25. Paris
TWENTY-FIVE
PARIS
I wake slowly, reminders of what happened just hours ago putting a smile on my face before my eyes are even open.
My evening with Austin was like a dirty fairy tale, ending with the kind of sex I’ve always hoped for.
He was so gentle and caring, truly worried about my pleasure over his own.
Up until last night, I thought that multiple orgasms were a myth, like unicorns or a dryer that doesn’t eat at least one sock during every load, but he proved me wrong in no time at all.
Granted, I only have one person to compare him to.
But in all the years I was with Braxton, even at the beginning when we were exploring our bodies for the first time, I never felt like I was the main priority.
With Austin, there was no pressure to finish before he did, because I knew he wouldn’t allow himself to put an end to anything until I was completely satisfied.
And after we were done, there was no rolling over with his back to me or leaving the room to play video games.
He stayed with me all night, letting me ghost my hands up and down his body until I fell asleep.
He kissed me and whispered gentle affirmations into my hair, making me feel worshiped and adored.
What we did wasn’t just a transaction to him.
It was an experience between two people who really care for one another.
It’s exciting, and although I’ll probably still be a little nervous because I’ve never encountered a morning after the first time situation as an adult, I’m looking forward to whatever the new day brings.
Rolling over, I extend my arms, expecting to feel his warm body under my palms, but all I find are cold, empty sheets, causing me to peel my eyes open in confusion. Sure enough, I’m alone in bed, the soft material bunched up and telling me he probably hasn’t been gone very long.
Anxious to find him, I sit up, noticing a dull throb between my legs.
I wince just slightly, but it doesn’t last long, a knowing smirk playing at the corners of my mouth.
He said I’d experience some discomfort from the stretch, and he was definitely right.
I still really love the way it feels, though.
The pain is a welcome reminder of being filled to my absolute limit, taking every inch as he slid to depths nobody else ever has.
I swing my feet off the bed, lifting my phone from where it’s lying on the nightstand and pulling up Oakley’s contact.
I know she and my brother had the kids out late, so I decide to shoot her a text instead of calling.
I desperately want to talk to them, but I know they can be a bit grumpy if they’re awake before they’re ready.
ME:
Just checking in. How’s everything going?
OAKLEY:
So good. Everyone is still out cold right now, so I’m having a cup of coffee on the balcony. By the way, did you know that Rowan can throw a fifty-mile-per-hour fastball? Memphis was so proud, telling all his teammates that his nephew is the future of the MLB.
ME:
That’s so cute. I bet Ro was eating it up.
OAKLEY:
Actually, he said he might want to go into the NFL instead. And Rhys was bursting at the seams waiting to tell everyone that his football coach is Austin Baker.
My heart swells in my chest. I remember their first practice.
Rowan didn’t even want to go, and Rhys was more excited about the prospect of meeting Maddox than actually playing the game.
Neither of them had ever touched a football outside of our backyard, let alone gotten an opportunity to play with a team of kids from other cities and schools.
Rowan was nervous, but Austin somehow managed to gain his trust and encourage him to break out of his shell.
Now, he leads that team like he was born to do it, with all the confidence of a quarterback who has just as much love for the sport as he has talent.
And Rhys is having a blast, learning how to channel his excitement and energy in the best ways.
ME:
That’s good to hear. He really is a great coach.
OAKLEY:
Just a great coach?? Anything else he’s great at? Your brother mentioned that the two of you have been spending a lot of time together…and if your location isn’t deceiving me, I’d say maybe you’re spending time together right now. And all of last night.
ME:
Oakley Kensington, are you SPYING ON ME?! I gave you access to that information for safety purposes, because I’m a single woman who frequents a busy city! You’re not supposed to watch my every move!
OAKLEY:
Oh, relax. No judgement here. I hope he blew your back out last night. You deserve it.
ME:
We’re NOT talking about this. Have the kids call me when they wake up.
OAKLEY:
Will do. Love you.
ME:
Love you too.
Standing, I stretch my body, enjoying the wave of relief after sleeping like a baby for the entire night. Who knew that several orgasms followed by cuddles from a six-foot-five human furnace would result in the best rest of your life?
