Chapter 21 Eden
Eden
Waking up next to Sloane is unreal. It’s also hot, and not in the sexy kind of way. Sloane is radiating enough heat to fry an egg, and she’s draped all over me.
It’s not the first time I’ve shared a bed with another girl. Pia has slept over a couple of times. She’s a cover hog, and nine times out of ten I wake up freezing my arse off, so this is a nice change. The fact Sloane is naked certainly adds bonus points.
My mind rewinds to last night and the things we did to each other. If I knew it wouldn’t wake Sloane up I’d do a little happy dance. Instead, I just smile to the ceiling like a crazy love-sick fool. Because let’s be honest, I am totally gone for this girl.
I’ve never been in love before, but I’ve read enough sapphic romance to understand the signs.
Constant butterflies in my tummy. Thinking of her the second I wake up.
Picturing her face as I close my eyes at night.
Wanting Sloane to be the first person I speak to about everything and anything.
Also because the very clear picture I’ve had of my life after college now includes her.
I’m not entirely sure what it consists of yet, I just know I need her to be with me wherever I am.
The house by the sea is still my dream, but it doesn’t feel like the be-all and end-all anymore.
Maybe my body is still flooded with feel-good hormones after last night. I don’t care if that’s the case. I know I love her. She’s everything.
Letting out a happy sigh, I feel her begin to wake.
My smile grows as she nuzzles my chest and hums. I don’t think I have to worry about an awkward morning after.
We explored each other thoroughly over the course of the evening.
There were a few fumbles and bouts of laughter as we tried different positions.
Being able to giggle our way through the less than smooth parts was wonderful.
It made our time together fun, and…well, together.
At no point did I feel the pressure was on me to perform.
The first round I went with my instincts, and sure, I wanted to be good at it. I think I did okay.
After, though, when we just fell into each other completely, there was no expectation. We didn’t keep score on who did what and how many times, it was just mutual pleasure.
Sloane stretches her body like a lazy cat. The arch pushed her tits into me a little harder, and I’ll admit I’m already wanting to roll her over and start the day with a bang. Her leg stretches over my hip a little more, and by the feel of it, I’m not the only one thinking naughty thoughts.
“Morning,” I whisper into her hair. I feel her smile grow against my chest. She tightens her hold on me a fraction more.
“Good morning.”
Her voice is a little raspy, and her hair is a complete mess. Fuck, she’s never looked so beautiful. Her eyes are shining bright as we look at each other, both doing a terrible job of hiding how ecstatic we are. Hell, why should we?
Moving down a fraction, I bring our faces to the same level. I want to see her properly. “Did you sleep well?”
The lip bite slays me. I swear. “Like a baby. You’re very comfortable.”
“I’m happy to hear it. Feel free to use me as a pillow anytime.”
“I’m going to take you up on that, babe.”
We meet for a slow, lazy kiss. As it starts to heat up, Sloane groans, but not in a pleasurable way. Pulling back, she plants both hands on my chest.
“As much I want to have sex again, I need to go home. I’m guessing we slept in late.”
Craning my head over my shoulder, I peek at the clock on my bedside table. “It’s almost ten.”
With a resigned sigh, Sloane pecks me on the lips one more time. “Yeah, I gotta go.”
“Do you at least have time for breakfast?” I absolutely do not want her to leave, but I know she’s bogged down with a lot of shit right now, and I don’t want to pile on any unnecessary stress.
She strokes my face softly. “Sure. I’ll take pancakes and coffee.”
Her demand makes me laugh. “Whatever you want, babe.”
We climb out of bed, and that’s when the smell hits me. My room stinks of sex. After everything we did last night, we will smell of sex, too. Sloane seems to come to the same conclusion.
“Shower?” she asks with a wrinkled nose, causing me to laugh again.
I hand her a fresh towel from my closet. “You go first. I’m not sure I can control myself if we share.”
There’s that bloody lip bite again.
