I don’t think I’ve ever realized before how, to have an orgasm, you have to let go of all your fears and inhibitions. It’s such a vulnerable act, so much more than a physical release. I think of how he took his time to arouse me, how he made sure I was lubricated, how he worked hard to make sure I enjoyed it.
You don’t believe in soul mates?
Are you saying… you think… I’m yours?
Yeah.
When he said it, he sounded amused, as if he was thinking, ofcoursewe’re soul mates.
It’s an amazing thought… and it’s also shocking and incredibly scary. Because the ability that someone has to hurt us is unfortunately proportional to how much we open ourselves tothem. Cory broke my heart, and I didn’t feel a fraction of the affection for him that I feel for Marcus right now.
“I love you,” Marcus says, and he kisses my hair. “It’s okay, you don’t have to say it back.”
I lie there in the sunshine and stare out at the beautiful view as my eyes mist over.
Chapter Seventeen
Marcus
Slowly, I open my eyes.
I’m lying in bed, facing the window. When I put out a hand, I discover I’m alone.
I’ve worked fourteen-hour days in the lead-up to the wedding. The big day itself was exhausting. There’s also been all the emotional strain, and the drive to the farm. And then, arguably, the best sex of my life with the woman I love. So I’m not surprised I dozed off.
My phone’s on the bedside table, and I lean across and check the time. It’s close to six.
I look out at the garden, and only then do I see Wren, walking along the stepping stones that lead to the pagoda at the bottom. She’s taking her time and bends to smell the roses that grow beside the path. She’s wearing a loose, cream summer dress that reaches her calves. The sun is behind her, and I bet she doesn’t realize the dress is completely transparent and reveals her beautiful figure in all its glory.
Lying back down, I watch her mount the steps of the pagoda and sit on the bench, looking out at the view.
I know she felt emotional after we had sex. I did too; men just don’t tend to show it, that’s all. I think she was overwhelmed, maybe even shocked by the intensity of our lovemaking.
My lips curve up, just a little.
Rolling over, I get up, find a clean pair of boxers, some track pants, and a tee and pull them all on, then go out to the kitchen. I stir the slow cooker and try a piece of the beef, which breaks apart with a fork, and start cutting up the loaf that Ruthmade this morning. I’m just buttering it thickly with Lurpak when Wren comes back in.
“Oh,” she says. “Hello.”
“Hey.” I put down the knife and go over to meet her where she’s paused by the sliding doors. She smiles, but her eyes are a little red. Suddenly, I’m not sure what to do. I want to hug her, but she left our bed, and I’m not sure she’ll welcome it.
To my surprise, though, she walks up to me, slides her arms around my waist, and rests her cheek on my chest.
Pleased, I put my arms around her and give her a cuddle. “Hello, gorgeous. Is it warm out there?”
“Very. I need to get myself a hat.”
“Yes, one of those big-brimmed ones. We’ll go shopping tomorrow.”
She chuckles. Then she rests her lips on my neck and inhales. “You smell nice.”
“Why thank you. So do you.”
She moves back a little, looks up at me, and says shyly, “Thank you. For taking your time with me.”
I cup her face and stroke her cheeks with my thumbs. “Of course. We’re in no rush. We have all week to get to know one another.”
She rests her hand on her stomach. “I keep thinking that it might already have happened.”
