Fuck.Valfeelsincredible.More than any woman I’ve ever been with. There’s something here, something between us, and this tells me she knows it too. The question is, what do we do with it?
Thatis certainly something I’d do again and again and again. Preferably with fewer clothes next time.
But then I realize that I just had sex with somebody who I barely know.
“Are you okay?” Please God, let her be okay. If she’s not, I may have to jump out of this window.
“Hell, yes.”
A smile spans my face. Then I realize I’m still on top of her and inside of her, so I pull out and tuck myself away, rolling to my side, and she does the same.
“Thank you for coming to check on me. While the sex was unexpected, it turned out to be exactly what I needed. Or maybe it’s you. I’m not sure.” She reaches out and rests her delicate fingers on my forearm.
“Me?” What could I have done?
“Yeah. There’s a certain comfort level I already feel with you. A sense of safety. I don’t know, maybe it’s because you understand what I’ve been through and what that means when somebody brings it up.”
“That I do.” Reaching forward, I tuck a curl behind her ear and brush my lips against hers.
“As much as I don’t want to, we should get back downstairs before somebody realizes we’re missing, or that we’ve been missing for a while. I wouldn’t want somebody to wander in and find us in bed together, even if we are just like this.” The way we are now is completely platonic, two people lying in bed, facing each other talking, and fully clothed, despite Val’s torn tights.
“Good point. Think we can go down together, or should we be separate?” Gram knew I was coming to check on her, but I’m not really sure what the protocol is from here.
“I don’t think it will be a problem. I’m sure they’ve moved on by now.”
And by the time we get downstairs, it’s clear they have. Most people are relaxing on the couches, kids sprawled across parents’ laps, some with thumbs in their mouths and some already asleep.
The nutty aroma of coffee wafts in my direction, and I assume it’s rest time before dessert and coffee. At least that’s how I imagine the night will finish.
I follow Val back to the dining room table, which has been cleared of all the dinner plates and wine glasses being replaced with dessert plates and coffee mugs.
When she takes her seat, I flop into mine, but throw my arm over the back of her chair. She leans into my chest, where I place a kiss on the top of her head.
Whatever transpired upstairs shifted our relationship from a quick one-night blind date to something far more.
Gram and the aunts start bringing things to the table; pies, cakes, cookies, all in succession. Every time Aunt Billie is in the room, I keep a close eye on her, following her with my stare. She better not put Val down again, because this time I may end up saying something that prevents me from being invited back.
“Val, I know you’d like coffee, but Lincoln, how about you, dear? We also have tea.” Aunt Nina seems to be in charge of drink orders and holds a large pot of coffee in her hands as she reaches forward to fill Val’s mug.
“Yes, coffee would be great. Thank you.” I scooch a touch closer to Val as Nina pours my coffee. I want to be as near to her as I possibly can be.
She reacts in kind and leans farther into me. I’m sure she’s uncomfortable in her ripped tights and now sex-covered self.
“Want to get out of here soon?” I lean down and ask against her ear.
An overly eager nod is my response, though it’s quickly followed by a yawn as she lowers in her seat and seems to get even comfier against me.
I hope she’s not too tired, because I have big plans for when I get her home.
I only hope she has the same thoughts in mind.
Chapter 20
Valerie
I’mtryingtorushthrough dessert, while still savoring my coffee, of course, so that Lincoln and I can excuse ourselves and leave.
Every part of me is screaming for more of him, to feel him again, and this time without the clothes on.