Certainly not me, but I do now.
I pad into the bathroom, where I do my business and notice that Austin has already set out several items for me, including some face wash, a new toothbrush, toothpaste, a hairbrush that looks like it’s never been used, and an oversized Rock City Renegades T-shirt, since I was entirely too exhausted to get dressed after he cleaned me up.
Butterfly wings tickle the inside of my stomach at how thoughtful he is.
I know it turns him on to take care of me, and if I’m honest, it does the same for me.
Even though I have been so determined to do everything on my own, it’s nice to know that he truly enjoys helping.
I really don’t feel like I’m less of an independent woman when he’s around, because I know that the last thing he wants is to take my freedom.
He empowers me, even in the midst of service.
Minutes later, I’m dressed and somewhat put together, so I head down the stairs, following the soft music and smell of frying bacon.
My eyes bounce around the gigantic home, really paying attention to my surroundings, unlike I did the first time I was here.
Even last night, I was too consumed by the idea of finally being alone with Austin that I didn’t even ask to see more than just the living room.
It’s absolutely gorgeous, with a rustic, inviting feel that I could definitely see myself getting comfortable in.
Maybe I’m way ahead of myself, but I can’t help it with the way the couch looks heavenly, and the heated floor feels cozy under my feet.
I probably shouldn’t, but I imagine myself waking up here every day, and stepping into the kitchen to find freshly brewed coffee already waiting for me because I know how seriously Austin takes my caffeine.
I find the kitchen easily, taking in the most beautiful sight as I step inside.
Austin is shirtless in front of the stove, a pair of snug gray sweatpants slung low on his hips.
The muscles in his back fire off as he moves, flipping what looks to be eggs in a pan in front of him.
An upbeat pop song plays through a small speaker on the windowsill, his soft humming making me stifle a smile.
A thirty-eight-year-old man who knows the melody of Bella Simon’s latest release might just be the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.
Absolutely enamored, I keep quiet, admiring him from the doorway.
I’ve never felt like this before, even as a teenager with her first crush.
It’s like I’m young all over again, but the intense emotions I get every time I’m with him are reciprocated equally.
I don’t have to wonder if he likes me, because he tells me all the time that he does.
It goes on for several minutes, me staring with hearts in my eyes as he unsuspectingly prepares breakfast. As much as I’d love to watch him like my favorite television show on repeat for the rest of the day, I’m busted far too soon when he turns around and spots me.
A devastating smile blooms across his face, those deep blue eyes crinkling at the corners and nearly making me swoon right into outer space.
His hair is perfectly messy, and even without a shirt on, he just looks so… warm.
“Morning, baby,” he says in greeting as he briefly turns to the stove and lowers the burner.
He’s eating up the space between us a second later, wrapping his arms around my waist while mine snake over his shoulders.
He dips down, his soft, full lips brushing across mine in a sweet but fleeting kiss. “How’d you sleep?”
“Better than I have in years,” I reply, smirking coyly. “It was all the orgasms, I’m pretty sure. You definitely wiped me out.”
“Mmm,” he hums, leaning down so his mouth is hovering over my ear.
His hands find my hips, giving them a firm squeeze as he pulls me into him.
I can feel his massive length against my lower abdomen, memories of how he slowly and patiently worked it inside me playing like a dirty slideshow in the back of my mind.
“Well, there’s more where that came from, Baby Girl.
It would be my pleasure to put you to bed like that whenever you want. ”
He peppers open-mouth kisses across the sensitive flesh of my neck, a line of goosebumps rising in their wake.
I clench my thighs together tightly, already feeling the slippery arousal between them as I moan softly in satisfaction.
It probably wasn’t the smartest idea to forgo my underwear when I put his shirt on, but the only ones I have are from last night, and they’re well and truly ruined.
I wonder how long it’ll take before he notices, but I get my answer the moment his fingertips disappear under the hem at my thighs.
“No panties?” he asks, smiling against my neck. “You’re a fucking dream, Paris. Do you know that?”