Chapter 44
Forty-Four
The music I turned on earlier is still playing softly in the living room from when I returned from my run. The house is otherwise quiet. No sign of Beck yet.
When I slipped out of bed an hour ago, she was still sleeping soundly, and I didn’t want to disturb her. The weather’s supposed to turn ugly over the next few days, and I thought I should get out while I still could.
The coffee pot spits and sputters on the counter, and the heavenly scent of roasted beans fills the kitchen.
I grab two mugs and set them side by side on the counter.
While I was out, I picked up some breakfast, so we don’t need to worry about that.
I’m leaning on the counter waiting for the coffee to finish brewing when I hear Beck humming as she comes down the stairs.
“Good morning,” I say as she wanders into the room, dressed comfortably for the day in black leggings and a knit sweater. Her hair lies in a loose braid down her back, a colourful scarf pushing her bangs away from her face. She isn’t wearing makeup, just a bit of gloss on her lips.
How did I get so lucky?
She comes straight to me, walking directly into my open arms as if that’s where she was always meant to be. I kiss the top of her head and breathe her in.
“Hi,” she whispers into my neck.
After we went to bed last night, we stayed awake for hours, snuggled under the blankets, talking in the dark. About everything that has happened over the past few months and making plans for the future.
“Did you sleep well?” I ask, pushing the tail of her colourful scarf over her shoulder.
“So good,” she says, smiling up at me. “The best sleep I’ve had in forever.” She pauses. “I only have one complaint.”
I lift an eyebrow. “Yeah?”
“I woke up all alone,” she says with a pout. “Not tangled up with you.”
I tighten my grip around her waist and pull her closer. She melts into me, and for a moment, the rest of the world doesn’t exist. Just us, here and now.
“What do you want to do today?” I ask, gently resting my forehead on hers.
“Nothing,” she murmurs. “Is that okay with you?”
“Absolutely. Phones off?” I want nothing more than to tune out the rest of the world and spend the day wrapped up in each other.
She tilts her head back to meet my eyes. “Yeah. No phone calls or text messages. No social media. Just you and me.”
“That sounds like a perfect day to me,” I say, my hand running up and down the length of her spine.
The song changes, and Beck begins to sway in my arms.
“This is the first song we danced to at The Riff,” she says, grinning at the memory.
“I remember,” I say, moving her around the kitchen in a slow circle. “You were the most gorgeous woman in the room. I felt so lucky to be the one who got to hold you.”
“I always knew that you wanted to dance with me,” she teases, sliding her hand up my chest.
“You are the only dance partner I’ve ever wanted,” I admit, eyes dipping to her soft lips.
Forcing my eyes back up to hers, I say, “It was true then as it is now.”
I pull her hips closer and let the song play as she hums to the melody against my shoulder. I can feel the steady beat of her heart and the swell of her breasts under the thin fabric of her sweater.
My hands slide lower before I lift her into my arms. Her legs wrap around my waist instinctively, and I dip my head, brushing my lips across hers.
Her arms loop around my neck, fingers tangling in my hair as she draws me in closer. When her lips part, I take it as an invitation to deepen the kiss.
I shift my grip under her thighs and start moving, barely breaking the kiss as I carry her from the room. She lets out a soft laugh against my mouth, tightening her arms around my neck.
“Where are you taking me?”
“Somewhere a little more comfortable,” I say, though the truth is, I just want to hold her closer.
The crackling fireplace throws soft golden light across the room. I lower us slowly to the couch, keeping her in my lap.
Her knees settle on either side of me, and for a moment we watch each other.
I brush a strand of hair behind her ear, letting my hand linger against her cheek before I kiss her again, slower this time.
She leans into me with a soft moan, her fingers cupping the back of my neck.
I wrap my arms around her back, holding her close as our mouths move together in an easy, familiar rhythm.
There’s no rush or urgency. The day is all ours.
When we break away, she rests her head on my chest, both of us breathing a little heavier.
“I’m happy,” she whispers, lifting her gaze to meet mine. “Really happy. This…being here with you like this. It’s all I have ever desired.”
I press a gentle kiss on her lips, smiling down at her. “Me too,” I agree, tightening my arms around her and holding her closer. And in that quiet moment, I know without a doubt that this is exactly where we’re meant to be. Together.