I gather the blanket and the extra stuff. I’m not sleepy but I am tired. We can talk until we fall asleep. Karessa is back in bed when I return and I take my turn. As I pee, brush my teeth, and wash my face, I consider some of the things we can talk about.
I hear Henry Cavill’s voice and roll my eyes. Women and their obsession for that man.
“What are you watching on your phone?”
She smiles dreamily. “Henry Cavill reading part of The Witcher. That man can read to me any day.”
I refrain from pointing out that Henry just may be the reason why she’s still gaga over Oran. Climbing onto my side of the bed, I steal a kiss from her lips.
“About this morning, like I said, I’m sorry for disappearing, I just needed to clear my head.”
She leans back and rolls her head to the side to look at me. “And all you have to do is tell me. I’m not clingy, I know how to give you space. Hell, I’ve been single most of my adult life.”
“Which is fucking insane, by the way.”
She grins but doesn’t respond to the statement. “I wasn’t trying to be antisocial today, it’s been a long month for me. I’m exhausted.”
“You’ll never have to apologize for taking a break and seeing about yourself, Karebear. Did you finish the book you were reading earlier?”
“No,” her eyebrows knit from confusion of the subject change. “Why?”
“Pull it up and hand it over.”
She giggles. “It’s an erotic love story.”
“So? I know all the dirty words. Fuck Henry Cavill, let Jagger Liam Hanlon read you a story.”
Chapter Sixteen
Karessa
It’s morning.I can feel the sun shining but I don’t have the desire to move. I’m warm and comfortable. Jagger read to me last night, emphasizing all the dirty words. It’s something I never knew I wanted but am happy to have experienced. Even with all the naughty inflections, it was soothing being cuddled up on his chest listening to the deep rumble of his voice, feeling his warm hand rubbing my back, and receiving random forehead kisses during some parts of the story. A live reading is a much different speed than audio recordings.
Jagger stirs for a second, pulls me closer, then his breathing evens out again. I’d fallen asleep on his chest but now I’m the small spoon. Remembering when he came to see me at the hotel, I realize I’ve learned something about Mr. Hanlon.
“You like to cuddle,” I tease out loud.
“No. I love it.” He squeezes me to demonstrate his point.
The part of me that was single for years loves it as well. He tightens his grip when I try to sit up.
“Stay just like this,” he coos.
“It’s Monday. Don’t you have a job?” I ask because I realize I don’t know what Jagger does day to day.
“Several, butwe’renot doing anything today.”
“We’re not?”
“We just got married two days ago. Our faces are everywhere, let the world miss us.”
“That sounds amazing,” I tell him. “Pass me my phone, please.”
“Are you calling out?” Jagger asks and I feel the urge to mess with him.
“First, I’m going to tell my side piece he can’t see me today, then I’ll order us some breakfast.”
Jagger’s fingers dig into my hip as his morning wood presses against my lower back.