“Hmm. I suppose you’re right.”
She saunters over to me with the towel draped over her naked shoulder. Standing directly in front of me, she grazes the tip of her tongue up the side of my neck.
“That is so unfair,” I moan.
She chuckles mischievously and nips my earlobe. “Next time.”
Sloane wraps the towel around her body and slips down the hall to the bathroom.
Ten minutes later, she returns smelling like my shampoo and body wash. Unwilling to risk her teasing, I slip past her and run to the bathroom. Her laugh follows me until I shut the door.
Instead of putting her party clothes back on, Sloane has pinched some sweatpants and a t-shirt. Everything about the morning so far has been perfect. Now I just have to face my family and hope they don’t say anything to embarrass me or Sloane, therefore ruining the perfection.
Dad is in the living room doing yoga. It’s a new obsession. He won’t go to a physical class. Following along on a video seems to be up his alley. Mum is in the kitchen, whipping up pancake batter. She must have heard us getting up, and as usual knows exactly what we’ll want.
Jenna is also in the kitchen, scrolling on her phone. Sloane is a step behind me as we enter, hands entwined. Mum waves at us both but doesn’t say anything. Jenna, on the other hand, stares between us and rolls her eyes.
“That’s why Mum and Dad took me for ice cream at like eleven o’clock last night. Didn’t want my innocent ears being traumatised.”
My face flames. Sloane snorts through her fingers. Mum sighs and turns to glare at Jenna. She is grinning like the fucking demon she is.
Sloane steps past me, squeezing my hand. She takes a seat next to my horrid sister and snags a piece of her pancake off her plate.
“Morning to you too, Jen.”
Jenna grins and goes back to whatever is on her phone.
Mum starts cooking and I make us some coffee.
I can feel my mum’s not-so-subtle glances.
I’m not about to tell her with Sloane still here, for crying out loud.
Catching her eye, I do a bit of my own glaring.
Mum only rolls her lips, trying not to laugh at me.
Taking the chair on the opposite side of the table, I sip my coffee. The caffeine is welcomed. I’m definitely going to need a nap later. Mum places a stack of pancakes on the table and sits next to me.
“So, what are you both up to today?”
Swallowing a chunk of pancake, Sloane wipes her mouth before answering, “Homework and babysitting.”
I shrug. “I’ve got a session for the 5k to do. After that I’ll paint.”
“You’re going to kill this 5k, babe,” Sloane replies, cutting up more of her breakfast.
Nodding, I weigh up if it’s time to tell her my idea. Ever since I started the bloody thing, I’ve been the centre of attention at school. I don’t like it. I especially won’t like it when it comes to doing the 5k for real and having a bunch of people gawking at me. So, I devised a plan.
“I had an idea.” Yup, it’s time to share. “What do you think about us organising a school-wide 5k charity run?”
Sloane pauses and cocks her head to the side in thought. “Yeah, I like it.”
“You won’t have long to put it together, love,” Mum says.
She’s right, of course. There are roughly eight weeks left until the end of this semester. I’ll need to talk to Mr Porter, and the principal, I guess. I’ve no idea how to organise anything apart from my paints.
“I’ll help,” Sloane says, clearly reading my distress. “Mr Porter will be more than happy. We could use the track, or figure out a route near the school.”
I consider the two options. “The track would be a bit boring, don’t you think?”
“There would be more of a challenge if it was a road run. Plenty of hills and stuff,” Jenna pipes up.
Mum nods. “Your sister is right.”
“Okay, so I need to figure out a good 5k route, starting from the school. Then…I speak to the principal?”
Sloane takes out her phone and starts making notes. “Let’s talk to Mr Porter first. Have you got a charity in mind?”
Nope. I just wanted any excuse to not have every pair of eyes at Holcroft on me come race day.
“I’ll look into local ones.”
We finish breakfast, chatting about possible routes and charities. Before I know it, Sloane is making her way to the door. Our bubble is about to be burst by more homework and responsibilities.
