Page 134 of Close Knit

“You’re so beautiful, Daphne,” I whisper. “This gorgeous hair, long legs, your beautiful body…every part of you is perfect.”

She grins, a twinkle in her eye. “I like hearing that. It makes me feel good.”

“Does it now?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.

She tilts her head ever so slightly, her eyes locking onto mine. “Yes, Mr. Grunts-instead-of-using-his-words.”

A laugh escapes my lips as I give her a playful pat on the butt. “I guess I save my words for you.”

“And I cherish every single one.”

Her reaction gives me a hesitant boost of confidence to open up. If there was ever a right moment to tell her how Daphne makes my heart race, it’s now. My hands move across her skin, tentative yet deliberate. “I want to take care of every part of you,” I murmur. “I like showing you just how much you mean to me.” She exhales, pressing into my touch. “When I kiss you, it’s like I’m somewhere else. Feeling you under my lips, tasting the faint salt of your sweat. It…it makes me feel alive.”

“As alive as when you’re glaring at everyone from the goalpost?”

“Better,” I respond without hesitation, surprising even myself. My hand moves slowly down to her lower back, tracing the curve of her hips as I continue the massage. I press a gentle kiss to her shoulder, my voice softening. “I can’t get enough of these legs,” I admit, my lips brushing against her ear. “The first time I saw you in that long, colorful sweater, you knocked the wind out of me.”

“I wasn’t just a sweater with legs, was I?” she teases.

“You were so much more,” I reply, grinning. “Especially with all those seams you showed me.”

She laughs a sound that makes my heart do a little flip. “We definitely didn’t admire my mattress stitch on that rainbow sweater nearly enough.”

I smirk, my tone dripping with mock seriousness. “Shame on us. Guess we’ll have to admire what’s on the mattress now.”

In the background,Before Sunriseplays softly, the TV casts a warm, golden glow around our cozy little haven. The atmosphere is just right, and I let myself relax, savoring the moment.

“You’re getting all mushy on me now.”

“Don’t get used to it. This is a one-time deal,” I grumble, but the smile on my face gives me away.

“Oh, sure.” She laughs, playfully rolling her eyes. “I believe that.”

I try to ignore the warm feeling spreading in my chest. “You’re right, I like spoiling you too much.”

“You really do.”

“You are my sunshine, Daphne,” I say, my voice gruff but sincere. I move down her legs, onto her thighs and calves. I pause, taking a moment to admire her. This feels right. “You are precious to me,” I murmur, massaging her feet as she giggles. I kiss each toe, earning more laughter. “From the tips of your toes to the crown of your head. Every part of you is special to me.”

“You went into the wrong career with football when your hands can be put to such good use,” she jokes as I finish the massage and gently pull her pajama shirt down, smoothing out the wrinkles on her shorts. “Honestly, if you keep this up, I might just marry you.”

“Promises, promises,” I mutter, putting socks on her feet, making sure she’s comfortable and warm.

We cuddle up in bed, her head resting on my chest. I turn up the movie, and we lie there, enjoying each other’s company.

After the movie ends, she sniffles. “It gets me every time.”

I chuckle, wiping a stray tear off my cheek. “Me too.”

She grins, snuggling closer. Her eyes drag up to mine before they float up to the panoramic windows above us. “Oh my god, they’re here.” She points upward. I follow her gaze and see the aurora borealis, ribbons of neon greens and pinks undulating across the night sky.

But honestly, the real show is Daphne. I watch her watching it, her pupils wide with wonder. This is my favorite view—her face lit up by the celestial light show.

“What?” she asks me, catching my gaze with a smile.

“Nothing. Just you,” I say, wrapping my arm around her. “Come here.”

We lie back, moving under the blankets, and she rests her head on my chest. Her lavender hair cascades over both of us, and I can’t help but think how perfect this moment is.

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