I leaned back and put my arms behind my head, desperate to enjoy this bliss a little longer. To pull her into my arms and demand she be mine forever.
But we needed boundaries, and Celine needed time. And I was hardly in a position to complain. She’d spent the day here with my family and then she’d snuck into my bed.
She opened her mouth to speak and then paused. “Wait a second.” She held the comforter up to her face and took a sniff.
I was seized by panic. I’d just changed these sheets.
“Last time I was up here, the sheet smelled like lavender,” she said suspiciously. “Did you change detergent?”
I pretended not to understand. She reached for a pillow, pulling it up to her face. “Yes. This is different.”
“I got new stuff,” I said nonchalantly.
She pinned me with a glare. “This isn’t new stuff. This”—she took another sniff—“is unscented organic detergent. I know it because I use it.”
I nodded, feeling even more naked than I had a few minutes ago.
“I noticed,” I said slowly, “that you used it. And I did some googling and thought that harsh detergent smells may be tough for Julian.”
Her eyes widened. “You did?”
“Yeah.” I ran my hand through my hair, trying not to feel like a stalker. “Got it online. Not a big deal. I thought maybe, um…” I trailed off. “That if you guys ever came over to hang out, I didn’t want him to have to deal with any challenging smells.”
She looked at me, blinking a few times. “Not a big deal,” she muttered to herself. “Why are you single?” she asked suddenly, poking me in the chest with one finger.
I laughed. “Because I’ve been waiting for you.”
She only glared.
“Just because it’s cheesy doesn’t mean it isn’t true.” I pulled her down for a kiss.
“I’m serious,” she said, snuggling into my side. “How are you still single? Sure, your lectures about sap lines and the Brix scale are kind of boring, but?—”
I squeezed her ass, making her squeal.
“I’m bad at small talk.”
“Nope. Not buying it. You’re kind. You’re steady. You show up. You’ve got a great dick. And yet you’re still single. It’s statistically unlikely.”
I closed my eyes. This woman. “Maybe I’m doing it on purpose?”
“Why on earth would you deprive the female population of your charms?”
She was teasing. I could continue teasing back, hoping we moved on to another topic quickly. Or I could deflect.
But neither felt right. Maybe it was the post orgasmic glow or having the woman of my dreams in my arms, but my defense mechanisms were nowhere to be found.
I wanted Celine to know me.
“I was engaged,” I said.
Her eyes widened and the hand she’d been dragging over my pecs stopped.
“Four years ago.”
She nodded. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. It wasn’t a good relationship. And everyone involved is better off now.”
