He ogles his eyes at me. “Don’t challenge me.”
Keats doesn’t need to. Still, I should probably bring reason. “We’ve established what we are and that we will take it one step at a time.” Keeping a straight face, internally I believe I’m already three steps ahead. He kisses me again, and I feel his cock between us. “Really? Another round?”
He’s amused as he places me back on my feet and guides me to ensure I’m fully under the water again. “Nah, I’ll let you rest.”
“Phew, I enjoy just lying in bed with you and staring at each other,” I say as I grab the shampoo bottle.
Keats grows quiet, and I glance over my shoulder as he watches me with fondness. “I kind of like the way we got here. To this point, I mean. You think we’ll build from this?”
Be still my heart. This man is head over heels in love with me.
“It will only get better,” I promise.
24
KEATS
Esme seems content as we sit inside Foxy Rox for a bite to eat. It’s the weekend and Esme just got back from Chicago where she spent the night there for a girls’ evening. Last night, I missed our routine of me on my laptop for an hour or two of work while Esme goes a little crazy on the cleaning and house organization front, something I’ve learned during the last six weeks that she loves to do. We both end up in bed defeated and watch a movie before we have sex every day.
Now, I’m watching her smile as she watches people through the window walk by on Main Street. “Hailey is lucky. The bridesmaid dress for Liam’s wedding that she had to try on last night is elegant. She’s been spared horrendous dresses.” My lips press together, and I only nod. “Anyway, Hailey mentioned that she heard on the Everhope grapevine that there might be a new restaurant opening down on the river. Family-style eating with specialty corn bread. I guess that appeases the older crowd and the young families popping up in Everhope.”
I’ve only heard half her words because I’m anticipatingthis afternoon. The conversation that’s been a long time coming.
She does a double take when she must notice that I’m caught in a daze. “What’s up with you? You’ve been quiet, and they have Babka on the menu today. Even you can’t pass up the twist of chocolate dough.”
The corner of my mouth tugs. “Sorry, just lost in thought.”
Her lips wrap around the straw of her drink, and to my surprise, she doesn’t dig for answers. “It’s great that the builders are putting in a little extra time on the weekends to move along my house. I should really start to order furniture.”
I don’t need that reminder. “Right.” My T is sharp.
It causes her to chortle a laugh. “Just focus on your onion bagel with egg salad. I’m very familiar with what’s brewing in your head.”
“What might that be?” I ask before I take a bite of my lunch.
“The living situation. I mean, I know it will be odd going back and forth or deciding whose bedroom to sleep in every night, but… it is what it is.” Such a liar she is.
We’ve only briefly discussed the several options of what to do. Sell, rent, live separately. I’m positive of what she wants, but to my surprise, she seems shy to admit her wish.
I’ll just decide for her. Informing her of our fate will not be discussed in the town coffee joint where the new kindergarten teacher is getting hit on by the firefighter and a two-year-old just threw a muffin.
Our serious relationship move calls for my ability to impress and us alone in private.
“Esme, relax. Just enjoy your blueberry bagel with strawberry cream cheese and don’t tell me that it meets your dailyfruit intake.” I give her a knowing look while her mouth is stuffed with food.
“Fair enough. I forgot that my boyfriend only deals with serious matters behind closed doors, or rather places that make it easy for him to fuck me into agreement.” It sounds muffled as she’s still chewing, but I understand enough.
I grin as I scan the place and venture a glance through the window for the view. A few months ago, I would have said that grabbing lunch at the quaint coffee spot, with a stop at the grocery store on the way home while discussing if we should throw in a load of laundry, was my idea of hell.
Not anymore.
Esme makes it fun, and I don’t use that word lightly.
“We received the details for the hotel room for Liam’s wedding. I’ll book the tickets to Colorado once your assistant confirms with you what time you can get away for the flight. It will be off-season for the Spinners; do you think we can add an extra day or two to the trip?”
Point proven. We are in joint calendar planning. A serious relationship step.
“I don’t see why not.” I shrug.
