Page 96 of In the Long Run
‘I swear I’m not doing this on purpose,’ Celeste says, then explains that someone ran a red light and sideswiped her Corolla.She’s fine, but her car isn’t.
‘It’s not your fault,’ I whisper, and it isn’t, as much as I hate that I’m going to have to extricate myself from the warmth of Gen’s body and all her sleepy sounds.Her hands wander when she sleeps, and I’d had high hopes for this morning.Hopes that involved spending some time inherbed.
‘The plumbers will be at Alizée’s in fifteen minutes.’
I sigh.‘I’m on it.’
‘Why are you talking so softly?Do you have company?’
‘Yes.’
‘That’s awesome!It’s Gen, right?’
Like it would be anyone else.
‘Of course it’s Gen.’
‘I’m sorry to interrupt.’
‘These things happen,’ I murmur for what feels like the fiftieth time in the last forty-eight hours.‘Let me know if you need a lift once the tow truck arrives.’
‘I’ll figure something out.’
Once we’ve disconnected, I allow myself a few seconds to take in the scene in front of me.Gen’s burrowed down under the covers, arms wrapped around my chest.Her lips are still puffy and red, and there’s a small bruise on her shoulder.Dishevelled looks fucking fantastic on her.
‘Gen,’ I whisper, running my hand up and down her side.
She stirs, pressing her face into my chest.‘No getting up.Run later.’Sleepiness slurs her speech.
I’d like to hear what she sounds like when she comes like this.All husky and rumbly.Hear what my name sounds like in every voice she has.
I smile.‘You don’t have to.’
She cracks open an eye.There’s mascara smudged underneath it.It’s adorable.
‘But I have to go.’
‘No.’Gen’s arms tighten around me.All those strength sessions are working for her, and working a bit too well for me considering I have to be at Alizée’s in –shit– twelve minutes.
Still, I can’t stop my smile from turning indulgent, pleased.‘I have to get to the pâtisserie, but I didn’t want you to wake up alone.’
‘Want me to come?’
‘Nah, you sleep.’I chuckle, trying to untangle myself from her.My laugh turns into a hiss when she drags her nails down my back.‘That’s not nice.’I’m trying to be serious.‘I don’t want to go but I have to.’
‘Fine,’ she huffs, throwing an arm across the pillow dramatically.The sheet slips, revealing her gorgeous tits.Her nipples peak in the cool morning air.
‘Also not fair,’ I groan.It’s a monumental effort to drag myself off the bed and get dressed.
She smiles up at me.‘Who said I was interested in playing fair?’
It’s the challenge in her eyes that makes me do it.Or maybe the lightness in my chest.The happiness that is all encompassing whenever Gen’s near.‘Are you not?’I ask, pulling my new Croissants and Kilometres hoodie over my head.
‘Nope.’Gen flops back against the pillows, tits bouncing, calling to me.
‘Maybe I’m not either,’ I reply, bending at the waist and drawing one of her breasts into my mouth and sucking lightly.
‘Knox,’ she moans.There it is.My name in her early morning voice.It’s as fantastic as I hoped.
