She fits perfectly into the crook of my arm, like she’s been made for this space. Her body contours to mine, like a puzzle piece falling into place.
And as we lay together, I’m struck with a sense of being complete. This woman was put on earth for me to find.
Now I just need her to see it too.
Because I’ve decided. I’m never letting her go.
Blinking my eyes open, I’m struck by a weight against my side. Looking down, Gil is still tucked in the same place she was when we fell asleep.
I watch her for a moment, studying her face, her features, the little things that make her so beautiful. Her nose bumps up a little at the end, her cheeks are covered in really tiny freckles I had never noticed before. Her lips are twitching in her sleep, popping up into a slight grin and folding down with her brows as if she’s thinking really hard.
Running one finger around the frame of her face, I softly touch her chin, moving to the shell of her ear and feathering over her brows. I don’t want to wake her. I could lay here all day like this and just study her.
She slowly opens her eyes, and I smile. “Good morning,” I say, brushing loose strands of hair off her forehead and out of her face.
Gillian smiles back, her eyes bright, squinting slightly as she yawns. “Good morning.”
“Did you sleep well?”
She nods. “The best I’ve slept in years actually.” Rolling to her back, she pushes herself up. “Have you been up long?”
“Long enough to know you make cute faces in your sleep.” Chuckling, I push myself up too, and run a hand through my hair.
“Stop it!” she laughs, hitting me lightly on my chest. “Do I really?”
“Yeah. You must have been dreaming about something.”
“Well, I don’t remember, if I was.” She giggles as she stretches her arms up high. “What time is it?”
Swinging my feet over the edge of the bed, I check the time. “Almost seven thirty. We should probably head back.”
“Yeah, that sounds good.” She climbs out of bed and gets fresh clothes from her suitcase. “So, how is this going to work exactly?” she asks as she slips into her clothes.
“What do you mean?”
“Like, you weren’t expecting us to live together now, were you? I mean, I’m just checking to make sure I understand the plan. We’re going to go about our lives like this never happened, right?”
I want to live together. We should live together, but not because we have to, because we want to. . . At least, I want to.
“We’ll figure it out later. I’ll talk to Eddie and see what the lawyer thinks.” I don’t tell her what I’m really thinking. I’m still trying to figure out how she truly feels about me.
One second I feel like we’re on the same page, and the next she seems cold, like there’s literally nothing between us.
Gillian nods as she heads into the bathroom gets ready to leave. She doesn’t notice me, but I watch her. I sneak peeks through the half open bathroom door as she’s brushing her hair. Hell, I even watch her as she brushes her teeth and think it’s completely adorable. When she closes the door and I hear the shower turn on, I’m disappointed. And instantly hard. Thinking of her undressing, getting under the hot water. When the water runs down her body, will she smell me and our sex from last night in the steam? When she washes between her legs will she remember me fucking her last night? When she gets out of the shower just wrapped in a small hotel towel, she brings her clothes back into the bathroom to dress. It’s agonizing watching her walk away. Knowing how her skin would feel under my fingertips. Knowing just how pretty and pink her nipples are. I shake my head and will my erection to go away. We have a long drive in front of us and I don’t need this particular distraction right now. I busy myself by bringing our bags down to the car, and I stop in the little shop to buy a few snacks and waters for the drive.
We make the long seven hour drive back to California, and I’m happy that we are able to fill most of the time in conversation. We have plenty to talk about and I really love making her laugh. She’s tells me some crazy stories about growing up in a house with six brothers, and even tells me some gossip about athletes we both know. She’s super careful to stay professional, and nothing she says is inappropriate, but still, it makes me realize just how small the professional athlete community is and how news gets around quickly.
She’s impressive in so many ways, and it only makes me like her that much more. She loves sports, knows how to throw a football, and even can change her own oil and brakes on her car. She doesn’t need help from anyone and is willing to fall hard to get what she wants. The hours fly by and we finally arrive back in Tahoe.
“I’m right up here on the left. See? The long driveway with the red mailbox.” Pointing her finger out in front, she shows me where her house is.
Turning up her driveway, I pull in and park outside her house. It’s a nice house, an A-frame, sitting right on Silver Lake.
“Holy shit, Gil, this is your place?”
“Yeah,” she says casually. “Why?”
“I don’t know, it just seems—”
“Too expensive for a physical therapist?” I half smile and shrug, causing her to laugh out loud. “My grandfather owned the land for years. When he passed, he left it to me. It took some time, but I saved and built this house. Sometimes being cheap is a good thing.” She winks and hops out of the car with her bag.
“Here,” I call out, jumping from my seat, “let me walk you to your door.”
“I’m a big girl, Ryon. You don’t have to do that.”
“I know, but I want to.”
“Suit yourself.” She flashes me a smile and turns to walk to her door.
Stopping on the front step, she pulls out her key, unlocks the door, and holds her bag at her waist by the handle. I’m in front of her, and to be honest, I don’t want to say goodbye. I want this, whatever this feeling is between us, to just stay right here.
It feels too good. Too real. Too incredible not to have all the time.
Leaning in, I give her a delicate kiss on her lips. Her eyes soften and her body leans into mine, giving me a kiss of her own. Our mouths are so close, but not touching as we stare into each other’s eyes.
I can’t. I can’t let her go like this.
Grabbing her around the waist, I press my lips against hers and kiss her. Her hands instantly drop the bag to the ground and she drives them into my hair. Her tongue is warm as it slips into my mouth and she tastes like apples.
Our kiss goes from delicate to feverish in seconds. Her nails rake across my scalp, moving across my shoulders and then to the middle of my back. Taking a firm step forward, I force her back against the door, and start to slide my hands under her shirt.
“Wait, wait, wait,” she says, stopping my hands and pushing them down. “Not here,” her eyes glance toward the tree line. “My neighbors are nosy. Let’s go inside.”
Swooping her off her feet, I carry her in my arms. “Over the threshold we go,” I say as I step inside and kick the door shut behind me. Glancing around, I take a step forward and then stop.
“What’s wrong?” she asks nervously.