Her muffled whisper made me laugh, returning the rumble as her body shook with mine. “Let’s just agree that this is the new normal,” I said.
She looked up, chin resting on my sternum, eyes large and round and cute with sleep.
I smirked. “Did you sleep well?”
She was assessing my face, but nodded.
“Me too, so I don’t see a reason to stop. Do you?”
She shook her head.
“Good. Then it’s settled. We are two perfectly comfortable and consenting adults. We get to decide what feels right—and I don’t know about you, but this feels pretty damn good.”
There was a glimpse of a smile on her coral lips before she tried to look away, but I stopped her, my hand catching her chin. I brought her clear blue gaze back to mine, letting it hold there. My fingers brushed back past her ear, threading into her long hair and cradling the back of her head, tugging gently at the roots of her hair.
I wondered how she felt about seeing her world in black and white. So many things were suddenly obvious—her black and white dog, her black and white wardrobe. It made sense that she’d leave color out of her life. I wanted to know if it bothered her, but my questions would have to wait.
Testing her boundaries, I placed my other hand on the small of her back, fingers skimming just under the hem of her sweatshirt, touching bare skin. She didn’t flinch, didn’t even blink. I let my thumb move up and down her spine in a small, soothing gesture. Still, she challenged my steady gaze.
With one hand in her hair and the other on her back, I rolledus sideways. She squealed. Bill jumped up, escaping the bed. I hovered over her on my elbows, my hips now pressed into the mattress between her legs.
She pressed her core up into my stomach, a subtle but bold move. It’s as if she was testing the waters, seeking friction with hesitant pressure, or maybe just acting on a whim.
She was bold.
Her cheeks flamed, eyes on mine. Lifting my hand from the pillow, I let my thumb brush down the bridge of her nose. Her eyes fluttered closed. My thumb continued to her lips, tracing them. They softened, then parted, her breath escaping.
There was no stopping what I did next, no stopping her when I dropped my thumb and our lips met. She accepted the kiss with ready enthusiasm; it took me off guard for a moment. Her inexperience wasn’t hindering the impact, but heightening it. I fit my lips to hers, guiding her as she followed my lead. When her mouth relaxed, and I traced the line of her lips with my tongue, she opened for me.
I teased my tongue against hers, a sensual dance as she mirrored the motion. A little moan escaped. My breath hitched, consumed by the sudden, overwhelming intensity.
My core pushed into her, and her back arched. My hand tucked under her spine and pulled her against me. The room hummed with unspoken words of patience and understanding—and the channeled energy of the Montana Man.
Her hands latched onto my lower back, seeking purchase and slipping under the hem of my untucked shirt. They skated their way up my back, her nails digging in. My body rolled into her at the sting of pain, unable to help it.
She gasped when she felt my hardness against her. Her grip on my shoulder blades tightened, trying to bring herself closer as our breathing hit a crescendo. I knew I needed to stop, but it all felt so perfect.
With reluctance and a hearty dose of self-control, I pulled away. Her taste lingered on my swollen lips, and I wanted more of her, but this had to be enough for now or I’d never stop.
I forced myself to ignore the way she looked at me—half-hooded eyes wanting more. Her body rose and fell, her heartbeat against my chest like a hummingbird. Kissing her nose, I pushed myself up, forcing more distance between us.
“I’ll get us coffee,” I whispered, brushing my thumb across her cheek.
She blinked a few times, thoroughly dazed. “Coffee sounds good,” she whispered, breathless.
I kept my gaze on her, backing toward the door and adjusting my pants. I caught her smirking at the act and found it adorably confident of her to do so.
She was such a puzzle, so demure yet so eager at the same time. It was driving me crazy. Every inch of me begged to jump back into bed and see what else I could get away with. What other sounds and emotions could I coax from her?
Reaching the door, still ajar as I’d left it last night, I squeezed the cool metallic handle, whistling to Bill as he followed me out. I closed the door behind me, then shut my eyes and forced out a breath.
This was unbelievable, and I wanted so badly to savor every moment. Sybil was it for me, and the certainty of that was final.
CHAPTER 28
Sybil
If you’re familiar with the 1939Wizard of Oz, then you know the moment Dorothy lands in Munchkinland and her world suddenly comes alive with color—or so I’m told. That’s exactly what Tuesday morning felt like to me.
