He kisses me then, slow and deep, the water cascading over us, washing away everything but this moment, this feeling. Our connection. I’ve never felt more cherished.
When we finally step out of the shower, he wraps me in a towel, drying me off carefully. He lowers one of his shirts over my body, and I laugh as it falls to my knees. Then, the same hands that turned my ass red are tenderly brushing my hair. Then he leads me to his bed, pulling back the covers and tucking me in before sliding in beside me.
Later, lying in his bed beside him, I check my phone one last time before sleep.
Madison: How's dinner?
Me: Perfect. I'm staying over.
Madison: STAYING OVER?!?
Lily: She's moving FAST.
Chloe: She's moving at exactly the right pace for her.
Amber: Get it girl.
Maya: Just be safe.
Emily: Sending all the good vibes!
Me: I'm happy. Really, really happy.
Madison: That's all we want.
I set the phone down and turn into Justin's warmth. He pulls me close, kisses my temple.
"Your friends approve?" he murmurs.
"They're cautiously optimistic."
"I'll win them over."
"You sound very confident."
"I am. I'm good at winning people over when I need to."
"Is that what you did with me? Won me over?"
"No." He's quiet for a moment. "You won me over. I'm just trying to keep up."
My chest tightens with an emotion too big to name. I burrow closer, breathing him in.
"Justin?"
"Mm?"
"I love you." This time it was intentional.
His arms tighten around me. "Good. Because I love you too."
I fall asleep wrapped in his arms.
CHAPTER 10
Thursday morning starts with Justin's alarm at five-thirty.
I groan, burying my face in the pillow. "Why do you hate sleep?"
