Page 119 of The Hookup Situation
Iwake up before Julie, which has become my new normal. The morning light filters through the massive windows of the Riverside cabin, and I can hear birds instead of photographers. The silence is perfect.
Julie’s sprawled across me like a starfish, red hair everywhere, one leg thrown over mine. The tension from leaving town has almost melted away.
I think about jumping fences, diving into Autumn’s car like criminals, Julie laughing despite the chaos. She didn’t break. We didn’t break. The photographers tried, but we’re still here.
Patterson left a few days ago, claiming the “small-town witches” were trying to marry him off. He had to get back to New York—hockey season starts soon, and he’s the team captain. But not before Blaire read his palm one last time and told him about his love line. He’s been texting me about this nearly every day.
My phone buzzes on the nightstand.
Asher
Media’s calming down. Give it another couple of days. But it could be a false alarm.
Nick
Thanks for handling it.
Asher
That’s what I’m here for. How’s Julie?
Nick
Perfect.
Asher
You’re so doomed. Congrats!
He’s not wrong. Every morning, I wake up more fucked than the day before. More attached, more certain this isn’t just temporary, more terrified of the November 1 deadline.
We’ve been at Riverside for a week now, and I don’t ever want to leave. The past few days have been just us, this ridiculous cabin, and October. We’ve cooked together, used the hot tub every night, taken walks around the property without anyone watching, and made love under the moonlight. We’ve both needed this.
My phone shows 5:47 a.m. Too early to be awake, but I can’t stop staring at her. The way the predawn light catches her skin, how peaceful she looks.
Then I remember her list.Wake up to oral.
She’s asleep this time, not pretending. This is my chance to check this one off properly.
I carefully shift down the bed, moving slowly so I don’t wake her yet. She mumbles something in her sleep but doesn’t stir. I gently ease her legs apart, settling between them.
She’s just wearing one of my T-shirts, nothing underneath. It’s something she’s gotten comfortable with.
I start with soft, barely there kisses on her inner thighs. She shifts slightly but doesn’t wake. I work my way between her legs, and that’s when she gasps awake.
“Nick?” Her voice is thick with sleep and confusion. “Oh my God.”
Her hands immediately tangle in my hair as I continue, not stopping now. She’s already wet, her body responding even before her mind catches up.
“Best alarm clock ever,” she moans, hips rocking against my mouth.
I work her clit with my tongue, wanting to taste every inch of her, making sure she’s fully awake and aware of every sensation.
When she comes, it’s with a cry that echoes through the cabin.
I move back up to kiss her deeply, both of us breathless and connected in this perfect morning moment.
“Good morning to you, sweetheart,” I say.
