I know when she’s about to awaken because her plush lips always stretch into a faint smile before her big, dark eyes pop open. She gives me the full version of her sunshine. My returning grin makes her blush and rollover. I pull her back against my chest and kiss her shoulder.
“Say it again,” I ask between kisses.
“What?” she hedges. The hint of shyness is endearing.
“You know what I want to hear.”
“I love you, Axel.”
The zing I felt last night wasn’t a fluke. My heart thuds in response, and my arms squeeze her tighter. For the first time in my adult life, someone is in love with me, and I love her back.
“I love you, too.”
Heaven’s stomach growls in the near quiet room. “I think you promised me brunch.”
My lips brush her shoulder when I smile. “I’ll get you all the brunch you want. How do you want it? Want to go somewhere fancy and demand all the food and brunch drinks on the menu or order in?”
Heaven wiggles out of my embrace. The cover falls to reveal her naked skin as she arches her back in a long stretch. Her bang falls over her eye when she looks back at me.
“Let’s go out. I want to rub the fact that you’re mine in the world’s face.”
No one makes me laugh as much as she does.
* * *
Heaven
Bliss.
That’s the only way I can describe the last two days. It's liberating having our feelings out in the open and basking in it. We make love, openly, giving ourselves to each other with no restraint. Everything just feels different. Although he’s gone to work, I can’t wipe the smile off my face. I hum as I leave the kitchen post breakfast. I’m happy I’m two hours behind my friends because I need to update them. The happiness I feel needs to be shared. I get Latoya on the line first then connect with Kerri.
“Hey girls. I’m checking in.”
“I’m glad you were able to climb off Axel’s dick to remember to call us.” Latoya’s joke makes Kerri snort.
“Yeah. Yeah. I’m calling to give you an update.”
“What? Are you coming back?” Keri asks, jumping back into business.
“I don’t know; we haven’t talked about it. We’ll discuss it tomorrow once everything is done. But…” The doorbell chiming pulls my attention. “Wait. Someone is at the door.”
I peek out to find another delivery guy.
“Hello. I have a delivery for Axel Behr.”
Immediately, I think of all the gifts Allie had sent Axel previously.
“He’s not accepting gifts from Allie,” I tell him.
His brown eyes drop back to the gift basket. “This is from Mr. Pafuti?”
“Okay. Thank you.”
I accept the expensive gift basket. At first glance, I see a bottle of Dom Perignon, brie, assorted nuts, and chocolate truffles.
“Fancy,” I murmur as I place it on the living room table then plop down on the couch.
“What’s fancy?”
