Page 109 of Embody

Thirty-Five

Bellamy

I WAKE UPhappier than I’ve ever been in my entire life. I’m not disoriented. I don’t need a minute to gather my bearings. I know exactly why I’m hotter than usual and whose big, strong body is wrapped around me from behind, emitting that heat.

“Ah, she wakes,” his gravely greeting is joined by a kiss on my shoulder. “Morning.”

“Morning,” my voice shakes a bit with realization. I just said “morning” to a man. A man in my bed. A man I love, and now fear I may never be able to sleep truly at peace without again. “Do you want some coffee?”

“Nope,” he tightens his arms around me and tugs me to him, impossibly close, nothing between his rigid chest, very noticeable erection and my body except my panties. “Don’t want you going anywhere either. Happy where I am, holding you.”

“Me too,” I whisper, trying desperately not to ruin this magical moment by overthinking.Damn female hormones…always demanding that every little thing be dissected, examined, discussed and put back together again. Does it make us thesmarterof the sexes to think so much…or the true masochists?

“You tensed up on me, and I can smell the smoke,” he laughs groggily. “Whatcha thinking about? And before you say ‘nothing,’ how ‘bout you just tell me? You can tell me anything, baby.”

He’s right; I know I can open up to him and while he may be a tiny bit of a smartass, because he simply cannot help it, taught to him like a second language—he won’tmockme. And “love?” Pretty sure communication is a key component.

“I was just wondering, how you feel, in the light of day?”

“Good,” he squeezes me and brushes his nose along my bare skin. “Damn good. Why?”

“No, I mean…” I chew on my lip, hoping to taste courage.

“Bellamy,” he rolls me over to face him…and I forget everything but him. All sleep-rumpled and sinfully sexy. Half-lidded eyes, mussed hair, the hint of dark stubble along his jawline. And let’s not forget the bare chest and shoulders, still fragrant with the lingering hint of his cologne, tan and taut with lean muscle.Damn. I bite my lip harder. “Are you feeling weird about us sleeping together?”

I shake my head, gaze unwavering from each and every ridge of his torso, so I can’t be sure if he’s afflicted by the same problem—eyes on bare chest or not.

“Are you anxious, thinking I’m gonna try something?”

Again, I silently answer no, subtly shifting so the sheets follow suit and bare more of him,lower.

He doesn’t seem to notice, or mind, being ogled and keeps guessing. “Are you nervous to go away with me? You know we’re heading to my Uncle’s today.”

“No,” I auto-reply, trailing that “V” with my eyes, imagining exactly, in great detail, what it leads to, my breathing accelerating. “I love being with you, and I could use some practice driving.”

“Baby, I’m out of guesses. And I’m having trouble thinking about anything other than the way you’re staring at me like a meal you wanna eat, while your sweet lil’ nipples are an inch from my mouth. Which, are both totally acceptable,” he chuckles. “Dig in anytime you’re ready. I’ll catch up.”

I dart my eyes up to his, my cheeks flaming. “Sorry, I couldn’t help it. You’re just so tempting.”

“Says the beautiful woman with the most gorgeous breasts in the world and barely there panties on,” he groans. “Yeah, I think I know what ya mean.”

“Want me to get dressed?” Yes, I’m being a tease. I know the answer.

“I would rather get my dick stuck in a wood chipper.” He says it so unemotionally, I have to giggle. “I feel like we’ve gotten a little off-track here. I wanted to know what you were stewing about and somehow, we ended up on wood chippers and my dick. So unless you’re gonna devour my body with more than your eyes, let’s get back to what had you worried before.”

It was a fun little detour, and soon, very soon, I’m gonna go exploring on that work-of-art body of his—but there’s something eating at me. I give him a kiss, closed mouth (‘cause morning breath) then pull in a long, deep breath through my nose…turning my head to exhale (‘cause morning breath).

“Baby,” he laughs, “we both have morning breath, so they cancel each other out. Now give me a real kiss,” he scarcely gets it out before claiming my mouth in an easy, drugging kiss that sends my belly swirling wildly. His tongue traces my lips, delves inside to overpower mine and after a few sweet caresses of his lips, he leans back. “Time’s up, gorgeous. Talk.”

“I wanted to ask, discuss,whatever,” I roll my eyes at myself—if you know you’re being a dramatic loon you should probably shut up—but no…I go on, “us. Now that the sexy music, darkness, stars overhead and vibe are gone, and we’re just laying here in daylight, with morning breath and crusties in the corners of our eyes,” he smiles at that, “I wanted to give you a chance to retract your ‘I love you.’”

Rut ro.He’s sitting up, back against the headboard, the taut muscles in his jaw twitching while his incensed yet saddened dark eyes bore into mine, before I can think. Not quite the reaction I was expecting.

His stern, agonized voice cuts through the silence in a single slice. “What. The. Fuck?Do you want to retract yours?” I open my mouth to respond, but he’s not done. “You think I said that lightly? That I just go around saying ‘I love you’ when I’m feeling extra friendly? No!” Both hands fly back through his hair and an angry rumble rips up his chest. “I said it toyou,only ever you, because I meant it, with all I am.”

“Je-”

“Not done, woman,” he holds up a hand to stop me. “When Brynn told me I’d said it, yes, I admit, I freaked out for a sec. But then I thought about it.Reallythought about it. Put it to scientific test.”

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