Pulling back, I switch the setting back to a gentle rainfall and slide the shower head back into the holder on the wall. Bells looks at me with red cheeks and a crooked smile. I graba washcloth and wet it, pouring on a handful of soup before running it down her chest. I’ve never taken a shower with someone before, but I kind of assumed actually showering would be part of it. I turn the water up higher again, so it takes away some of our chill. Bells’s skin is soft but covered in goose bumps. I take my time running the washcloth over her entire body, and then she reaches for mine to do the same.
I can feel her hand through the washcloth as she caresses each part of my skin. It feels more intimate than I anticipate—definitely more than it has been in the past. With her or anyone else, for that matter. I know in this moment that I can’t keep quiet anymore. I don’t just want to hook up with her—I want to have more of her. I want to see the parts that not everyone gets to see. I want to know all the things that she only tells to some.
I also know it means I have to pop the bubble we’re living in and tell her how I feel. I’m sure we could continue on like this, like it’s nothing—that it’s just a hookup—but I can’t.
For too long I’ve lived my life with countless one-night stands, and that has always been enough. But suddenly, I want to have more with her. It isn’t just with anyone, and I’m sure if she doesn’t feel the same way, I’ll go back to my one-night stands. But with her, it makes me want to try being with her, for real.
“I think we should talk about this,” I say quietly, as I drop the washcloth I’m using into her hands.
She spins around to face me, her hair sticking to her wet face, water droplets dripping down her cheeks. I smile looking at her. She was so fucking beautiful.
“Okay, what are you thinking?” she asks softly.
“I don’t want to keep being your secret lay. I don’t want to keep hooking up with you. I think I want to be something real with you. Take you on datesandhook up with you,” I add to lighten the mood.
“I think I’d like that.” She smiles.
“You would?” I can’t hide my surprise.
“Yeah, I feel like there’s something here and we shouldn’t try to ignore that.”
“I didn’t know you felt that way,” I admit.
“I don’t think I was ready to admit it to myself.” She blushes.
Instead of saying anything more, I kiss her. One of those cliché romantic kisses where I pull her body into mine and we lose all sense of time. Her lips are soft and wet, our bodies still under the water running between us. I wrap my arms around her waist, and she twirls her fingers through my hair. We only pull back when the water starts to run cold. I step out first, grabbing a fresh towel from the closet and holding it open for her. She steps on the rug, dries off her legs and wraps it around herself. I follow her into the bedroom, after wrapping my towel around me.
“Do you have a big T-shirt or something I could borrow? Just to get home?” she asks.
“I probably do.” I walk to my closet and then I pause, turning around to face her. “What if you stayed?”
“Huh?”
“Why don’t you stay? Just go home in the morning or something,” I suggest.
“Oh, I mean, I guess so. Sure.” She nods.
“Here.” I grab her a Sapphire Orchards T-shirt that is way too big on me so would probably fit her.
“Do you think we could have something to eat? I’m sort of starving,” she admits shyly.
“Of course. I was going to make chicken cutlets for dinner, but if you prefer takeout, I’m happy to order something too,” I suggest.
“I love chicken cutlets.” She smiles. She slips the T-shirt over her head, and it fits her like a long T-shirt. Just covering herpussy and the tops of her thighs. I’m pretty sure if she bent over, I’d be able to see everything.
“Why don’t you come hang out in the kitchen with me while I cook and we can watch a movie or something while we eat?” I ask.
“That sounds great.” I throw on some clothes and follow her back downstairs.
TWENTY-TWO
Bells
“Wow, the pies look amazing!” Lina praises as Tilly and I unload them.
We set up the event in one of the empty field spaces with lots of folding tables and chairs, so all the participants have space. Everyone gets an apple pie, and whoever eats the fastest is going to win a $100 gift card to use at the orchard’s gift shop or Lina’s bakery.
“Why do you sound surprised?” Tilly asks.
