Laying my head on his chest, I savor the heat of him beneath me—the hard stability. Bryce holds me against him, hand massaging my scalp. And we rest together, completely comfortable.
I’m not sure how long it’s been when we start to move together. Slow, languorous, and completely in sync. It’s a different kind of need that rises inside me. Slow and together, and it stays that way. We move together in a steady build, aching pleasure filling and expanding.
I love the way he kisses me, slowly and deeply. And when we come, we come together.
I fall asleep, cradled in his arms.
8
I come to consciousness slowly. In little bits and pieces, like becoming aware of the fact that Bryce’s arms are around me. His chest is pressed against my back, hand draped over my hip, and I can feel the steady movement of his breath.
The first thing I do is think. How do I feel? I was in some sort of frenzy last night, and I wouldn’t exactly think that it was a good thing. Except I feel stable. Calm and content. Everything that happened feels too enormous for me to process, and yet it was perfect.
And now, more than ever, we need to talk. Because I can’t do this if it’s just going to end the way it started: quickly and brilliantly
Slowly, I turn over in the circle of his arms and face him. I stretch on the way, savoring and evaluating the delicious soreness that is the aftermath of everything he did to me—or everything that we did together.
I like watching him sleep. It’s a different way than I’ve seen him. Sure, I’ve seen him asleep, but it’s different being this close. Seeing his tiny movements. He has the same beautiful face, but smoothed out. None of the worries, concerns, or even joys of waking life are bothering him. I imagine this is how he would look if he was being painted by some Renaissance master.
I can’t help myself. I reach out and gently stroke the lines of his face. He’s so beautiful. I’ve always thought so. And now he’s mine. He wants me. If there’s one thing that last night showed me, is that I’m not dreaming. This is real.
After a few moments, Bryce’s breathing changes and he opens his eyes to mine. There’s no transition between sleep and wakefulness, and he doesn’t look drowsy. He’s simply there.
“Good morning,” he says. His voice is deep with sleep, and that resonance that I love so much is even richer now.
“Good morning,” I say.
Bryce draws his hand up my back, coming to rest it behind my neck as he pulls in to kiss me. “How are you feeling this morning?”
A flush rises and paints my skin, because of everything. I tuck my head under his chin and breathe in his scent. Warm, masculine, and mine. “I’m good,” I say. “Really good.”
“Are you sure?” he asks.
I nod. “I promise. But I have something that I need to ask you.”
He pulls back so that he can see my eyes, and the look on his face is entirely open and genuine. I have no doubt that he’s in the same place that I am. At least in this moment.
“You can ask me anything, Katti,” he says. “Absolutely anything.”
I take a breath, and try to find the right words. “I know that we’re in this together, and that we’ve both wanted this for a long time. But I can’t do this if I don’t know where you’re at, or where you’re thinking this is going.
“In any other relationship, I’d say that two days is too fast to ask that question. But this is us, and it’s too complicated for us not to think about it.
“If this is just going to be something quick and simple, or something to satisfy the urge you had, then I can’t. It’s…more to me than that. I’m not saying that I need some kind of deep commitment from you—or anything like that. But I can’t let myself go any deeper if I think that it’s just going to disappear.”
“Let me make myself clear, Katti,” he says. “This was never going to be something casual for me. The thought never entered my head. Yes, I have wanted you for a long time. And yes, this is new and happened quickly. But don’t ever doubt how seriously I want you.
“I wish there was a way to tell you how much you mean to me in a way that you would believe. Because I know what I feel, and I know what I want. And when I tell you, I don’t want there to be any hesitation, and I want you to be ready.
“I am here, and we are in this together. Do you believe me?”
I nod, because I absolutely do believe him. The conviction in his voice tells me that it’s the truth. The tears that spring to my eyes surprise me, but I can’t help them.