“Giving us a chance,” I say, getting into bed and opening the covers so she’ll fit against me.
She slips in. I put my arms around her, willing my body not to respond to the feel of her curves or the intoxicating way she smells. Luckily, I’m too tired to do much as I drift off.
“Thank you,” she whispers.
I’m not sure what she’s thanking me for—not being a monster, perhaps—but I don’t care. It’s a step in the right direction.
“You deserve everything...” I murmur before sleep claims me.
I may be almost twice her age, but she has wisdom beyond my years. She is dealing with her feelings. I, in my constant avoidance of everything real, have denied myself for so long that I wouldn't recognize a genuine emotion if it slapped me in the face.
We sleep peacefully for hours. We wake up in the late afternoon.
“I'm starving,” she says against my chest. “Does the hotel have snacks?”
She makes me laugh. “I’m sure they do. Let's order room service. I don't really want to move.” I bring her in closer, stroking her hair.
It feels good just to hold her.
“Do you think they'll be able to take the order straight from my brain? I don't want to move either.”
“I might be able to muster up enough strength to pick up my phone. Here.” I act like an old man trying to reach for the nightstand, complete with grunts and groaning. I find the menu online. “Pick something for both of us. That’s all the energy I have,” I tease as she takes the phone.
I allow myself to fantasize about growing old with her one day. Granted, we are less than two weeks into our relationship, so all of it is a fantasy. But the idea of having someone loving in my life is a wish I never dared to dream.
“Do you want to just get hamburgers and fries? Maybe a salad to share?” She looks at me with her doe eyes, and I want to make love to her for the rest of the day.
“A woman who eats... what a marvelous surprise.” I poke her in the stomach gently.
“Suddenly, I’m so hungry,” she admits. “I’m sure morning sickness will kick my ass soon, so let’s eat while I can.”
“Burger and fries with a shared salad sounds perfect.” I take my phone back and place the order.
“One good thing about you being pregnant,” I say, rubbing her belly.
“I’ll be eating for two?”
“We don’t have to worry about birth control. A baby is already in progress... so all I’ll ever need is your consent.” I offer a smile, hoping she feels the same way.
“Can I make a deal with you?” She sounds nervous.
“I love deals,” I encourage.
She takes a deep breath. “If you promise to get to know me as a person and genuinely talk to me, I will consent to having sex with you because I really do enjoy it. You're the best lover I've ever had. In turn, I’ll do the same. I'll invest in learning who you are so that maybe when our marriage ends, we can still be friends.”
It’s all very rational. I can't say no to her, and yet I also want to stop talking about the end of our marriage when it hasn’t really begun.
“That is an easy yes. I look forward to getting to know you. And I'm going to start by grilling your sister. So how do I get ahold of her?”
“She is a nurse with a husband and three young sons, and surprisingly, she is also pregnant. I'm not sure she's going to beable to get time off to come to New York. I do want you to meet her, I just don't know the logistics.” She bites her lip.
“She doesn't know about any of this, does she?” I laugh softly to ease the tension, but I'm disappointed.
“I thought it was something I could share when we actually did get married. She'll think I'm absolutely insane, Griffin. The world already thinks I'm a gold-digger. I’m insane for marrying a man I don’t know.” The mood darkens. I can see Selena judging herself.
“The only person you really need to worry about is that little being in your belly and yourself. The rest of the world, including me, can fuck off. I would, however, like to get to know your family. You met Beckett and Scarlett. I want to know someone who is important in your life. Would it be okay if we call her now?”
“Now? Are you serious?”
