Page 77 of Tell Me Again

It’s a mistake to have closed my eyes, though, because it’s like only a second passes, and then his alarm is going off. He groans and reaches out to grab his phone. The buzzing is silenced when he swipes up, and then he turns around in my arms and cuddles up against me.

“Mmm. This is... really nice,” he murmurs. And he kisses my neck lightly as one of his legs moves to rest on top of mine. “I’ve never, uh, woken up next to someone before.”

I have, of course. Brenna and I have been sharing a bed for several months now. But I don’t need to say that right now. And in any case, this is so different, I’m not even sure it’s comparable. “It’s so good to be here,” I say instead, and my voice is much lower than I’d meant it to be. “There’s nowhere else I’d rather wake up. Every day.”

That was apparently the right thing to say, because he shifts in my arms, and even in the dark, I can see him looking up at me and grinning. And it’s a gorgeous, happy smile. We come together in a brief kiss that’s all love and hope. At least, that’s what I’m feeling.

He pulls away too soon, mumbling something about needing to get moving so he’s not late, and I nod and then fall back onto the bed after he gets up. I don’t usually get up quite this early, and after our night together last night, I’m still tired. But I turn over with a groan and watch as he switches on the light and then pads over to the dresser and pulls out some clothes. He disappears into the bathroom a moment later.

Something tells me he’s probably just as tired as I am, and so I drag myself up, throw on my pants, and head out into the kitchen to get a pot of coffee started. He joins me about ten minutes later, dressed in a plain pair of jeans and one of his blue work shirts. Why he looks sexy in that this morning, I’m not sure. But the look in his eyes as he closes the distance between us makes the heat flare in my chest.

His hands settle on my bare stomach and then trace up my chest. And I groan as he presses himself up against me.

“I could get used to this,” he says, and he bends down and touches his lips to my throat. There’s a hum against my skin. “Mmm, you taste good.”

“There’s the leftover cheesecake if you’re hungry for—ah, god—” He’s sucking on that same spot on my neck, and it’s too intense for a minute, sending a rush of warmth and arousal straight to my groin. It doesn’t help when his hips rock against me. God.

“I’m only hungry for you,” he rasps.

Sexy voice. His sexy voice is back. God, I wish we had more time. “I...”

He kisses me gently one more time and then pulls back and straightens up. His eyes are dark and full of the same emotions I felt in his kiss before he’d gotten out of bed.

“I wish I didn’t have to leave.” He shifts away from me a step and then reaches up to rub the back of his neck as he glances at the now-full coffee pot. “Th-thanks for, uh, making coffee.”

“You’re welcome,” I say quietly.

His eyes are on me again, and there’s a small smile on my lips as his gaze seems to wander across my chest. I bet he’s not even aware that he’s doing that other sexy thing where he bites at his lower lip. But, god, I’m aware. I’m very aware. When his eyes finally lift back up to my face again, there’s this deep desire in them that’s just so incredibly arousing. But he blinks and groans and shakes his head.

“I want you. Again. Now. But . . .”

God. Me too. I’m reminded of how it felt to be inside of him last night. Tight and hot, his muscles clenching around me as he came, his arms clinging to me, his moan low and deep and rough.

I want him so much now it almost hurts. But, god, he has to go to work.

I let out a short breath and nod, then turn away to pour him a cup of coffee. I need to make this easier on him, not harder. And every minute we spend just staring at each other like that...

I pick up his mug and offer it to him with what I hope is a silly smile. “I guess I should have put a shirt on?”

He laughs, and it’s a deep, full laugh. Then, he takes the mug from my hand, sets it back on the counter, and slips both arms around my waist again. His lips are on my neck almost immediately, his breath warm against my skin. “I happen to be very, very thankful that you didn’t.”

We both get lost for a moment. My hands slide up his chest and around to the back of his neck, and he kisses me, his hot tongue teasing at my throat before he sucks gently at that spot low on my neck.

“Godddddd,” I moan, and I guess I’ve forgotten about making this easier, because I turn us around so his back is to the counter and then press myself up against him. He groans, and I think he nips at my neck, but then he’s kissing me softly again, his lips soothing. And he lets both hands slip down to grip my ass, pulling me closer to him. God, he’s hard, and I suck in a sharp breath as I feel him throb against me.

“Ahh, fuck. It’s gonna be a long day,” he says, a mixture of longing and frustration in his voice. He straightens up slightly with a groan.

Helping him leave. I’m supposed to be helping him leave, not torturing him with the reminder of... god, last night. I close my eyes as I let my hands drop from around his neck, and then I steady myself with several measured breaths. When I open my eyes again, he’s watching me with a bit of a knowing expression. I clear my throat.

“You’re working a double? When’s your break? I’ll meet you, or...”

He shakes his head and frowns. “My break’s around two, but I’ve gotta run to Angie’s and let Piper out. I... I’m sorry. My Friday schedule’s fucking screwed up. But, um, I-I really need the hours...”

Something in his tone makes my stomach drop, and I’m stepping back up to him again and lifting my hands to his face before I even really know why.

“It’s okay. Really.” I kiss his lips softly, and when I pull back, he’s sort of at least half-smiling now. “It’ll just be even better when I get to see you tonight, after your shift is over.”

His half-smile grows into something fuller, and he nods. “And I guess I wouldn’t object if you were to, you know, come in for a bit, maybe... around ten? After the breakfast rush but before lunch. Just so I can see you.”

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