Chapter 22
22
K ate woke to the warmth of the sun on her skin and the subtle weight of Vanessa’s arm draped across her middle. She wanted to stay in this moment, lingering on the memories of the night before. As her gaze drifted to the side, she found Vanessa still asleep, her dark hair splayed across the pillow in messy waves. In the quiet of the morning, Kate allowed herself a moment to simply admire Vanessa’s beauty.
Memories of the previous night flooded Kate’s mind, sending a delicious shiver down her spine. The way Vanessa had moaned beneath her touch, her body arching into Kate’s with a desperate need. The way she had come undone so easily, her cries of pleasure echoing through the room. The chemistry between them had been electric.
Vanessa stirred, her eyelashes fluttering open as she gradually woke. The early morning light played across Vanessa’s features, highlighting the elegant lines of her face and the soft curve of her lips.
Vanessa’s eyes opened fully, meeting Kate’s gaze. For a heartbeat, neither moved nor spoke. Kate reached out tentatively, her fingers brushing a strand of hair away from Vanessa’s face. Vanessa leaned into the touch, her eyes closing briefly as if savoring the connection. When she opened them again, there was a softness there that made Kate’s heart ache.
“Good morning,” Vanessa murmured, her voice husky and thick with sleep.
“Morning.” Kate felt a rush of warmth spread through her chest. “Did you sleep okay?”
Vanessa stretched slightly, her arm tightening around Kate for a brief moment before relaxing again. “Better than I have in weeks,” she admitted.
Kate felt a flush rise to her cheeks, pleased but unsure how to respond. She searched Vanessa’s gaze, looking for any hint of regret or second thoughts, but it wasn’t there.
“Me too,” Kate finally said, the words barely above a whisper. She wanted to say more, to express everything she was feeling, but the words seemed to stick in her throat.
Vanessa’s fingers traced lazy patterns on Kate’s stomach, and the simple touch sent a tingling sensation across her skin. The sound of birds chirping outside reminded Kate of where they were, of what this weekend was supposed to be. She opened her eyes and found Vanessa watching her with an intensity that made her heart race.
“Are you hungry?” Vanessa asked.
“Starving,” she said with a small laugh. “But I don’t want to move.”
Kate watched as Vanessa shifted, propping herself up on one elbow. The sheet slipped down, and Kate could only stare.
“Why don’t we eat something, and then...” Vanessa’s voice dropped lower, her fingertips dancing along Kate’s collarbone. “Come right back here.”
The suggestion sent heat coursing through Kate’s body. She studied Vanessa’s face, taking in the playful glint in her eyes, the slight quirk of her lips. This wasn’t the polished, composed Vanessa Prescott that the world knew. This was someone else entirely, and Kate knew she was falling so hard for this version of Vanessa.