“Think you want to try that again? We are making up for lost time and all.” He smirks as his fingers ghost lower, and my breath catches as his thumb grazes my clit.
Smiling, my eyes meet his. “So much time.”
Chapter Thirty-Three
First morning light filters through the sheer curtains of the bedroom, casting a soft glow over Hannah’s bare shoulders and back. It’s still early, but I have been lying here watching her sleep for at least the past thirty minutes. Her chest rises and falls with every breath; her silky hair spread across the pillow and her small hand resting on my side. I’m afraid if I move, I will lose this perfect moment. Last night was more than I deserve and could have ever hoped for when I moved home.
After a few more orgasms and a shower, I left my girl sated in bed while I went outside to check the dying fire and collect the forgotten s’more supplies. Bears would have ruined the mood for sure. Exhausted we curled up in bed together whispering in the dark until late into the night. Not about everything, she’s not ready for that, but about all the little things we have missed in each other’s lives. We revisited old memories of our childhood, awkward teen years, and finally university. She told me about how she now owns the gallery, and I shared funny stories about my best and worst tattoo clients. She told me about how she found out about her mom and Mason. I didn’t see that coming.
I fell asleep to the sound of her soft breathing with her head tucked under my chin, cradled in my arms. For the first time inyears I feel content, like everything is finally how it should have always been. I wonder if she feels it too.
Hannah lets out a soft sigh as her green eyes flutter open, still heavy with sleep. A slow smile curves her lips as her fingers glide up over my ribs to my chest. “Morning,” she murmurs, voice low and warm.
Exhaling softly, I smile down at her. My fingers brush gently along her jaw before tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
“Good morning, baby. How did you sleep?” I ask quietly. My hand drifts slowly down the column of her neck, over her collarbone and to her ribs. She shivers with sensation as I try to memorize every inch of her in the soft morning light.
“Better than I have in a long time. Have you been awake long?”
“Not really. I could get used to waking up like this again.” My lips graze her temple, and for a moment, we simply stay quiet, content in each other’s arms.
“What are you thinking about?” she whispers, her breath warming my skin.
“I wish I had moved home sooner. It’s funny how as a teenager I wanted nothing more than to get away from this town. Then, as an adult, I was desperate to come back.”
I missed the quiet and slowness of rural living. I craved the trees, fresh water, and clean air. I hated everything about city life. It was too loud, and too busy, so different from the peaceful pace of rural Emerley. And most of all I missed Hannah.
“Why didn’t you?” she asks softly.
“Honestly, I didn’t want to disrupt your life.” Looking up, she narrows her eyes at me before she lies back down again. “You were happy. Riot said your mom was doing better. You were dating Danny and had a successful gallery. I was worried that moving home would disrupt that, and I didn’t want to do that toyou. It was a mistake.” Puffing out a big breath, I hold her a little closer. “I made a lot of them.” I was such a fool.
“Fucking Riot,” she grumbles into my chest. “You have a bad habit of presuming to know what I want and need without asking me.” If she knew how much that was true, we may not be laying here right now. Maybe I should just let it go. So many of the secrets I hold on to are ancient history and not really mine to tell.
“I’m sorry.” Lightly stroking her back, I kiss her on her forehead. “If I could go back in time I would do everything differently.”
“I know, I believe you,” she whispers, pulling me a little closer.
We lie quietly for a moment; her fingertips lazily trace the lines of the tattoos over my shoulders and chest. “I love your tattoos; will you tell me about them?”
“What do you want to know?”
“Are they all symbolic?”
“Not all of them. Some of them I got because of the vibe, some because I was young and dumb.”
“Which ones did you design?” Curiosity fills her voice.
“This mandala here,” my hand covers hers and I slide it to my neck, “it represents a journey, beginning, middle, and end.” Dragging her hand to the side of my throat. “This dragonfly’s flight path represents clarity in chaos.” Slowly, I guide her hand down to my chest. “And this is the first one I designed.”
As she sits up to get a better look, the sheet falls to her waist, her nipples pebble with the chill in the air. Instantly, my dick twitches. Stand down. Now is not the time, dude.
“It’s beautiful.” She leans forward to examine the details of the tattoo over my heart. It is my only coloured piece in a sea of black and grey. Tall green pine trees, brilliant blue water, and an intricate black and gold compass cover most of my left pec.“What do the numbers mean?” She traces the circle around the perimeter of the compass.
“They are GPS coordinates.” She raises her eyes to meet mine in a question. “The longitude and latitude to this cabin, so I could always find my way back to you.” Tears well up in her eyes and she takes a shuttering breath before they begin to fall down her cheeks.
“You were always with me, baby.” I place her hand over my heart and keep it in place for a moment. I don’t think she realizes the hold she has over me. I’ll spend every moment for the rest of my life earning a place in hers.
Pulling her down towards me, her breath hitches as I slowly roll her onto her back. My hips settle between her soft thighs, and I use a thumb to brush away the remaining tears. My lips place a delicate kiss on each eye, the tip of her nose, and tentatively brush them against her lips. Her mouth parts to join mine in a slow, intimate kiss. It deepens as our exploring tongues dance together.
