Page 32 of Just a Number

Afterwards, we remain in place, panting, trying to come back down to Earth. Involuntary shivers come and go as my body relaxes from the release. I run my fingers up his spine, enjoying his trembles.That was the best damn sex I’ve ever had.

He eases away, leaving a rough kiss on my temple as he climbs from the bed and makes his way to the ensuite. I hear the tap run and then he’s back, condom removed, and a damp washcloth in his hands. He reaches up and brushes my wild hair behind my ear. “Let’s get you cleaned up.”

He smoothes the warm cloth between my legs and a blush rises on my cheeks.How can it be, with everything we’ve done, that it’s this moment that makes me blush?

He dips down again and brushes his lips to mine. I close my eyes and savour this feeling. This satisfaction that’s settled deep in my bones. Perhaps, as Cassidy suggested, I just needed to get railed seven ways to Sunday.

He leaves again to return the cloth to the bathroom and then comes back through. I open my eyes as the soft pad of his feet signal his approach and watch, with wonder, the confidence he exudes as he walks around my bedroom naked. There is no artifice to him at all.

“Someone should sculpt you,” I tell him, sleepily.

“I’ve done some life modelling, but so far I’ve had some kind of covering.”

“Really? I can’t draw to save my life, but I think I want to come to one of those classes.”

“I’ll let you know when they book me next.” He’s standing by the bed, looking down at me. “Can I stay?”

I look across at the digital clock on my bedside table. It’s the middle of the night. Zack confirmed he’s staying elsewhere, and it’s unlikely that we’ll see him much before noon. I’m not sure that cuddling and actually sleeping together had been in my plans for tonight. But it feels right.

“Please.” I tap the bed beside me and he climbs in. “Permission to wake me up when you’re ready for another round.”

“You sure?”

“Oh yes, I’m not done with you yet. I just need a moment to rest.”

Chapter thirteen

Mel

I’m awake before Alex the next morning. His face is so peaceful in slumber. He woke me once in the night, spooning behind me, while thrusting gently inside me. His hand pressed to my pussy, stroking and teasing while he fucked me. It had been a more gentle orgasm than before, and when we were done, I fell asleep with him still inside me.

But now, a new day is here. I don’t want it to be over, but I know that it has to be.

I’m awake. I’m alive. And I realise that I have been holding myself tightly, closed off from the world since my marriage broke down. I’m grateful for my friends and family, but I haven’t done anything just for myself in a long time. I want to remember this experience with Alex as just that: a gift I gave to myself.

Having sex with someone new should have been awkward and clunky, but it wasn’t. It was perfect. Perhaps I should give another thought to that fate thing that Cassidy keeps blathering on about. How can it be this good if it isn’t meant to be?

I try not to wake him as I ease out of bed. I use the bathroom and wash my face, removing the smudged makeup from last night. I grab the silky robe that hangs on the back of the door and wrap it around my body, tying the belt tight around my waist. I glance at my watch and see that it’s after 10 am. I need to wake him up. Make sure he’s nowhere near this room when Zack comes home.

He’s sprawled out on his back, legs wide, with the sheet pulled up just enough to maintain his modesty.

Ha, not that I didn’t see it all up close last night.

One hand rests on his ribs and the other is thrown above his head. He looks like he sleeps hard. I pause, wondering how best to wake him. I clear my throat, hoping the noise will alert him to my presence, but nothing.

I put a hand on his shoulder and shake. Still nothing.

“Alex, come on, it’s time to wake up.” I detect a slight change in his breathing, but there are no other signs that he’s coming round. I lean in, putting my mouth to his ear.

“Alex, you need to wake up,” I whisper, before I get the shock of my life when his arms come around my waist and pull me on top of him. He still has his eyes closed. The sneaky bastard.

“Alex! Let me go.” He pats my head gently with a shushing sound.

“Let me sleep a little longer,” he rasps.

“You have to get up. Let’s get you through to the guest room and you can sleep some more in there.”

He grunts his annoyance. “And why would I do that when I can sleep here with you?” His hands skim over my back and he squeezes my bum as he tugs me closer. With just my robe and the sheet between us, there’s no disguising his morning wood. “Hmmmm,” he rumbles against me and I detect a slight thrust in his hips as he drives his erection closer to my core.

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