14. Addison
Addison
I groaned while swiping blindly at my phone until the sound stopped. The room stayed dark and quiet, but something about it felt different, there was warmth behind me, steady and solid. An arm rested over my waist like it had always belonged there.
Sawyer.
Her breath brushed the back of my neck in slow, even rhythms that told me she was still sound asleep.
“How did you sleep through that?” I smiled and shifted carefully so I wouldn’t wake her too quickly.
I pressed a soft kiss to the corner of her mouth. “Hey,” I whispered, my voice rough with sleep as I nudged her gently. “It’s 5:30. Do you want to move to the bed?”
Sawyer made a low, sleepy sound and rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand, looking for a moment like a kid who didn’t want to admit she was exhausted.
I took her hand and lead her down the hall to my room. Sawyer paused by the bed just long enough to push her jeans down over her hips and kick them off without ceremony. There was no performance in the movement, only comfort.
She stood there in a worn T-shirt and underwear, soft lines and sleepy ease replacing the confidence she carried when she was fully awake. The sight of her like that, unguarded and real, sent a warm flip through my stomach.
I pulled the sheets back and climbed into bed the sheets cool. Sawyer slipped in behind me without hesitation and curled close, one arm wrapping around my waist, her knees bending to match mine.
I exhaled softly when her bare thigh pressed against the back of my leg, her body felt warm and grounding in a way that made the whole room calmer.
She leaned forward and kissed the back of my neck, the touch light and almost reverent. “Mmm,” Sawyer murmured sleepily as her breath warmed my skin. “Goodnight.”
The softness of her voice settled somewhere deep in my chest. “Goodnight,” I whispered while threading my fingers through hers beneath the covers. I fell asleep quickly after that.
* * *
When I woke up again, sunlight slipped through the sheer curtains. I blinked at the clock and saw it was already eight. The rare indulgence of sleeping in made me smile as I stretched beneath the covers, my arms reaching overhead while my shirt rode up slightly along my stomach.
Behind me, Sawyer sat up she leaned down and pressed a slow kiss against the side of my waist. The contact made me inhale sharply.
She kissed me again a little higher this time, her movements lazy and unhurried, and her hand slipped beneath the hem of my shirt before spreading across my stomach with an easy familiarity that sent heat blooming instantly through my body.
I turned my head so I could look at her.
She smiled at me, still sleepy but with a darker intent behind her eyes, then leaned in to kiss me. I made a quiet sound before I could stop myself, and she answered with a soft hum against my mouth.
The kiss deepened slowly. One turned into another and then another, each one pulling us further in while she shifted her weight and gently coaxed me onto my back so she could look down at me.
I let her guide the movement easily because I wanted to see her face and feel the way her body hovered over mine.
Fuck this woman.
Our mouths met again, slower this time, our lips parted as our tongues brushed in unhurried strokes that made my breath catch.
“Fuck,” I whispered while sliding my fingers into her hair and tugging lightly. The sound she made in response traveled straight through me. My core throbbed, and my nipples tightened instantly.
Her hand traced along the curve of my waist and then up across my ribs through the thin cotton of my shirt while she continued kissing me. The warmth of her palm against my skin made it difficult to focus on anything except her.
My hands moved over her shoulders and along the warmth of her back while my nails dragged lightly across her skin.
“Sawyer, fuck.”
My thigh shifted between hers beneath the covers as I arched upward instinctively, seeking more closeness.
Her breathing grew heavier as the kisses continued. “God, yes” Sawyer breathed against my lips, “you’re too hot first thing in the morning.”
Baby,” I whispered without thinking while pulling her closer. “You’re killing me.”
She groaned softly at the word and lowered her forehead against mine while her breath turned uneven. I laughed quietly and wrapped my arms around her neck. “You started it.”
Sawyer kissed me again, slower this time but no less intense, and I relaxed into it.
The moment stretched comfortably while we stayed wrapped together, kissing and touching without rushing toward anything else. The warmth between us settled into a slow, steady pulse between my thighs that left me flushed and quietly humming.
Eventually I pulled back slightly and rested my forehead against hers while catching my breath. “If we don’t get up,” I said with a small smile, my voice still unsteady, “I’m not leaving this bed all day.”
