GlideControlZ: Great. Sleep tight
ClickTease: You too. Good night.
Still smiling, I roll over and place my phone on the nightstand, then cuddle into my blankets and pillows. Gizmo hops up to join me and snuggles into my side, sensing it’s time to sleep. My heart is still racing as I close my eyes, and the thought crosses my mind that maybe this guy could be the full package I’ve been waiting for.
It’s nice to enjoy a conversation with a guy without instantly diving into the physical side of things. I’ve always based my firstjudgement on men on my physical attraction to them, only to later find out just how shitty they really are. It wasn’t just Miles, either. He was just the most significant. It seems as if every guy I judged based on looks and every relationship I started as a result has blown up in my face.
Maybe this time will be different. Maybe, since I’m getting to know him without seeing him first, I’ll actually be able to build something real.
When I wake up the next morning, there’s still a bit of a smile on my face and I’m in an exceptionally good mood. Checking my phone, I see that it’s still early… not even seven yet. Woah. This is new for me. I’m such a night owl, I don’t typically wake up until after nine in the morning.
I don’t feel tired at all, though. In fact, I’m well rested and eager to get started with my day. Is this how regular people feel all the time? It’s crazy.
Gizmo is still curled up in my blankets and doesn’t seem nearly so eager to get his day going, so I leave him and quietly make my way out of the bedroom in my sleep shirt and boxer shorts. I need coffee - I’m rested and happy, but I’m still not a morning person and must get caffeine inside me immediately.
Making my way down the hall, I note that it’s dead quiet, and when I step out into the open, I spot Zander still asleep on the couch. Curiosity has me creeping closer to him on my tiptoes so I can get a closer look at him. Even in sleep, his face is all sharp angles beneath his beard. He has long eyelashes that any beauty guru would envy, and his lips are parted and look soft.
Fuck! What’s wrong with me! I shouldn’t be staring at him while he sleeps, and I definitely shouldn’t be thinking about how tasty his mouth looks.
Turning away, I hurry into the kitchen and start making coffee, doing my best to be quiet so that I don’t wake him up. Once the coffee pot is full, I pull a mug out of the cupboard and then hesitate before pulling a second one out as well. The guy made me breakfast, after all. The least I can do is pour him a cup of coffee.
When I glance back over at him, my heart leaps into my throat and I let out a startled yelp.
He’s awake, sitting up, and watching me.
“Holy shit!” I gasp. “How long have you been staring at me, weirdo?”
He doesn’t say anything, just shrugs.
I arch a brow. “Okaaaaay… looks like you need coffee more than I do. How do you like it?”
“Black.”
Easy enough. I pour him a cup and take it to him, setting it down on the coffee table in front of him.
“Um… thanks,” he says. He reaches for it and I watch the muscles in his arms shift beneath his skin. It’s suddenly so fucking hot in here.
No! Don’t forget what he is. What he did.
He meets my gaze and I gulp. We stare at each other for several moments, and just when I reach the point where I can’t stand the heavy silence anymore, my phone buzzes.
Oh, thank God! It’s Mom. A phone call I’m willing to answer!
“Sorry,” I murmur, digging it out of the pocket of my shorts and turning to scurry down the hall and back to my room. Once I shut the door behind me, I take the call. “Hey, Mom!”
“Hey, sweetheart,” she replies in a singsong voice. Unlike me, Mom is a morning person. “I didn’t wake you, did I?”
“Nope. For once, I was already up.”
“Miracle of miracles,” she teases. “So, how are things going? Have you started your work on the articles yet?”
I give her a play-by-play of my time in Denver so far - though I leave out the fact that I got shitfaced the other night, or that I’m being forced to share an apartment with a cunnilingus master - focusing on my work and time with the girls.
“That sounds wonderful!” Mom exclaims. “I’m glad you’re having a good time so far.”
“Me too.” My voice is a bit tight, but I push through. “What’s new with you?”
She hesitates a moment before answering, “Well, I heard from your brother yesterday.”
