Chapter 16
WHEN THE WORLD STAYS OUTSIDE
WILL
The morning light slipped softly through Natalie’s curtains, casting a warm glow across the room. She was tucked against me, her body fitting perfectly like she belonged there. I’d always wondered what it would be like to wake up next to her, to have her in my arms all night.
That one night last year when she stayed with the kids on my couch due to Madison being drunk and me needing to care for her didn’t count.
Not when she left before sunrise, sneaking out like a secret.
Not when Madison had caught us, standing there in her judgmental teenage glare. That wasn’t a moment to cherish.
But this? This was perfect.
Natalie stirred slightly, her lips curving into the faintest smile.
Her tiny freckle on her nose, looking cute as ever.
Like she could sense my thoughts. She stretched her arms over her head, her hair a mess of waves spilling over her pillow.
When her eyes fluttered open, she looked like a damn fairy tale came to life.
“Hi,” she said softly.
“Hi,” I replied, leaning in for a kiss.
She pulled the sheet up, laughing. “I need to brush my teeth first.”
“Then I guess I should, too. Got a spare?”
“Indeed, I do,” she said, still grinning.
She sat up, clutching the sheet against her chest as she searched for her clothes. I couldn’t resist. I pulled her back down, my lips finding hers again.
She let out a soft laugh, but there was no hesitation in her kiss this time. She melted into me, and my hands moved instinctively, tracing the curves of her body. Her hips arched toward me, and I could feel her wanting me as much as I wanted her.
Within moments, I was inside her, no words needed, no hesitation between us.
Our bodies found a rhythm as if they’d always known it, moving together with a quiet urgency that made the world fall away.
Her soft moans met my breathless murmurs, each one spurring me closer to the edge, but I held back, wanting to remember every second.
Her hands slid over my back, her nails digging in just enough to leave a trace, anchoring me to her.
I kissed her neck, her shoulder, the corner of her mouth as she arched beneath me, her legs tightening around my waist. Watching her come undone in my arms, eyes fluttering shut, lips parted in surrender, was more intoxicating than anything I’d ever known.
When I felt the tension building beyond control, I paused just long enough to whisper, “Is this okay?”
Her breath hitched, and she nodded. “Please,” she whispered, her voice shaky but sure.
That single word undid me.
We gave in together, the moment crashing over us in waves raw, and real. I collapsed onto her, her skin warm and damp against mine, our heartbeats slowly syncing.
As we lay there, catching our breath, I teased, “Now we can brush our teeth.”
She laughed; her cheeks flushed. “Oh my gosh, I hope my breath wasn’t gross.”
“It wasn’t,” I assured her. “You smell like flowers.”
“Liar,” she said, but her smile told me she didn’t believe it.
I slipped on my pants as she found a tee shirt and panties. We stood side by side at the bathroom sink, brushing our teeth together. It felt…normal. Like this was something we’d done a hundred times before.
I stayed on her side of the double vanity, instinctively avoiding what must have been Jason’s side. It wasn’t my place.
When we finished, Natalie turned on the shower and looked over her shoulder. “Shall we move into here?”
“Why yes, I love showering with you,” I said, my voice playful.
The shower was steamy and slippery, and I couldn’t keep my hands off her. I kissed her neck, her shoulders, her back. When I turned her around, water running over her skin, I dropped to my knees, letting the spray fall across us both.
She gasped as I pressed my mouth to her, her body arching back against the tiles. My hands held her hips steady, guiding her as she raked her fingers through my hair. Her moans echoed off the walls, louder than the rush of water.
“Don’t stop,” she murmured.
I moved harder, slower giving her all the permission she’d given me. Her thighs trembled as she clung to me for balance. She pressed herself forward when she came.
We didn’t speak. We didn’t need to. She sagged against the wall, spent and glowing, while I rose and pulled her into my arms, her head resting against my chest.
Eventually she looked up at me with that blissful, satisfied smile and reached for a towel.
“I’m going to make us some breakfast,” she said, pressing a kiss to my lips before slipping out of the bathroom, barefoot, dripping, and completely mine.
I took a moment to glance around her room while getting dressed. It was neat but lived-in, a reflection of her personality. A picture of her kids sat on the dresser, and a white jewelry box painted with sparkles and pink streaks—Bebe’s handiwork, no doubt—rested beside it.
These small, personal touches made me feel closer to her, like I was seeing a side of Natalie that had been forbidden before.
The smell of coffee and bacon greeted me as I walked downstairs.
“Hello,” she said, turning to smile at me as she flipped the bacon.
I stepped behind her, kissing her cheek. She giggled, the sound lighting up the room.
“How can I help?” I asked.
“Grab plates from that cabinet,” she said, nodding toward the kitchen island.
I followed her instructions, then poured coffee for us, remembering how she liked it.
“I know you have a sweet tooth,” I teased as I placed her mug on the counter.
She smiled, a little shy. “Bad addiction.”
“I like it,” I said, watching her as she plated our breakfast.
We sat at the counter, eating like we did this every morning. It felt easy, natural, like a life we could have together.
My phone buzzed on the counter, pulling me out of the moment. It was a text from Blake.
Blake: Hey baby, just thinking about you. Hope your headache is better.
I wanted to ignore it, to stay in this bubble with Natalie, but she noticed my hesitation.
“You can respond,” she said softly.
“It’s okay,” I replied, setting the phone down. She didn’t push, but I could tell she knew exactly who it was.
After breakfast, we cleaned up, and Natalie suggested a trip to the farmer’s market.
“I thought we’d spend all day in bed, naked,” I said with a smirk, picking her up and carrying her back to her room.
She laughed, and we tumbled onto the bed. The rest of the day blurred into naps, a movie, and more moments of lovemaking and laughter.
We must have fallen asleep. By the time I checked my phone again, the sun was hanging lower, and it was almost 5:30. Blake had texted three more times:
Blake: Just checking to see if you’re okay.
Blake: I’m starting to get worried.
Blake: Are you alive?
Will: Sorry, I lost my phone in the Uber. Just got it back.
I was turning into a lying asshole.
Her response was immediate, followed by a photo of her in lingerie:
Blake: Thank goodness. Call me later if you want to come over.
I knew I wouldn’t.
Natalie stirred beside me, stretching her arms over her head. “
“What time is it?” She asked sleepily.
“A little after 5:30.”
“Oh no, I need to get up. I have a girls’ night to get ready for.”
I smiled. “Sounds hot.”
She rolled her eyes, checking her phone. “My Uber’s coming at seven. I have to do something about this hair.”
“It looks perfect to me,” I said.
She started rummaging through her closet while I gathered my clothes.
“What are you doing tonight?”
“Meeting Evan for dinner at eight. I better head home.”
I walked over to her, tilting her chin up to kiss her. “I loved today.”
“Me too,” she said, her eyes soft.
“Come over after your girls’ night?” I asked.
“Isn’t that too much time together?” she teased.
“Not for me,” I said. “Pack a bag. I’ll take it with me, so you’ll have what you need.”
She hesitated for a moment before nodding, grabbing a small bag and tossing in a few things.
I kissed her one last time before heading out, knowing I’d spent the rest of the night thinking about her.