Chapter 6
DO YOU HAVE MAGICAL SWEAT?
DARCY
There’s soft light coming in through the window, like the sun is struggling to fight against the clouds and make itself known. Normally, I love the sunshine, but today, I’m glad it’s staying hidden a little longer so I can take in the woman sleeping next to me.
Her face is smashed up against my arm, one hand clutching my biceps in a vise grip, and the other resting on my chest. Her leg is thrown over one of mine, her thigh dangerously close to the morning wood that’s extra woody, thanks to us both being naked.
She’s stunning. Lovely, really.
I’ve never woken up so content in my whole life, and that thought alone is enough to make my heart stall.
Is this me finding something—or someone—that brings me a bit of joy and pushing them to the forefront of my thoughts because they’ve been so dark lately?
Or is she really that special? That wonderful.
That sexy, and weird, and sassy, and funny, and…
The smattering of freckles on her cheek distracts me from the spiral as I count them. Seven little dots on her left cheek.
I wonder if the right matches.
There’s also one just by her ear. And a cluster of three on her collarbone. I know because I kissed the little constellation last night while she came on my cock for the second time. I know because even then, I thought she might be the most unique, most interesting person I’ve ever met.
She said “one night” so many times I lost count. I told myself last night I’d be fine with it. But now, looking down at her, I don’t know how that’s going to be possible.
Her grip tightens, and her lips move over the skin of my arm. With her eyes still closed, she smiles, and I hope it’s because she knows it’s me next to her.
But what if she has someone else? What if she said it was just one night because she has a person waiting for her somewhere in the province? What if—
“Geez, Peter, how do you still smell this good after all that sex? Do you have magical sweat?” With her eyes still closed, she settles my panicky thoughts.
“What do I smell like, darling?” I try not to move, as if keeping still will also keep my anxiety away. I want to enjoy this moment for exactly what it is: perfect.
“Like I want to cover myself in you. Shove my face into your skin and breathe deeply. Like I want to lick you.”
Fuck. Is it too soon to tell her I’m in love with her? Too soon to tell her that was the nicest, cutest, hottest thing anyone’s ever said to me?
Hell, yes, it’s too soon. I’m not in love with her. I like the way she makes me feel. How she compliments me and strokes my ego. That’s all this is. I can acknowledge that it feels really fucking good and move on.
I let out a low chuckle, and her smile grows, her eyes still closed and her nose crinkling adorably.
“I’m pretty sure you did all of those things last night,” I say, twisting my neck to breathe in the scent of her shampoo. “And you smell pretty fucking delicious yourself.”
“Hmmm.” She’s quiet for a moment, and I wonder if she’s fallen asleep again, but then she breaks my heart with four words. “I should get going.”
My body instantly tenses, and I know she feels it because she opens her eyes and moves away from me. The spell is broken. My dream girl is about to walk away, and all I want to do is find a reason for her to stay.
“I have a whole day of reading and lounging in the sun ahead of me, if it ever decides to come out today. I’m sure you have big, important things to do.” She bops my nose and shuffles around until she’s sitting up, her back to me.
“No, actually, I don’t.” I remain lying down, propping myself up on my elbow. “I have zero plans, but honestly, watching you read sounds perfect.”
Peter Darcy, you are such a loser. Why in the ever-loving fuck did you say that?
Elizabeth giggles, reaching back to shove me playfully. “Oh, whatever. Shut it. I know it sounds boring, but I never get to do… nothing, you know?” Her cheeks turn a shade of pink I haven’t seen in our short time together. I think she’s embarrassed. I can’t imagine why, though.
“I totally, completely get that. Yes.” It’s the honest truth, too.
“I came here to do that. Nothing.” By order of my doctor, but I leave that detail out of the conversation.
“What if we do nothing together. If at any point you get sick of me, I’ll leave.
Scout’s honor.” I give her a little salute, doing my best not to be distracted by her boobs now she’s turned to face me.
“Peter…” She trails off, and I see it already: she’s about to turn me down.
“I’ll even get my own book.” I have no idea when I last read anything, but I’ll fucking start right now if it means more time with her.
“We can sit in complete silence after we find the biggest breakfast Halifax has to offer.” The mention of food has her resolve faltering.
“Please?” And there it is. She’s in. I know it before she speaks.
Her shoulders go lax, and her lips turn up in a small smile.
“Fine, but don’t think I won’t get rid of you if you annoy me, because I will.
” I nod so hard, my hair flips and flops over my face.
“And it’s only for today. I don’t do… whatever this is.
I’m a bang ’em and leave ’em girl, and you’re not about to change that.
” My nod is less enthusiastic this time, but I agree all the same.
“And we’re not exchanging phone numbers or last names or anything that might make it possible for us to find one another after this, because I am not interested in that. Clear?”
“Crystal,” I reply, swallowing hard as her words sink in.
We decided over breakfast I’d do better with an audiobook, so I downloaded an app and let Beth pick something for me. We’ve been lying on the lawn by the Citadel for over an hour on a picnic blanket I probably paid too much for, but I don’t care because she’s still here, next to me.
Every now and then, I peek to watch as her brows crease, or her lips purse, or occasionally break into a small smile.
She even giggled once; that was when I decided to only keep one of my ear pods in, so I don’t miss the magical sound again.
She’s lying on her stomach with her head propped on a hand as the other touches the screen of her e-reader to flip the pages.
If it wasn’t creepy as hell, I’d take a picture of her like this.
My book is pretty good. There are dragons and fighting, and I’m pretty sure the main character’s sworn enemy is in love with her, so that should be interesting.
My stomach rumbles, but I wait for her to do the little sigh thing she lets out at the end of every chapter before I interrupt her.
“I’m gonna get us some lunch at that fancy market close by. Any special requests?” I touch the side of her arm with the tip of my finger, just because. I have no reason to touch her. I just want to.
“Oh. Um. Well, I can come with you, or I can go, or—”
I chuckle, smoothing my hand up and down her arm. “You’re way too into that book to stop. Tell me what you like.” The innuendo isn’t missed, and she smirks.
“Meat.” She snorts at her own terrible joke.
“And cheese. And carbs, and maybe some chocolate. Oh, and sparkling water. Any flavor but cherry, please.” Her smile widens as she notices me watching her.
“And thank you.” With that, she stretches across the small space between us and places a chaste kiss on my lips that makes my head spin.
When I don’t move, she laughs and pokes me on the side.
“Go on. I heard your stomach growling twenty minutes ago.”
“I think I need another kiss before I can force my legs to move.” That gets her to laugh harder, but she indulges me, nonetheless, lingering for a few seconds like she wanted to kiss me as much as I wanted to kiss her.
Or maybe that’s my wishful thinking.