Sawyer grinned and kissed the tip of my nose. “I’m not seeing the downside here.”
“I have bridal party obligations tonight,” I told her gently. “And I want the first time to be slow. I want all day. All night. Not rushed.”
She groaned softly and kissed me again.
“And I need coffee.” I added.
Sawyer rolled onto her back dramatically. “You and your caffeine priorities.”
I leaned over and kissed her one last time, letting it linger. “I need it to survive.” I laughed.
She hooked an arm around my waist before I could get far. “Fine,” Sawyer said while tugging me closer. “But I still get to kiss you again while it brews.”
My smile turned playful. “Deal.”
I slipped out of bed and padded toward the kitchen while sunlight filled the apartment in a warm golden haze. The espresso machine hissed to life as I tied my hair into a messy bun and reached for my favorite mug without thinking. Then I grabbed another for Sawyer.
The scent of coffee filled the space while I made two lattes, one with cinnamon and brown sugar, the other plain with oat milk. Sawyer had told me once that she didn’t like flavor in her coffee, weird, but to each their own.
When I turned around, Sawyer had curled up on the couch under the blanket with her hair still tousled and her eyes heavy with sleep. She looked up at me with a soft smile when I handed her the coffee.
“Plain with oat milk.”
“Thank you,” She took a sip and lifted her eyebrow slightly. “You remembered.”
“I pay attention,” I said with a small shrug, sitting down on the couch beside her.
We sat there for a moment, our legs brushing beneath the blanket, “You want to watch another episode of Buffy?” I asked.
Sawyer smiled easily. “Obviously.”
* * *
The morning moved slowly after that, warm and relaxed. We traded quiet jokes and lazy commentary while the show played. By the end of the second episode her stomach growled loudly enough to make both of us freeze.
“I should probably feed you,” I said with a smile.
“I don’t brunch,” Sawyer muttered, “Just so you know.”
“You do with me,” I laughed.
She nudged my knee with hers. “Fine. For you I will.”
I kissed her cheek and stood. “Good answer.”
We got ready and headed out. We chose a cozy café a few blocks from my place with exposed brick walls, tall windows, and hanging plants that softened the space. We slid into a booth by the window while a tattooed server gave us a knowing smile that I didn’t bother pretending not to notice.
“Why does everything here come with microgreens?” Sawyer asked while studying the menu.
“Gentrification,” I added as I scanned the menu.
“Okay, but what even is shakshuka?” she laughed.
“Fancy eggs in a spicy tomato sauce,” I told her.
“You sure?”
“Are you doubting my food knowledge? I’m hurt.” I teased.
“What do you get? Wait, let me guess. You’re a brioche French toast girl. With berries. And bacon just to keep things chaotic.”
“Turkey bacon,” I corrected. “But you’re terrifyingly accurate.”
She just smiled and shrugged one shoulder. That damn smirk was so cute it was stupid.
When the food arrived, we fell into another comfortable silence that never felt awkward.
“I don’t know what this is,” I said quietly as I met her eyes. “But I really like it.”
“Yeah,” Sawyer smiled back at me. “Me too.”
I exhaled slowly, “I want to keep doing this, but I’m—” How the fuck did I tell her how complicated I was. “—complicated…”
She listened carefully.
“I’ve never been in a relationship with a woman before,” I admitted. “This is new, and it’s a little scary, and I might be bad at it sometimes… but I like you. And I want to do this.”
Her expression softened. “I can do complicated,” Sawyer said. “I like it.”
Relief spread through me. “Yeah?” I teased.
“Yeah,” she replied. “One brunch at a time, okay?”
After brunch Sawyer took me home, my arms wrapped around her waist on the back of the bike, while the city blurred around us. When we pulled up outside my condo, neither of us seemed in much of a hurry to say goodbye. I took off my helmet and handed it back to her, she put it in the side bag.
She reached up and brushed a loose strand of hair behind my ear before kissing me. It was soft and unhurried; the kind of kiss that made my stomach flip anyway.
“I’ll text you later, Sunshine,” she said with a small smile.
“You better,” I replied.
I watched her pull her helmet back on before heading inside, my heart still fluttering in my chest.
* * *