Page 53 of Love Her

Chapter 24

Connor

After hours of exploring each other with our hands and mouths, Lis and I satisfied another craving with a couple of grilled cheese sandwiches before slipping between the covers. Curled into my side, she has one leg strewn across mine, her head resting on my shoulder as she traces circles over my chest. I know she’s exhausted, but still she refuses to sleep.

“Do your parents go out of town often?”

“Maybe every six weeks or so? My mom has her store, and while she could hire someone to manage it, it’s her baby and she can’t seem to let go.”

“Did you ever work there?”

At my question, her body stiffens in my arms. Tightening my hold, hoping to offer comfort, she relaxes.

“Would you believe my mom fired me?”

“She did?”

“Yep. In her defense, I was a terrible employee. Punctuality wasn’t exactly a priority for me, and I was more than a bit selfish as a teenager. Then, when we moved back here, I was a mess and honestly nobody would have shopped there anyway if I was working. Instead, I focused on learning to parent and adjust to a very different lifestyle than I’d been living.”

She’s mentioned a few times about her prior life. My mind has been more focused on the way her ex treated her, or didn’t treat her as it turns out, that I’ve never asked what was left behind.

“Lifestyle?”

Sighing, she lifts up to rest her chin on my chest. Eyes heavy, I can see how the late hour has depleted any energy she had right out of her body. Her lips are swollen and her hair a mess. She looks like a woman who has been thoroughly loved to orgasm multiple times.

“We were very wealthy. Well, my ex was at least. I was a naïve girl when we met, mesmerized by a well-spoken older man who showered me with presents and attention. I felt like a princess, and it was everything I dreamed of growing up. In my mind he was going to keep me from ever returning to this small town and the lifestyle it brings. The irony, right?”

Her laughter is strained. Forced and insincere.

“If I was a horrible person as a teenager, the woman I became on his arm was worse. Selfish and arrogant. Gosh, I was so selfish. After many years and a few major moments in our lives, I began to see things differently. By the time Jacob was born, I knew the fairy tale was all in my head. He never truly loved me.”

Yawning, she shifts to her side and I follow suit, spooning her from behind, holding her close. No further words are spoken, and it isn’t long before her breathing changes and she’s asleep. Her words occupy my thoughts as I try to envision this past version of herself. It’s so contrary to the woman wrapped in my arms. I don’t see selfish or hateful. She isn’t cruel or spiteful like she’s made herself out to be. The Lis I know is the complete opposite, and I wonder why she’s not shown this version of herself to many people.

A crashing sound jars me awake. Startled, it takes me a few beats to figure out where I am. Lis’s bedroom. Clanking and a string of swear words put a smile on my face. With my brain a little foggy, I look around for a clock but don’t see one. Lis wouldn’t let me sleep too late since it’s picture day and we both have to be at the field this morning.

I throw back the covers and place my feet on the floor. Running my hand down my face, I’m slow to move. Once the initial fog lifts from my brain, I push up from the bed and search for my boxers and shorts. Slipping both on, I meander down the hallway, a much slower pace than I initially took last night. Following the aroma of cooking bacon to the kitchen, I pause before making my presence known. Standing at the counter dressed in only my T-shirt is the woman who has single-handedly flipped my simple world upside down. Those legs just may be the death of me. It’s a quiet groan of appreciation but enough to startle Lis. With a spatula in her hand, she spins and screams.

“Sweet hell. You scared the shit out of me.”

“Expectin’ someone else, darlin’?” I may have added a little extra drawl to my question, which is fine because I’m rewarded with a hooded gaze that says we may be having more than bacon for breakfast.

“You can’t darlin’ me this early. And half-naked. We don’t have time for whatever scenario you’re piecing together.”

Stalking toward her, I cage her against the counter and squat to eye level. “Baby, there’s always time. But, you’re right. Once we get started, we may not stop. Besides, I only had the one condom. Is there coffee?”

Nodding, Lis points in the direction of a waiting cup and coffee pot. I pour myself a cup of fuel as she spoons a potato and egg scramble onto plates and places a few slices of bacon on each. We both take a plate and settle in at the island.

“This is delicious, thank you.”

“Don’t get too excited. It’s the only thing I can make.”

“I do recall the burnt popcorn.”

She smacks my arm playfully and we both laugh. After a few more bites and a sip of coffee, I touch on a subject I’ve been thinking about all week. I’m not sure how she’ll respond. Some women would say it’s too soon, but I hope after what we shared last night, and as close as I think we’ve become, she’ll be on the same page as I am.

“So, today we’ll be at the field.”

“Uh huh,” she murmurs before taking a sip of her coffee.

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