25. Chapter 25
Chapter 25
Hot. Why am I so hot? That’s all I can think about as I crack open my eyes. All I see is a mass of blond hair. Somewhere after round three, we went from me being the big spoon to being a mattress. Smiling, thanking my lucky stars that she agreed to stay over, I push the hair out of my face, tighten my arms around her, making her let out a soft sigh.
This is the life. Settling deeper in bed, I can’t help but think that I am the luckiest son of a bitch out there. I’ll never understand how I was able to get this girl to take a chance on me. I can’t believe that out of all the men on this planet, I’m the one she chose to share her mind, body, and soul with. And now I sound like a sixteen-year-old girl. Speaking of sixteen-year-olds, it looks like I owe Sadie a trip to New Zealand in two years. The little shit. Because there is no way I am letting go of Hannah any time soon.
Next thing I know, two little black paws make an appearance on the side table next to my pillow before she hops onto the mattress, head-butting me for her breakfast.
“Okay, Okay. Enough, Hagrid,” I whisper, attempting to pull myself away from Hannah without waking her up, and placing a pillow under her cheek.
Downstairs, in the kitchen, I grab Hagrid breakfast from the fridge, religiously feeding her on the window sill so she can watch the birds. Giving her a quick rub between the eyes earned me a small bite, telling me to move on so she can enjoy her bird watching in peace. Accepting her cue, I shake my head and make my way to the coffee machine to make some coffee. Before I have everything out, I feel two soft hands wind their way around my waist, and Hannah’s soft cheek press between my shoulder blades.
“Good morning, Pretty Girl,” I say, twisting in her arms and leaning against the counter.
“Good morning,” she mumbles back. Taking in her rumpled hair and sleep-creased face, I see that she stole one of my t-shirts from my closet.
“I see I’ve just lost another T-shirt,” I tease, pulling at the hem of the soft grey shirt. I can’t say I’m mad about it.
“Probably.” She giggles.
Grabbing her by the waist, I push her back until she’s against the kitchen island, picking her up to sit her on top. “I guess that’s acceptable. But only if you spend the afternoon with me.”
”I guess that can be arranged,” she answers coyly.
“Oh it will be arranged,” I correct, bending down to leave a quick, searing kiss on her lips. “Now, you sit here, while I make you the best coffee you’ve ever had,” I say, spinning on my heels back towards the espresso machine.
She sits there quietly as she watches me pull out a fancy glass from the cupboard above the machine, grab the ice molds filled with coffee and the chai infused oat milk I got from the artisanal bakery-slash-coffee shop close to the arena.
“And voila, Pretty Girl!” I say, handing her her coffee with a flourish.
Hoping she likes it, I watch her take her first drink and then a second one, before she exclaims, “Okay, this is the best coffee I’ve ever had!”
Letting out a breath I didn’t know I was holding, I relax with the knowledge that I just made her the best coffee she’s ever had. Maybe now that she’s enjoying her coffee, and seems completely relaxed wearing my shirt sitting on my kitchen counter completely lost in her mug. She paints a gorgeous picture that does something to my insides. My heart feels like the Grinch once he’s saved Christmas. It’s a picture I didn’t think I’d ever want. It makes me want more.
Now I’m picturing her in the same position as she is now, but with a baby bump stretching out my old t-shirt. Fast forward a few years and we have a little Hannah sitting up on the counter next to her enjoying her own cup of milk.
Caught up in my thoughts of the future and how easy they come to mind with Hannah, I speak without thinking.
“About last night, I don’t want it to be a one time thing. I want to keep getting to know you. I really like you; I haven’t felt like this in a long time. I want you to know that I meant every single word I said to you last night, it wasn’t just the heat of the moment. I will wait for you, but you’re mine, Hannah.”
Giving her a minute to take in what I’m telling her, I keep tracing my finger in unknown patterns up and down her thighs. Finally, after what is probably only a few seconds, but what feels like a lifetime, she looks up at me meeting my eyes with a wide smile gracing her kissable lips.
“Honestly, I made that decision last night. When I asked you if I could come over I had already decided to just let go and see how things go. Again, I’m not saying I want to jump into a relationship, but I can’t seem to stay away from you. As long as you understand that I’m not looking for anything serious at this point in my life.”
“I know, and like I said last night—I’ll wait for as long as I need to.” I know she’s not where I am, yet I can’t say that I’m not a little hurt. For her, I will wait. She’s worth it. I know she’s the one I was made for. She might not see it yet, but she was made for me too. I can clearly see what our future could look like. Her becoming a famous author, me continuing my career here in Calgary. Having a few kids running around the house, maybe adding a few friends for Hagrid as well. Spending our summer Sundays at the ranch with my parents and Sadie.
She doesn't see it now, but I see it clearly enough for the both of us. So I’ll wait for as long as I have to. She’s worth the wait, and I’ll make sure she knows she’s worth it along the way.
With my strengthened resolve, I’m unable to stop myself, I dip down and press my lips to hers. With a laugh she puts a hand against my chest pushing me back as a look of uncertainty crosses her eyes.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” Giving her the space to gather her thoughts, I pull her in against my chest resting my chin on her head.
Taking a deep breath, she rushes out, “I just don’t want to share you with anyone.”
“Is that what you’re worried about, Han?” I gently ask.
“I’ve just been through this before. You’re young, and quite frankly you could do better. I just want you to tell me when you get sick or bored of me. I don’t want to be blindsided like last time.”
Unable to let her finish, I pull back, tilting her head back with a hand on her cheek so I can look into her eyes to make sure she understands what I’m about to tell her.
“Hannah, you will in no way ever have to share me with anyone. I’m all yours. Just like I know you’re all mine by agreeing to just be with me in any capacity that you are willing. I’m a patient man, and you’re worth the wait, however long that may be. And in the meantime, I promise you I will never get bored of you. And before you say I can’t promise that, you’re wrong. I could spend days just sitting on the couch with you. Plus, how can I get bored if you’re always creating Bucket Lists. You haven’t even told me what the last items on your list are.”
“Just promise me that when you get bored or tired of waiting for me to decide if I want to take this step with you . . .”
“There will be no when. I won’t,” I answer, illicing an eye roll from her.
“Just promise me that if you ever get bored of me or anything like that you’ll talk to me.”
“It won’t happen, but if it’ll make you feel better, I promise to talk to you if I ever get bored of you.”
“Thank you,” she says in a quiet voice. I can see that I have an uphill battle on my hands convincing the woman that I will not get bored of her and that she’s now stuck with me. There’s no way in hell I’m letting her go now that I’ve gotten her to agree to be mine. I might not have known her for long, but I knew she was mine from the minute I spotted her across that crowded dance floor. Now I just need to convince her that she’s worth someone’s full heart and attention. For the life of me I don’t understand how her ex-husband was able to step out on her. Clearly, I’m going to have to step my game up here. Thank God I’ve always loved a good challenge. I think this is going to be my favorite one yet. Starting with that trip the girls want to take me down to my own beach house.
“How about a shower redo?” Hannah asks, pulling me out of my thoughts before I can start planning our beach getaway.
“Now that you never have to ask, Pretty Girl!” I say, pulling her off the counter and throwing her over my shoulder, making her laugh as I land a hand on that ass of hers on our way to my master shower.