Because the night is young and the clock hasn't struck midnight.
And I'm going to fuck this man or make love to this guy or whatever you want to call it. We don’t need a label tonight. Tonight, we are just going to give in to what we want.
That's my only birthday wish.
8
ANCHOR
In the morning,I roll over and find the other side of the bed empty. Lemon’s left. I find a note in the kitchen.
Anchor,
Thank you for the best birthday eve of my life.
I had to go home and shower. Something you didn't know about me—I'm a very early riser. Turns out you like to sleep in and snore. ;)
Coffee on the patio when you wake?
Xo, L
I adjustmy aching morning hard-on, unable—and not wanting—to wipe the grin off my face. Opening my fridge, I'm happy to find a bottle of prosecco and a jug of orange juice. I reach for two champagne flutes, adding the items to a basket I'm planning to carry on over to Lemon’s. Remembering a package of croissants I bought a few days ago, I add them to the basket.
I want her to know last night was not a one-time thing. I'm not that kind of guy.
I have a feeling she's not that kind of girl.
The connection we felt is nothing short of incredible. Life changing. And god, I can’t wait to see her.
I jog back up the stairs, pulling on a pair of grey sweats and reaching for a hoodie.
I pull open my sliding glass door. When I step outside, the morning air is crisp. The lake before us is pristine, smooth, and the sun is high in the sky, the sky blue above, and I know it's gonna be a good fucking day.
“Hey sleepyhead,” Lemon calls over to me. She is next door, on her back porch.
She has a coffee mug in her hand and she's wearing a bathrobe. Her hair is half dried and there's not a stitch of makeup on her face. She looks gorgeous, bright-eyed and alive. I want to wrap my arms around her like I've never wanted anything.
I tell myself to walk toward her cool, calm, and collected, but by the time I reach her I can't resist planting a kiss on those perfect lips of hers. “Happy birthday, Lemon Rough. I brought the champagne.”
“Ooh, wow. Lucky me. But if I remember correctly, you wished me a happy birthday last night.”
“I want to say it all day.Happy birthday,” I repeat.
She smiles up at me. “Do you want coffee to go with the champagne?”
“Sounds good,” I tell her.
“What do you take with your morning coffee?'' she asks over her shoulder as I follow her into her family lake house.
I've never stepped foot in here and I'm curious what a lake house for a family her size looks like. Mine is modern and sleek.
The moment I step foot in this place, I feel like I’m home. This lake house is nothing but comfort. Cozy, familiar. Which is saying something considering it's my first time here.
“I don't take anything with my morning coffee. I'm not particular about too much.”
She smiles. “I take my coffee black too. Look at us, we're so easygoing.”
“Is that what everyone would say about you?” I ask.