“It’s because of this morning that I’m suggesting it.”
“You’re going to have to explain this to me, because I thought we had a great night and great morning.” His voice dropped an octave, making her belly quiver.
“I’m not questioning the sex.” She dropped her voice to a low whisper. “It’s when I asked for a shower. Your reaction led me to believe you weren’t ready for that step, so I thought if we held off spending the night together, then there wouldn’t be that awkward moment, like this morning, when I asked for a shower.”
Heath reached across the table and took her hands in his that had been fidgeting with her mug. He interlaced their fingers and gave them a squeeze. “I’m sorry I made you feel that way, and it wasn’t my intention. I just haven’t shared my space like that with another woman-”
“Since Nadine.” Olivia finished for him.
Heath nodded, a solemn look in his eyes.
“That’s why I suggested we hold off on spending the night together. This is new for the both of us. We can take our time.”
“I liked having you there in the morning with me.”
“As did I, but I don’t want to rush anything.”
“We’ll take our time.” Heath agreed. “But I don’t want to take sleep overs off the table. I liked waking up with you next to me. Your floral scent on my pillow and sheets. For the first time, my condo feels more than just a place to rest my head.”
Olivia felt her heart melt into a puddle. Could the man say anything sweeter? If she didn’t love him before, she just fell head over in heels now. “I have to confess. I haven’t slept as well as I did last night in months.” She had felt safe cocooned in Heath’s arms. Olivia knew he would protect her from any danger.
“I didn’t allow you to sleep that much.” He chuckled with a twinkle in his eyes.
It was because she loved him so much that it was time to tell Heath the truth.The whole truth.She had wanted to put this off until later, but now seemed a good as time as any to tell Heath about Royce. The sooner the better. Withholding knowledge of Ivy from him, back fired miserably, and she wasn’t about to make that mistake again. “I’m not talking about the hours of sleep. It was the quality of sleep. You make me feel safe, like I don’t always have to be on guard. That I can finally relax, because someone has my back.”
“You do.” He assured her. “I do. The team does, and the women do.”
“Which is why I have to tell you something.”
“That doesn’t sound good.”
“It’s not.” Olivia pulled her hands away, but Heath didn’t let her get far, before snatching them back and held them tight.
“Whatever it is, we’ll deal with it. Tell me. No more running.”
Once you run, you’ll never stop.
She promised Ivy they were done running. It was time to start living, and admitting this last secret, would finally shake the past free from her. She wouldn’t have to look over her shoulder all the time. “It’s about where I lived, before coming here.”
“Okay,” Heath waited patiently, as she tried to get her thoughts in order.
“Good morning,” Cora said brightly, sliding into the seat next to her. Olivia jumped startled she hadn’t seen her approach, as she had been intent of trying to tell Heath about her and Royce.
“Cora, could you give us a moment?” Heath said, staring at Olivia.
“What’s with the sourpuss face? I figured after last night—”
“Cora,” Heath barked finally glancing at her. “Olivia is trying to tell me something, and you just interrupted. Now, would you please give us a moment to talk?”
Cora rolled her eyes, uncaring the hard edge in Heath’s tone. “Geez, keep your hair on. I just wanted to see how last night went.”
Olivia rushed out of the booth, when Cora stood. “Stay, Cora. I need a moment anyway.”
“Liv, wait.” Heath shouted after her, but she was already moving. She needed to get herself back under control. She lost her nerve with Cora’s arrival.
Reaching the bathroom, Olivia turned the tap to cold water and splashed her face a few times. She glanced at herself in the mirror and almost didn’t recognize herself. The shadows under her eyes were gone. Her skin didn’t look pale and drawn, but smooth and tan. Her eyes didn’t look hard and tired but happy. It’s amazing what love and happiness did to a person.
She could do this. Now that she started telling Heath, he would expect her to finish, and with Cora’s arrival, she was sure his other friends weren’t far behind. Well, they were her friends now, too.
