40. Chapter 39
Chapter 39
Jemima
A few hours later
“We need to live together,” Harvey announces as we jog along the sidewalk after our warm-up in the bedroom. He suggested we jog along the park so the view would distract me.
It’s only my first run, so I’ll take any guidance.
Since I’ve gotten stronger, physically and emotionally, I feel the shift in my life. I’ve paid off the debt that weighed me down, and for the first time in a while, I feel like I’m truly happy. Looking after myself feels less like a luxury and more like part of who I am now. I finally made the time for a hair appointment, the fresh color giving me a new boost in confidence, which has been slowly growing, from the inside out, and with every day that passes, I feel it growing stronger.
“We will have to do it slowly,” I puff out, trying to keep up. How is it that he sounds so normal while speaking, yet I can barely talk as we jog?
“We could start leaving things at each other’s places and have sleepovers,” he suggests.
I’m concentrating on putting one foot in front of the other, trying not to trip.
Chad has only recently started seeing us hold hands and kiss more often.
The sun beating down on my back isn’t helping my sweat situation, and his words are making it hard to breathe.
“I don’t know, we need a plan.” I gasp for air, finally giving up. I wave my hands in front of me and stop jogging. Walking with my hands on my hips, I suck in deep lungfuls of air.
“Why does it have to be so thought out?”
The tightness in my chest slowly eases. “I don’t want to make a mistake.”
“Chad hasn’t said anything?”
I shake my head, “No, but?”
“Has he acted out?”
“No, but?”
Harvey smirks. “No issues, then. Let’s not overthink it and just let things happen naturally.”
He stops walking and grabs me, kissing me in a way that makes it impossible to think about anything but how much I love kissing him.
“Unfair!” I moan.
“I know, I’m so cruel,” he teases before kissing me again.
When we pull apart, we walk the rest of the path. “Did you want to run home?” he asks.
“No, I’m done running.”
“Like, forever or just for now?” He smirks.
“I’m still debating.”
“What if I create a plan for running?” he suggests, glancing over at me.
“Like a program?” I raise an eyebrow.
“Yeah.” He nods. "You need structure and a goal. I think it might help.”
“Hmm," I say, considering. "Maybe we could aim for that city marathon?”
He searches my face. "Do you think that's a good idea? You usually need nine to twelve months for your first marathon.”
I shrug. “I need an end date.”
He laughs, shaking his head. “So, running isn’t going to be your new hobby?”
“No," I reply flatly, "I hate this.”
He grins. “What other hobbies could you try?”
“I don’t know," I sigh. "I’ll have to talk to my therapist.”
“I’ve offered some suggestions?”
“Not helping," I interrupt with a smirk. "I want to find something less painful.”
He chuckles, and we walk hand in hand back home. I can’t wait to shower.
“What about gym classes?” he asks as we near the door.
“I don’t think I can keep up,” I admit with a laugh.
“What about Pilates?”
“Maybe, but yoga might be better,” I say, trying to spit some ideas. I do want to continue to work on not just coping skills but strengthening my body.
“My brother's fiancée, Chelsea, owns a studio. I could ask if she does yoga.”
I haven’t met all of his family yet, but we decided to invite the whole family to Chad’s upcoming birthday. He’s excited about all the invites I sent out. I didn't want the stress of hosting and meeting Harvey’s family at the same time, so I organized it at Chad’s favorite play center.
“Yeah, that sounds good. Maybe she can give me some dirt on you.”
“You know all my secrets. Except that you’re uncommitted to wanting to marry me as soon as possible.”
My mouth opens and closes, but I’m speechless.
“Yeah, with you, buttercup, I couldn’t slow down. There’s something about our connection that makes me feel weak.”
“It’s the older woman thing,” I joke.
“Maturity and deep conversations are my love languages.”
We get inside my apartment, and he pulls me toward the bathroom. I raise an eyebrow. “What do you want?”
From the heated look in his eyes, I know he wants to join me in the shower, but there's something sexy about hearing him say it. It makes me even more aroused, knowing how much he wants me.
I want him desperately, but I hold back. He knows how to get me to cave, but I like that he lets me resist just enough to create the sexual friction I need to really turn me on.
“I want to strip you naked,” he says, lifting my sticky blue top and tossing it across the room.
“Hmm, and then?” I ask, my voice shaky as I feel the ache in my lower core.
“Then I want to fuck you against the shower wall. I want the warm water spraying on us, and I want you to scream my name.”
I tug his shirt off, and let it drop on the floor. As he turns on the tap, I wiggle out of my running shorts, grateful I didn’t choose leggings today.
He pushes his shorts down, and we both stand there naked.
“Fucking incredible, baby,” he says, his eyes raking over me.
My knees shake, never getting tired of the way he obviously desires me.
“Shut up and fuck me,” I demand.
He gives me a wolfish grin. “You got it, baby.”
Picking me up, he shoves me against the shower wall, and I couldn’t love him more than I do right now.