21
Sunlight hitting my naked skin roused me from sleep, a contrast to the cool sheets I was tangled in.
This time when I woke up in Nathan's apartment, I wasn't confused or disoriented. I awoke feeling lazy, relaxed and content.
Nathan was next to me, still deep asleep. I shifted carefully, so as not to wake him up. I leaned on my elbow, staring at the sandy-blond hair falling over his cheeks and covering his closed eyelids. His lips were slightly parted, pink and utterly kissable. He looked so innocent.
The handcuffs and blindfold on his nightstand belied that image.
I didn't know how long I laid there, watching him sleep. Long enough for fuzzy butterflies to fill my stomach. Also, long enough for my bladder to complain.
I eventually slipped out of bed, grabbing a spare pair of Nathan's boxers and a t-shirt to get cleaned up. The purple toothbrush I had used before was in the cup next to his blue one. It was so domestic. Those warm fuzzies exploded into near giddiness.
As I stepped into the shower, I made a mental note not to get ahead of myself. That Nathan and I were seeing each other had been agreed upon, but that didn't necessarily mean we were anything more serious. Certainly, the wordsboyfriendandgirlfriendhadn't yet touched his lips.
Before, I hadn't known if I'd wanted them to. I'd been so conflicted. But now, after having talked to him, those fears inside me had quieted. I was going to stop worrying and fretting. I was going to enjoy my time with him.
I would take things one day at a time.
After I'd gotten dressed in Nathan's clothes, I started to make my way to the kitchen. I stopped when I saw a door in the hallway half-ajar. I'd assumed it was a closet, but through the crack I could see a leather sofa and a guitar in its stand.
I poked my head in further. The room didn't just have one guitar. There were more than half a dozen, in all different styles and colors. Three were acoustic. I found myself drawn to those, with those shiny wood finishes. I went up to one and plucked at a string. It reverberated with a deep thrum. I quickly pressed my palm to the strings to quiet it, not wanting to wake Nathan yet.
The leather sofa looked overstuffed and comfy, and there were pages of music sheets scattered across a coffee table.
This must have been his music room, where Nathan wrote his songs. In the early morning quiet, the room felt oddly sacred.
I stayed a few more moments, soaking in the atmosphere, before leaving and closing the door behind me. I didn't want to disturb anything, and I didn't know how Nathan would feel about me being in there. Maybe he didn't like anybody else in his work space. Although I wanted to explore more, I also didn't want to invade his privacy.
I glanced toward the bedroom. Nathan was still sound asleep, although he'd tossed the sheets aside and his naked backside was visible.
I wasn't ashamed to admit I spent some time admiring the view.
Since he was still dead to the world, I decided I would repay his favor from last time and make him breakfast. After downing my morning meds with a glass of water from the tap, I started exploring food options. When I opened his fridge, I was almost surprised with how much I had to work with. The choice was overwhelming. He'd made scrambled eggs last time so I figured it was a safe bet.
As I cracked the eggs, whisked them and poured them into the frying pan, I kept replaying the previous night's events in my head.
I'd never experienced something like that before. I'd never thought someone like me ever would. After my first boyfriend, I'd pretty much given up on the idea of relationships. Trusting anyone enough to let them tie me up was out of the question.
But everything was different with Nathan.
The smell of something burning distracted me from my thoughts. I looked down at the pan to see the eggs smoking. I hurried to remove them from the stove and turn down the heat, but it was too late.
"Dammit," I groaned. I'd ruined what was supposed to be a thoughtful breakfast in bed.
Arms hugged me from behind and soft lips placed a kiss on my neck. Nathan's rich, earthy smell surrounded me. He hadn't showered yet, but I loved that sleep-warmed scent. I inhaled deeply, taking it in, immediately relaxing.
"Did you burn breakfast?" he teased.
"Sorry," I replied, crestfallen. "I was going to surprise you."
He laughed and squeezed my middle. "You're sweet."
"I never had to learn to cook," I said. "I guess I sort of suck."
"Then you can leave the cooking to me. I learned from the best."
"Your mom?" I guessed.
