twist as I contemplate a response.
Me:We tried to clean the wine as best we could, had amazing sex while Kevin Costner played in the background. Then continued in the bedroom until 6 O’CLOCK IN THE MORNING.
Lena:and you haven’t heard from him since monday night when he went home
It’s a question, even though she lacks a question mark.
Me:No, we didn’t exchange numbers.
Claire:Maybe you friend-zoned him. You do that.
Me:I did tell him I didn’t want anything serious.