“Hey, so I had a talk with Becca yesterday before the game.”
I tuck her close to my chest as I listen. I really don’t want her to go. “Okay. Everything alright with her and Bella?”
Sloane boops my nose. “Everything is great. Becca actually came up with an idea to free up some of my time.”
Oh, I like the sound of that. “I’m listening.”
“She’s going to co-captain the cheer squad. I mean she practically does it now. She’s my right-hand woman. But I’m going to ask Mr Porter to officially name her. For one, it will look great on her college transcripts. Two, it will take the pressure off me.”
“But you love being the captain!” Shit, I hope she isn’t feeling pressured by me!
“Hey, stop.” She palms my face. “This isn’t about you.
Well, not all of it. I’ve spread myself too thin.
Homework has to be a priority. I’m still getting more algebra than anyone else.
Guess that’s going to be my punishment for the year.
Remind me never to skip class again.” She grins.
“I will be involved in the games and nationals. Becca will just take over the extra practice.”
“What about babysitting? Surely your neighbour would understand?”
Sloane shakes her head and sighs. “No, I’d feel awful leaving her in the lurch like that. Plus the extra money is good, and I have time to do homework while the little one sleeps.”
Scratching the back of my neck, I lean my forehead against Sloane’s, suddenly feeling needy. “I’m sorry if being with me is stressing you out, babe.”
I’m not saying it to garner sympathy. I really do feel shitty that Sloane is rearranging her life.
My hand gets pulled from the back of my neck and brought down to Sloane’s chest. “I’m not sorry at all, Eden. I’ve wanted this for a long time. After last night, I know I was right to wait. This means something, doesn’t it?”
Fuck yes, it does.
Capturing her lips, I inhale her. Our kisses are so familiar now. Like soaking in a warm bath after a cold day. Her lips breathe life into me.
“Last night was perfect. You’re perfect,” I breathe.
She smiles against me. “I’m not perfect, babe.”
“I beg to differ.”
“God, are you going to be much longer? I want to go to my room!”
Jenna is a walking, talking ad for the merits of living a child-free life, I swear to God.
Sloane laughs and pulls away. “I’ll call you later, okay?”
“Okay.”
Sloane slips out the door and I berate myself for not saying the words I should have said last night, or at least this morning, as she lay in my arms.
Bugger!
Turning, I pin Jenna with a look that could dissolve metal. It clearly has the desired effect because she holds up her hands in surrender and mutters an apology before scuttling past and up the stairs.
I know Sloane was already leaving, but we were having a fucking moment. I can’t wait for Jenna to bring her first girlfriend or boyfriend home. I’m going to have so much fun. Even if I’m away at college, I’ll find a way to repay all the times she’s been an arse.
Grinning like a madwoman, I re-enter the kitchen and slump back in my chair. Mum pushes a fresh coffee my way and settles opposite me. Her eyes are far too wide and full of excitement.
“So?” she says after a moment’s silence.
“Where’s Dad? He’s not doing yoga anymore.”
“I’m here,” he calls, crashing through the door armed with multiple shopping bags. “Don’t start without me!”
I didn’t even hear him leave the house. Too wrapped up in Sloane’s magnificence.
“It’s not an episode of Eastenders, Dad!”
Mum snorts and Dad grins. I sip my coffee while they store the food away. I knew they’d want to talk about last night. I just wasn’t expecting this level of enthusiasm.
“Right,” Mum says, sitting back down with Dad in tow. “We’re ready.”
I think my smile gives it away. Mum reaches over the table and takes my hand.
“We’re happy for you, E.”
“Sloane is a lovely young woman,” Dad adds on.
“I’m completely in love with her,” I blurt.
Mum rolls her eyes like I’ve just said the most obvious thing. Dad slings his arm around Mum’s shoulders. “Young love doesn’t mean temporary, Eden. Look at me and your mum.”