Sophie squirms between Holden and me, mumbling something in her sleep that I don’t catch. I’m sure she’s going to be sore tomorrow. Three rounds of taking us over and over again. Even if she’s not sore, she’s going to be exhausted. It’s almost four a.m.
Holden pulls her damp hair from her face. He got to shower with her and take care of her after all the sex. Her hand brushes my chest and I wonder if she can feel how loudly my heart is beating. It fills my ears whenever she’s around.
“You like the present?” I ask Holden, trying to get myself back under control.
He smiles sleepily. “I do. Did you guys give her any hints?”
I shake my head. “Nope.”
Gunner and Nick went to bed, trying to at least pretend to be responsible adults. Holden kisses the back of Sophie’s head and she shifts again, pushing into him as he spoons her. “She’s something else.”
“She has to be to handle all of us. We wouldn’t love her if she wasn’t special.” I hold her hand over my chest.
“What’s been up with you? Other than being in your head?”
“I feel like we’re waiting for shit to hit the fan or to take the next step forward with Sophie.”
“I’m happy with how things are.” He shrugs. “Are you?”
I stroke over her fingers. I’m afraid to say too much. “For now.”
“But you’re jumping ahead.” Holden sighs. “I get that. Just because I’m not interested in the relationship benchmarks doesn’t mean you aren’t.”
“But it can wait. I’m happy to wait. As long as we’re all happy and doing well, there’s no reason to change anything.” I say, trying to convince myself.
There are so many reasons to wait to even pose the question to marry Sophie. I could wait another year. We should travel, settle into home life, take our time getting where we want to be. It hasn’t even been one year since we started with her.
She exhales and my eyes go to her relaxed face. So peaceful, so unbothered and unworried. God, she’s an angel. I brush her hair back from her face. I can’t wait for the party, for her friend to arrive and see her light up.
I try not to think about work while I’m here until sleep takes me. I manage to get a little sleep, but I’m exhausted when I wake up. Sophie turns in Holden’s arms as they sleep. I gently pat her bottom as I get up and get ready.
She deserves to stay home today. She has plenty to do before her friend shows up. I kiss her forehead before I leave and she opens her eyes and gives me a sleepy smile. “Hi.”
“Work from home today, Bambina. Have a good day.”
“Are you sure?” She asks, despite not moving. “I can … I can work.”
“I know. Stay home.” I insist.
I get through the day, despite some frustration from Carl. He wants to come to town to check some things out as if we need his permission to market and take care of things. I manage to talk him back down, deal with his insistences, then I have to deal with a few other surprises.
Sophie helps manage my emails and meetings and I rub my forehead when I see that it’s already eight p.m. How have I gotten through an eleven hour day without noticing? I’m losing my life to this job.
I slug my way home and open the door to see Sophie talking animatedly with a girl who has blue and black hair. Sophie jumps up when she notices me and holds up a finger. She hops into my arms and hugs me tightly.
I cling to her, burying my face in her neck. I breathe her in, surviving on her warmth and her perfume. She sighs. “You’re so late, Roman.”
“I know, Bambina. I lost track of time. I’m so sorry.” I murmur, squeezing her.
“Long days are no fun.” She rubs my shoulders, then up my neck and into my hair. “Are you okay?”
“I’ll survive.” I set her down, letting her slide down my body.
I feel recharged after just that hug. “Have you had dinner, Sophia?”
“We got a snack on the way back from the airport and we’re about to go out.” She motions over her shoulder. “Roman, this is Valerie. My best friend from college. She lives in D.C. now.”
Valerie comes over and offers me her hand with an easy smile. No trace of flirting. Her dark eyes drink me in, but her full lips part in a smile. “Hi. Good to finally meet you.”