Page 91 of In the Long Run
‘You okay?’she asks, her eyes searching mine, and I remember my promise to myself.To try my best.
‘We had a fight.Everything’s okay now, but it sucked.’
‘I’m sorry that happened.’
‘Me too.’
She rubs my shoulders, her hands trailing down my arms until our fingers are linked together.‘Do you want to come to my place for a bit?’
‘I really do, but I don’t want him to wake up and me not be here.Stay with me?’
‘Of course.I want to be wherever you are.’
It’s easy to picture coming home to her every day, nights spent on the couch, or mornings spent running or working out together.I kiss her, sliding my hands into her hair, angling her face exactly how I want it, pushing my tongue into her mouth.She follows my lead, and need and desire lick up my spine, making me lightheaded.
A swift attack from Madeleine and Chouquette to the back of my knees drags me back to Earth.When we pull apart, Gen’s smile is so soft and shy, the pleased little curl to her lips just begging to be kissed again and then a thousand times more.
‘Let’s walk these two quickly and then cuddle.’
It sounds like exactly what I need.
32
GEN
‘Are you sure you’re okay?’I ask Knox after our walk as he unclips Madeleine and Chouquette’s leads, ushering the dogs inside Eugene’s flat.He pauses in the doorway.
‘I’m so much better now,’ is all he says.He pulls me close, encircling my body with his strong arms.The eucalyptus of his washing powder is familiar, as is the steady beat of his heart under my cheek.
‘Is that you, Knox?’Eugene calls down the hall.He doesn’t sound like himself.
‘Yeah, Eug.I’ll be in in a sec.’Despite his words, Knox’s arms tighten around me.‘I’m sorry our day got derailed,’ he murmurs.
I look up at him.‘Hey.No, it’s fine.No one could’ve predicted this was going to happen.’
‘Still.I wanted that time with you.’
I bite my lip.Who would’ve thought that sitting down next to a stranger was going to lead to this?‘Me too.’
‘Good,’ he whispers before burying his face in my hair.
‘You need an early night,’ I say into his chest.‘We can cuddle another time.’
‘I do,’ he sighs.‘But I don’t want to let you go.’
‘Is Gen here too?’Eugene’s voice drifts down the hall again.
I muffle my laugh against Knox’s jumper when Eugene groansand says, ‘I’ll get out of your hair.Let you guys do whatever it is you want to do.’
‘I want to do you,’ he mumbles, eyes widening so fast that I snort.He tips his head back and thunks it on the door frame.‘That didn’t come out the way I meant it to.’
He’s so cute when he’s flustered.He swallows, and apparently I’m into Adam’s apples now.
‘Be a gentleman and bring her inside!I’ve ordered some Indian.Should be here soon.There’s plenty.’
‘He’s still trying to apologise,’ Knox says softly.
I pat his chest.‘Sounds like you two need some more time together.’
