Page 101 of Verses

“Okay. That sounds good.” I was comforted just knowing that Wolf was mine. And maybe keeping it a secret would make it more fun—like when Kyle and I first hooked up in high school. Shortly after that, I was living in his home in an extra bedroom in the basement of his house…and Kyle visited me often in the middle of the night. It added an exciting element to an already fun activity.

And on that thought, dreaming of clandestine sex with my gorgeous older boyfriend, I drifted off to sleep in his arms and slept better than I had in months.

I awakenedto light streaming in the bedroom window. As I sat up, realizing I’d slept through the night, I heard Wolf somewhere in the house rustling around. I got up and peed in his bathroom and then I looked around the room. It was chilly, especially thefloor against my feet, and so I tried to hurry as I found my clothes scattered about.

But then I saw the Harley t-shirt he’d worn the night before on the floor. I picked it up, breathing in his scent, and pulled it over my head. Then I put on my boots so I could avoid the chill of the floor.

As I wandered out of the bedroom, I caught a whiff of coffee. That sounded amazing, even though I’d slept more than usual the night before. Even working in a coffee shop hadn’t dampened my love of java. Thinking about Early Rise reminded me that I was glad I’d asked to take Saturday off, because I was so giddy and happy.

Was I in love?

No, even though it felt like it. It had to be the hormones talking. I’d seen it with my mom hundreds of times before she wound up with Phil. The first week when she was dating a guy, it was all sunshine and roses, but it didn’t take long for the shine to wear off. Before I knew it, she was calling themno good motherfuckersand throwing their clothes in the front yard.

And the same could maybe be said for me. Kyle and I had been happy for a while, but it wasn’t long after we moved out of his mom’s house that we started fighting. It wasn’t just about the drug use. It was also about not keeping the place clean and arguing over bills.

I had to face facts: if Wolf and I spent any time together, that would also happen to us. It was inevitable—and I deserved nothing less. I just felt glad that I’d have this happy time to look back on when the going got rough.

Heading out of the bedroom, I followed my nose to the kitchen, but I no longer heard Wolf moving around. Had he maybe had to leave? The coffee pot was on and I realized the oven was too. As I started searching around for a coffee mug, I saw a few wisps smoke out the back window and figured outwhere Wolf was. After pouring some coffee, finding where he kept his sugar, and pouring a few drops of milk in the hot liquid, I stirred it and then headed to the back door.

There he was, in a coat with a mug of coffee sitting next to the barbecue grill, a huge pair of tongs in his hand. My heart swelled at the sight of him, looking all masculine and contemplative.

Was that normal for him when he was alone?

I opened the kitchen door, but it wasn’t until I did the same with the storm door that he realized I was there. I smiled and waved and decided to brave the cold, stepping out onto the patio.

“Good morning, sunshine. You might want to get your coat.”

“Yeah. It’s a little brisk.”

“Look at you in that shirt. Jesus Christ, you’re gonna give me a heart attack.”

“Heart—?” I started laughing, but I knew why he’d said that. It was punctuated by my hardened nipples and goosebumps on my arms, followed by shivering.

“You need to head inside, songbird. I’ll be there soon.”

“Hold on.” I hurried back inside and removed my coat from the rack where Wolf had hung it the night before. Although it only covered my top half, I knew I’d be warm enough to stay outside for a bit, even with the cold seeping into my bones on my bare legs. Once I had the coat zipped up, I picked my coffee up again and headed out.

When Wolf saw me again, he stood and said, “That’s alittlemore reasonable.”

Grinning, I replied, “I neverclaimedto be reasonable.” Feeling quite emboldened, I walked straight to him and stood on my tiptoes to give him a kiss on the cheek—but he gave me a kiss on the lips.

Hmm. I’d have to brush my teeth so I could get arealkiss…but I was quite happy already.

I asked, “So what are you cooking?”

“Last night’s steaks. I don’t know about you, but I worked up an appetite.”

“Yep. I’m hungry.”

“Good. The baked potatoes should be done by the time we head in, and there’s already a salad in the fridge. Anything else you want?”

Teasing, I said, “How about bacon and toast?”

His eyes twinkled, but I wasn’t sure why. “If you spend the night at my house, you have to be prepared to eat anything for breakfast.”

To that, I simply raised my eyebrows.

He grinned and opened the lid of the grill, and I relished the feel of the heat on my legs, keeping me from shivering again. I said, “Sorry I feel asleep last night.”

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