Page 101 of Catch and Release

“I, uh…” Shawn cleared his throat as he got into bed next to her. “Not sure I can handle round two yet.”

She laughed. “I know. I was just thinking…” she curled her body into his, running her fingers along his chest and resting her head on his shoulder. “You should spend the night.”

Shawn tightened his grip on her body and tugged her closer. “I’d love to.”

He shot a quick text to Grams that he’d be home late and not to wait up, hoping she wouldn’t read too much into it.

“Maybe tomorrow you can bring a toothbrush here,” Willa sleepily whispered. “And some clothes.”

Shawn thought his heart would burst from happiness, as he gently moved wisps of hair out of her face.

Exhausted from the orgasms he gave her earlier, Willa quickly drifted, her eyes shuttering as her breathing turned heavy. He watched her fall asleep, still disbelieving that she was really his. And as she started lightly snoring, he whispered into her hair, “I love you,” before shutting his eyes and falling asleep.

28

The sound of a zipper woke Willa up. She blinked her eyes open and reached her arm to the warm space next to her where Shawn had been.

“Shawn?” she mumbled sleepily.

“Right here, Greene,” he said, kneeling next to the bed and kissing her forehead.

“What’reyoudoin?” Willa asked, her words slurring together as she fought the urge to fall back asleep. She felt a warm hand cup her cheek and she smiled. “What time issit?”

He chuckled. “It’s 5 a.m. I’m heading back home so Grams doesn’t get suspicious.”

A pang of sadness hit her chest, and she felt stupid for being so bummed. She wasn’t ready for Ida to know. He was just respecting her request. But she didn’t want him to leave—his warmth, his presence made her feel safe. She grabbed his shirt with her fingers and tugged him in for a kiss.

“You’re making it hard to leave,” he whispered against her lips and she giggled.

“I don’t want you to.”

He groaned. “Willa…”

Shawn pulled away from the kiss and she pouted. He laughed as he tugged the blankets over her and tucked her in.

“Go back to sleep, baby,” he whispered. “I’ll see you later, okay?”

“‘Kay.”

She rolled over and closed her eyes. She heard the door click shut as he left, then drifted back to sleep shortly after that.

When Willa woke up several hours later, her clock read 10 a.m. and she smiled to herself as she remembered everything that happened the night before. She was nervous—scared to end up in a bad situation again. But she trusted Shawn, and she was starting to trust herself again, too. Having him spend the night was the best way to seal their new deal.

She rolled out of bed, and after lighting incense, stretching, and mediating, she checked her phone. She had a few texts, but the one from Shawn made her heart leap.

Date night tonight? Pick you up at 7?

She grinned and texted back.

Sounds perfect.

“Where ya goin’, Scooby?”

Shawn had briefly considered climbing out his window to avoid this encounter. After all, he wasn’t wearing swim trunks or a t-shirt.

He was wearing real clothes. Jeans. A button-down shirt. A belt.

His hair had been brushed, for Christ’s sake.

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