Page 15 of You Give Wine a Bad Name

Bowie tightened his arms around me, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. “For what?”

“For being here,” I said, closing my eyes as I snuggled closer to him, feeling a warmth spread through me that had nothing to do with the physical connection we had just shared. “For making me feel safe.”

He didn’t respond with words, but the way he held me, the way he pressed another gentle kiss to my forehead, told me everything I needed to know. He was here and he wasn’t going anywhere. And for the first time in a long time, I felt like maybe, just maybe, I could be okay. And maybe this was something I could finally let myself believe in.

Chapter Eight

Bowie

I woke up to the soft glow of late afternoon sunlight spilling into the room, bathing everything in a warm, golden hue. Angie was nestled against me, her head on my chest, her body perfectly molded to mine as if we were two pieces of a puzzle that had finally found their match. Her hair fanned out across my skin, silky strands tickling my bare chest with every rise and fall of her breathing. The calm after our earlier storm of passion was a welcome change, a quiet intimacy that felt both fragile and powerful.

For a moment, I didn’t move. I just lay holding her, savoring the simplicity of the moment. I couldn’t remember the last time I felt this content, this at peace. Everything about her felt right, like she belonged here in my arms, and I couldn’t help but wonder how I got so lucky. She was a mystery to me, this woman with the voice of an angel, and I wanted nothing more than to spend every waking moment discovering every little piece of her.

Angie stirred, her eyelids fluttering open as she shifted against me, her body stretching out in a languid motion that sent a ripple of warmth through me. Her lips curved into a sleepy smile when our eyes met, and for a second, I forgot about everything else—every worry, every obligation—everything except her.

“Good morning…or, well, afternoon,” I said softly, my fingers brushing a strand of hair away from her face.

“Afternoon?” she murmured, her voice still thick with sleep. “I didn’t realize we slept that long.”

“Neither did I,” I admitted, letting out a soft chuckle. “But I think we both needed it.”

She nodded, a contemplative look in her gorgeous green eyes as she snuggled closer, resting her head against my chest. I could tell she was already slipping into her thoughts, that the reality of the world outside was creeping back in, but I wasn’t ready to let go of this moment just yet.

“We should probably eat something,” I said, my voice low as I pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “I’m starving, and I bet you are too.”

“Yeah, food sounds good,” she replied, her stomach giving a small rumble as if to agree. She laughed softly, the sound like music to my ears. “I could really go for some pancakes, as weird as that sounds.”

“Pancakes it is,” I said, reaching for my phone on the nightstand. I pulled up the menu of a bakery I knew nearby that served the best all-day breakfast, tapping in an order for a stack of pancakes, crispy bacon, and scrambled eggs. “There’s this place that does fancy pancakes—really thick, fluffy ones. I’ll order the works for both of us. You’ll love it.”

“Perfect,” she said, shifting to sit up, the sheet slipping down her body, revealing the smooth curve of her back. My eyes followed the movement, captivated by the way the light danced across her skin. She caught me staring and shot me a playful look over her shoulder. “Care to join me for a shower while we wait?”

My heart skipped a beat at the suggestion, the memory of our passion still fresh in my mind. “I’d love to.”

We moved together to the bathroom, the air between us charged with the same electricity that had been there since the moment we first met. The bathroom was soon filled with the sound of water cascading down, steam rising as we stepped under the hot spray together. The water was a welcome sensation, washing away the remnants of sleep, the tension that still lingered in our muscles. I reached for the soap, lathering it in my hands before running them over her shoulders, down her arms, and across her back.

Her smooth ivory skin was like silk under my fingertips, and I couldn’t resist leaning in, pressing my lips to the nape of her neck. Angie let out a soft moan, tilting her head to the side to give me better access as I trailed kisses along her collarbone, up to her jawline. The sound of her voice, the way her body reacted to my touch, sent a jolt of desire through me that was impossible to ignore.

“Bowie…” she breathed, and I recognize the mix of longing and need and in her voice.

I turned her in my arms, our bodies sliding against each other as the water continued to pour down. Her lips found mine in a kiss that was both tender and urgent, her hands tangling in my hair as she pulled me closer. I could feel the heat building between us, the same fire that had consumed us last night, and I knew there was no stopping it now. We were like two magnets drawn to each other, the pull between us undeniable.

My hands roamed the soft curves of her body, memorizing every curve, every dip of her skin, as our kiss deepened. Her fingers grazed over my shoulders, down my back, leaving a trail of heat in their wake. I couldn’t get enough of her, the way she felt, the way she tasted. The shower, the water, everything else faded into the background, leaving just the two of us lost in each other.

When we finally pulled apart, both of us breathless, I rested my forehead against hers, trying to catch my breath. “I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of you,” I murmured, my voice rough with desire.

“Good,” she whispered back, her lips brushing against mine. “Because I feel the same way.”

We moved together again, this time slower, more deliberate, savoring every touch, every kiss. The water cascaded around us, creating a cocoon of warmth that only added to the intensity of the moment. Every touch was electric, a promise of something deeper, something more. I wanted to memorize every inch of her, to make sure she knew just how much I wanted her, how much I needed her.

By the time we stepped out of the shower, both of us were thoroughly spent, our bodies humming with satisfaction. I wrapped a towel around her and pressed a kiss to her damp hair before letting her go.

“I’ll grab the food,” I said, giving her a smile. “It surely must have arrived by now. Meet you in the kitchen?”

She nodded, her eyes still a bit dazed from the intensity of our time together. “I’ll be there in a minute.”

I watched her as she turned to the mirror, grabbing a brush to run through her hair. She was beautiful, the kind of beautiful that took my breath away every time I looked at her. And even though I knew there were a million things we still had to figure out, I couldn’t help but hope that this was the start of something real, something lasting.

As she picked up the blow-dryer, I headed out of the bathroom to collect our food. The delivery person had left the bags on the porch, and I grabbed them, carrying them into the kitchen. The space was filled with natural light, the large windows offering a stunning view of the ocean beyond the canyon. It was one of those scenes that made you stop and take a breath, made you appreciate the beauty of the world around you. Part of me was still coming to terms with the fact that this place, this view, was really mine. One thing I knew for sure was that there would never be a moment when I would take it for granted.

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