Chapter 23
Irolled over and stared at Leia, curled up on the floor next to me. I brushed her cheek, subconsciously checking that I was awake and she was really there. She moved and groaned, and she never looked cuter.
I wasn’t sure what time it was, but we had stayed up until sunrise talking, and we must have fallen asleep on the living room floor. My body was protesting being on this hard surface, but I didn’t want to get up. Instead, I scooted closer and wrapped her arm around me like a big spoon. Her chest rhythmically rose and fell, and it was like a metronome as my breathing matched her pace.
We had discovered numerous details about each other, but those seemed insignificant compared to the overpowering emotions inside, which rendered any words she could or couldnt express irrelevant. Knowing that she wasn’t in a relationship, she didn’t have kids and wasn’t sure if she wanted them, and that she was five years older than me were tidbits of information that I enjoyed learning, but none of it changed my opinion.
Everything inside of me called out to her, and it was the first time I was ever at peace in someone else’s company. We fit together like a puzzle, and it was almost scary how fast I had fallen. My guard was up when I was with Steph, and it took me a while to tell her I loved her. When I think back, it seems like I had to try to convince myself it was love.
I wasn’t saying I loved Leia after a day together, but it was true. I always read that love found you when you least expected it, but I wasn’t sure if that was the case. It seemed more like love found me because my person found me. I never imagined an emotion this strong could be real. But there was no fighting it when the right person came into your life.
This was what Ty was talking about. I thought I understood before, but it hits on an entirely different level now that I was here in her arms. She stirred, and her breath was hot on my neck.
“Good morning,” she whispered against my ear, and I had full-body goosebumps. She stretched her long limbs, and I kept my back snuggled into her arms like a koala. “What time is it?”
“I don’t know, and I don’t care. I don’t have to work, and all I want to do is forget about the rest of the world.” I rolled to face her, and her eyes stared at my lips.
As much as we were drawn together, we did good about keeping our hands to ourselves last night, but looking at her now, I wasn’t sure I would have the same control. If it was possible, she was more attractive just waking up.
“Oh yeah? We could arrange that. But I definitely can’t stay down here all day.” She exhaled deeply, then stood up.
I immediately missed her touch, but it was probably for the best. We both agreed to do things right and take things slow. My body ached for her, but I didn’t want to burn red-hot only to have it fizzle. That was sort of what happened with Steph. We had an initial attraction, but that seemed to have faded. I wanted what I had with Leia to continue to grow stronger with time.
She reached out her hand, and I let her help me. As I stood next to her, I couldn’t keep my hands off her. I wrapped my arms around her waist and laid my head against her chest. She was a few inches taller than me, but somehow, we flawlessly complimented each other.
Her lips brushed the top of my head, and it was the first time I felt at home in someone’s arms. “Can we stay like this forever?” I laughed, but I was only half-joking.
“You think that’s funny, but I have already pictured a future with you so many times. If you’re not my forever, the universe got it wrong.”
My knees weakened with her words. This was too perfect—she was too perfect. Then self-doubt started creeping into my brain, but I wouldn’t let it ruin this.
“No one got this wrong. This is where we’re supposed to be. So why don’t we get some coffee and breakfast and continue our chat?” I needed to keep it simple for now. If I let my thoughts run away from me, I might self-sabotage.
She scrunched her nose in an adorable way. “I hope this isn’t a deal breaker, but I don’t like coffee.”
My mouth hung open in shock. “Are you kidding? How do you get through the day? Have you ever had good coffee?”
If I were drinking something from a drip coffee machine, I wouldn’t want it, either. But from my espresso maker, it was sinfully delicious.
“I normally get a caffeinated tea, but I’m sure you don’t have any.” She shrugged but didn’t appear disappointed.
“Well, we could run and get some if you want.” I didn’t want her to miss out because of me.
“Nah. I’d rather stay here, like you said. I can drink whatever you’re having. I promise I’m not as pretentious as that sounded.” She laughed, but I didn’t think that about her, anyway.
“All right. I’m going to have a macchiato. Would you like that or something less sweet?”
“Whatever you make is fine. I promise. But sweet coffee is better than bitter.”
We headed into the kitchen, and she looked around. I didn’t give her the tour last night, but she seemed impressed with my place.
“Would you like me to make something while you get the coffee ready?”
The question caught me off guard. I had never done anything that domestic with someone else before. Even when Steph and I lived together, our lives didn’t intermingle.
“I mean, you don’t have to, but if you want?—”
She cut me off by opening the cabinet where the pots and pans were, and she pulled out a cast-iron skillet. I stood in awe watching her go exactly where she needed to. It was like she had lived in this house before. I never remembered any of our dreams here, so it was strange how at home she was.
“Don’t worry about it. I want to pamper you, too. That’s what partners do.” She squeezed my hips as she brushed by me on her way to the fridge, and everything about this woman was a fairy tale.
Luckily, I had gone to the grocery store, so I had food, but I wasn’t sure what she would make. I watched as she pulled out eggs, cheese, onions, peppers, mushrooms, and spinach. This was the perfect breakfast made by the percent person, and I could have watched her all day.
I didn’t want to bird-dog her, so I went about my business getting the coffee ready and let her do her thing. The richness of espresso filled my nose but was soon replaced by the savory aroma of sauteed vegetables.
I glanced over my shoulder while she whisked the eggs in a bowl with a towel over her shoulder. This wasn’t her first rodeo, and I loved that we could share this moment. It held a sense of déjà vu. I wasn’t sure if it was from the past or if I was seeing a flash of my future, but this was better than any dream.