I stretched against him, happy to feel him awake in all ways, the evidence of his attraction to me hard to miss against my thigh. Rick hadn't ever even acted like he was awake at the same time as me in bed once things started going downhill. “I’mmorethan satisfied with my decision,” I said and pressed my lips to his, for the first time in my life not worried about morning breath or if my armpits might need a refresher in the shower. I kissed Daniel and pressed my body to his with the absolute certainty that he didn’t care about any of that.
What a novel and amazing feeling.
Rick would have told me to shower first. Brush my teeth. Maybe even put some makeup on. But that's enough of that, my ex was the last thing I should be thinking about right now. I turned the comparison game in my head off and focused on the man in front of me and what kissing him and being with him felt like. Which was amazing. He felt like home already which was both scary and thrilling.
When I pulled back, he looked down at me with devotion in his eyes. I would’ve said it was love, but I didn’t want to say the L-word too soon, even to myself. Didn’t want to jinx it. “I don’t want to rush you,” he said.
For a second I worried he'd picked up on my thoughts, that I'd projected somehow, or that he thought I was desperate for him to confess his feelings for me, that he was saying he didn't want to rush saying the L-word, and I didn't either. But then I realized he was talking more about morning sex, or maybe just us deciding to be exclusive, to be boyfriend and girlfriend, although the terms sounded ridiculous to use now. There was certainly nothing boyish about Daniel.
“My marriage was over years before it ended.” I patted his cheek. “If it taught me anything, it’s what Idon’twant in a relationship. Besides I'm just glad everything still functions the way it should.” I shot him a saucy wink and he laughed.
"Maybe we should double check?" he growled at me, the sound making my blood heat.
Several minutes later, as inseveral…maybe more like an hour, we tumbled out of bed. I went for the ensuite shower.
“I’ll go use Henry’s,” Daniel said.
Since we actually needed to get clean and start our day, I let him. Somehow I knew that if he got in the shower with me we'd get all frisky again and nothing would be accomplished. Well, not nothing exactly, but not what we needed to, at least not for a while. The man had some serious stamina. Maybe it was the shifter in him?
The entire time I was under the spray, even as I was working knots out of my hair, I couldn’t stop thinking about Daniel with a big, goofy smile on my face. He’d had a similar one on his when he’d walked out of my bedroom, which made my grin even wider.
He had been so patient, so caring, so...gentlemanly that I couldn't help but feel endeared to him. From the time we first started dating, he hadn't rushed me, hadn't even really suggested anything. Not once. He waited for me to tell him I was ready.
And boy had I been ready.
So, so ready.
And so had he, which was even better.
“Emma,” Daniel called into the bathroom. He’d finished faster than me. I swear men in the shower just do a loop over their whole body and that's it, whereas I can't help but let myself relax under the hot spray.
“Yes? Just come on in.” I peeked around the curtain with one eye closed against the shampoo in my hair. It stung anyway, but it was nowhere near as bad as it would have been if I hadn't closed it.
“I was just letting you know I’ll be downstairs.” He feigned peering around the curtain and waggled his eyebrows. “Next time we’ll do it together.”
“That’s a deal,” I said as I leaned back under the spray. I didn’t know if he was still peeking, or if he’d walked out, but it felt daring to rinse my hair with my hands raised and leaving my body on full display for him to watch if he wanted to. I felt voluptuous and wanted. I felt sexy.
Again, what a novel feeling. They all were with this man.
When I opened my eyes and looked out into the bathroom, he was gone. I had no idea if he’d watched me or not, but regardless of his current whereabouts, my grin was firmly planted in place. I wasn't sure I could stop smiling even if I wanted to. But, to be clear, I didn't. What I did want was to let myself enjoy this moment to the fullest.
As I walked out of the bathroom with a towel on my head, my phone rang. I unplugged it from the charger and hit speaker when I saw Deva’s name. “Hey, friend. What’s up?”
“You sound happy,” she replied suspiciously. “Did you get some last night or something?”
The laugh that burst from my mouth was entirely too shrill and excited. “Maybe.” If we'd been younger, she would have asked me for all the details and I would have gladly given them over and overanalyzed every second of the night. Now though? Now it felt private and special and I wasn't going to share that with anyone, not that I thought Deva would ask anymore. All of us have grown up past that point.
“Oh, good for you! It’s about time.” She cackled into the phone. “I’ve been waiting for this day.”
I started toweling my hair. “He’s a complete and wonderful gentleman.”
“I bet,” she said teasingly.
She was leaving it open for me to talk about it if I wanted or needed to, which I appreciated, but wasn't necessary. Daniel had made his intentions clear, as had I. There was no questioning, no trying to interpret each other's behavior. We were being honest and open and it felt damn good.
“Did you call for a reason?” I asked, entirely kidding, and she knew it.
“I did. It’s Carol.” Her tone had gone from teasing and light to practically heartbroken in a split second.
