32
CASSIE
Spending our first day together as a family is wonderful.
Patrick bounces between Sophie and me, and the past months that we’ve spent together have really helped us build something out of nothing.
He’s been in my bed before, but tonight will be different. It’s been platonic up until now, but just the thought of the way things changed today leave my heart racing.
What will it be like to be with Patrick now?
I’m about to find out.
Sophie’s been in bed a while, and we’re crashed out on the couch watching a movie.
Patrick slips his arm around my waist. “I think it’s bedtime,” he says, then brushes his lips behind my ear.
Standing, he holds his hand out for me to take. The house is locked—he’s already checked all of that—and I grab the remote and turn the television off before taking his outstretched hand.
This is it.
“We don’t have to do this,” he murmurs. “If you want to wait, that’s fine. It’s enough that we’re giving this a go.”
“I want to.”
And that’s the truth. I miss sex. It’s just not the act of it, but the intimacy and the companionship that go with it.
The companionship with Patrick is easy. It’s been easy since he started coming here. Over the last year and a bit, we’ve had an opportunity to re-establish the friendship that we enjoyed before we started going out the last time.
He knows the difference between teenage Cassie and adult Cassie as far as my likes and dislikes go. He knows my taste in music, movies, TV, and books.
We’ve had time to learn about each other.
This relationship will be different from before.
He cups my face in his hands and presses a gentle kiss to my lips.
“Come on.”
I tremble in anticipation of what’s to come. It’s crazy—I’m a grown woman.
When we reach the bedroom, Patrick closes the door quietly behind us. “You’re scared.”
I nod. “Do you remember the night we were together? I feel like that.”
“You don't have to be nervous with me.”
“Are you kidding? When you look?—"
His brows knit. “Don’t you dare finish that sentence. We went through this back then, and I’m telling you now. You. Are. Gorgeous. I want you so fucking much, Cassie.”
“But—"
“I get that we’re older, but everything gets better with age.”
“Or mouldy.” I try hard not to laugh, but he’s so serious and I can’t let this be like that. I want to be able to relax and maybe laughing will help.
“Cassie Warren. I will put you over my knee if you make any more self-deprecating jokes. Do you think I’d have been here every weekend following you around like a puppy needing attention if I didn’t want you?”
