I set my clean clothes on the counter and decide on a eucalyptus shower bomb. I need as much help with my stress relief as I can get right now. Steam fogs my mirrors as I wrestle myself out of my sports bra and the calming eucalyptus fills the room.
The hot water beats down on my tense muscles and I let out a moan as I stand directly under the shower’s spray.
You did so good, sweetheart.
My core clenches around nothing as his praise comes back to me. I stop fighting the memory, allowing myself to pretend the hot water is his body surrounding me. The steam becomes his hot breath as he whispers those sweet words into my ear. One arm slides across my stomach, the other travels up to cup my breast. Despite the hot water, my nipples are so hard they could cut glass.
I roll it between my fingers and a whimper escapes my lips and I slowly lower the hand on my stomach. I try to imagine his postage stamps are decorating my arm as my pointer and middlefinger brush my folds. A sharp gasp escapes my lips as I make contact with my clit.
I’m so keyed up, it takes no time at all for my orgasm to build as I circle my clit in quick movement and turn the attention of my other hand to my other nipple. The new mix of pleasure and pain as I pinch my nipple causes another gasp to escape me. Fireworks dance between my eyes and a whine starts in my chest.
Holy fuck.
My release explodes, a shiver racks my body and my breath is coming out in pants.
As my pulse starts to even out again, I make quick work of washing my body and hair. It’s just after one in the afternoon but I decide to turn on my favorite tv show and veg out for the rest of the day. I’m in too much shock with myself to attempt anything else.
Once my body is dried off enough, I forgo the clothes I had originally pulled out and walk to my room—naked as the day I was born—and get into my oldest, most comfortable pair of pajamas.
They are Christmas themed and older than Henry but the age has transformed them into the softest articles of clothing that I own. I need this comfort right now as I try to avoid the storm of feelings brewing in my stomach. I’m hoping the triple threat of my pajamas, a cozy blanket and my comfort show will calm these nerves.
As I queue up the episode, my phone vibrates once.
Mabel: Want to come over for dinner? Lola wants to discuss our trip to SLC for that sports game.
Me: Can we plan on tomorrow? I think I hurt my knee during our group hug.
I’m lying, my knee is fine but I can’t see either of my sisters right now. All of my feelings are wrecked and they will be able to tell before I sit down.
Lola: Are you okay?
Mabel: Bummer. We can reschedule to tomorrow if you promise to not let your ‘injury’ prevent us from loving you in the future.
Me: Yeah, I’m fine. I just want to rest to be safe.
Lola: Okay. I am fine with tomorrow if that works for both of you.
Mabel: Works for me. Gonna take my bra off if you aren’t coming over.
Me: Tomorrow sounds great.
Lola: We all know your bra has been off since you walked into your house. See you then, love ya both.
Mabel:
Me: Love you
The relief of not having to hide my feelings is immediate. I toss my phone onto the couch next to me and hit play on myshow with no plans of moving from the spot for the rest of the day, I snuggle deeper into my blanket.
Chapter Twenty-Two
PATRICK
The rest of the weekend passes with not much fanfare. I can’t stop thinking about Elle but that only strengthens my resolve to put some distance between us. Thankfully, most of my plans for the week involve being on the trails on the Farm. I do need to make some phone calls to confirm some of the first tours and solidify details like group size and such but I’ll cross the bridge when I get there.
I’m walking down the trail, a mix of emotions churning in my stomach. I saw another flower that caught my attention and planned to leave it on her desk. As I walked up to the office, my intentions were halted when I noticed a small plastic mat next to the door with a sign hanging above “Please remove work shoes prior to entering.”
This woman.
