Page 65 of Wanted

Suddenly, images of our future flash in front of me like a movie. Celebrating our first anniversary, Thanksgiving with his mother and mine. Me making my soaps in the kitchen while Lionel reviews his business paperwork at the kitchen counter. Eating fried chicken on the patio.

A future full of laughter and joy. A future full of love.

Expectations and dreams being finally fulfilled.

“You think it’s possible?”

“Nothing is impossible for you, Stella Kral, believe it.” Lionel takes my face in his hands, kissing my mouth slowly, my lips open for his tongue to enter and explore. There is no more urgency, only this flame that makes us burn over low heat. “And here I am, walking by your side, ready to help you make all that your heart desires come true.”

“When you talk like that, you make me believe, Lionel.”

“Then go for it, believe it and kiss me.”

I do what he says. For a long time, there are no more words between us. This time I’m on top, moving at my own pace, rewarded with moans and kisses on my breasts. With caresses on my torso, with looks full of passion.

Our bodies communicate in silence, in the darkness of our room, in a language that only our hearts can decipher.

* * *

“No more Mississippi in this bed,” Lionel mutters as he curls his body around mine. I like this new spooning sleeping arrangement.

“It’s a vast river,” I reply, smiling as I think that there are no more walls between us.

“Not enough to keep me away from you, baby,” he says. “Sooner or later, I would have built a bridge. Construction is my jam, ya know? Nothing could ever separate us.”

Nothing.

He says it, and I want to believe him. I wish I could close my eyes and imagine that danger isn’t lurking in the shadows. No one has told me much about what happened, but the threat is still there, waiting for us to lower our guard.

The thought of losing him while he goes to the office or some job site makes my blood run cold.

Forever. Regardless of the circumstances beyond our control.

What if our forever is too short?Please no, I want to grow old here in this place, this one that has become my favorite, naked and in his arms. Feeling the slow rhythm of his breathing in my ear.

I caress his arm resting on my belly, imagining the moment when a small person grows in it. Not now, of course. But at some point in the distant future.

The sunlight streaming in through the window wakes me up in the morning. Why didn’t I think of closing the curtains last night? Because I was thinking of other things. I reach out without opening my eyes, searching for his warm body, but I only find empty cold sheets.

I stretch, and my body hurts, reminding me of what we did last night and this morning. After our first time, there were two more times. No, I’m not kidding. We were like two horny teenagers who couldn’t get enough of each other.

By the way, what time is it?

I sit in bed, ready to search for my cell phone, when the door opens. Lionel enters, carrying a tray in his hands.

“Good morning, beautiful,” he says with a grin from ear to ear. I definitely won the lottery with this one. “How is my wife this morning?”

I can’t help smiling. He’s so sweet.

And it never ceases to amaze me that this man has chosen me.

“Breakfast,” he announces, leaving the tray beside me.

No, this isn’t a miracle. He didn’t actually cook, or rather burn anything. He’s brought some yogurt, fruit, granola, and juice for both of us.

The gesture reaches my soul, breakfast in bed? Not even my parents on my birthday would do this. No one has ever done this for me, not even him. He really has changed. The Lionel from before would have woken me up complaining that his stomach is growling, and then he would kiss me to get me out of bed… no, I don’t even want to think about it.

“Wow, you’re a resourceful man,” I reply before his lips touch mine in a slow kiss. “Good morning to you, too.”

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