27
I’m tucked in comfortably in Noah’s arms, the best place to be. It’s Saturday morning and we’re both enjoying a long sleep-in. Although I suspect he enjoys long sleep-ins every morning, the perks of being self-employed.
“Tell me about your parents again,” I ask, wanting to know more about him. “And your whole family.”
He shifts, and I reluctantly lift my head.
“I told you before,” he says, a hint of irritation lacing his words. “My dad died of a heart attack five years ago, and my mom’s well, hanging with her girlfriends. She was going out with a silver fox but that’s all over now.”
I smile. “What does she look like? What’s her name?”
“She’s very beautiful. Always has been.”
I laugh. “Of course you would say that. Boys and their mothers.”
“What’s her name?” I ask again.
He rakes a hand through my hair, and I revel in the sensation. “Alice.”
“What were your parents’ names?” he asks, boomeranging the conversation back to me.
“Melissa and Robert. But everyone called my dad Robbie,” I clarify. “We should go to see your mother one time,” I suggest. “I’d love to meet her.”
He clears his throat. “Yeah, maybe… one day. I’ve got a lot going on these days though. And she’s in Florida right now.”
“Even better… let’s go visit her in Florida.”
He keeps playing with my hair, and I enjoy the warmth of his naked body against mine. The night before was amazing; slow love. At first, we were fast and furious, but as the days went on, the more we made love, the sex became slower, more intimate. He gazed at me with the most intense expression. He opened his mouth to say something, but then he tore his gaze away and pressed his mouth against my neck.
What did you want to tell me?
“Have you ever loved someone?” he asks, changing the subject. “I mean… truly loved? Romantic love…”
My mind is instantly full of Gavin. I don’t know if I want to talk about him.
“Have you?” he asks again.
“Yes…” I finally confess.
“Your ex-husband?”
I bite my lip. “No… surprisingly not. Daniel and I were best friends, partners in crime, but I never truly loved him the way he deserved to be loved.” My heart is in my throat. I’m not sure if I’ve ever admitted this to anyone, least of all myself. “He went and looked for love somewhere else, and I’m not sure I can blame him.”
“Then who was it?” Noah asks, eager.
“His name was Gavin,” I tell him. “He was an older man I fell deeply in love with when I was younger.”
“Tell me about him,” he says with no hint of jealousy.
“He was misunderstood. A quiet loner. A bit of a crank. But he had the biggest heart I’ve ever seen. He cared about me, more than anyone ever had before.”
He trails slow soft circles on my arm. “Was he hot?” he teases. “Hotter than me?”
I laugh. “No, you are both equally hot, in different ways. He was rough around the edges, the strong silent type.”
“And what am I?”
“You’re a pretty boy, the strong not-so-silent type. A real charmer.” I turn to face him, and he bends down to kiss me. I stroke his five o’clock shadow and gaze into his baby blues before my lips press against his.
