42
Daren
I’ve never woken up with a girl by my side before—at least not one I’ve had sex with. I’ve had a crazy night filled with sex before, sure. But I never stayed afterward and cuddled. Or woke up the next day to chitchat.
But this morning, when I opened my eyes and saw Kayla’s small face and naked shoulder nuzzled against my chest, I couldn’t imagine waking up any other way. The smell of coconut wraps around me and I can’t help but smile.
I trail my eyes along the soft lines of her face and wonder just what the hell I’m going to do now.
Kayla isn’t like any girl I’ve ever known. And sleeping with her isn’t the same as having sex with anyone else. She’s the real deal. And it doesn’t even freak me out that I’m thinking these things.
She knows me, the ugly parts and the hard parts, the shameful pieces and the broken ones, she knows all of me and she still cares for me. I’m dirt-poor and homeless, for God’s sake, and the girl still told me she loves me.
Now the only question is, how can I convince her to stay in my life?
She stirs beside me and her lashes flutter before opening. Her blues eyes stare up at me in the hazy light coming in from my window. They widen and I tense, waiting for her to remember last night, and worried that maybe she’ll think it was a huge mistake.
But her features melt into a soft smile and she settles closer to me, burying her face into my neck.
“Good morning,” she says against my skin.
Happiness fills my chest. I run my fingers down her bare arms and grin when tiny goose bumps rise. “Good morning, beautiful.”
Under the sheets, she moves her silky body over mine and snuggles even closer. “You’re so warm.”
God, I love this. I want to wake up with this girl in my arms every single day—is that crazy?
I wrap my arms around her and tuck her into me. “And you’re so soft. I could get used to this.”
I hear the smile in her voice. “Me too.”
“I’m serious,” I say. “I want this. I want you. No one else.”
She props her chin on my chest and looks at me with big blue morning eyes. “I’m right here.”
I swallow. “Yeah, but I don’t want you to leave. I don’t want to go back to being who I was before the handcuffs. Kayla. I was unhappy before you. And now I’m… I’m perfect.”
She shifts closer and looks directly into to my eyes. “I’m not going anywhere. Before you, I was lost. And now I’m… home.” She kisses my chin. “So I’m staying right by your side, with or without handcuffs.”
I trace the shell of her ear. “Promise?”
She slowly nods. “Promise.”
Pulling her close, I draw her up to my mouth and kiss her deeply, softly. When we break the kiss, she leans back and smiles.
“So what now, pretty boy?”
I give her a crooked grin. “Well I was thinking we could do a repeat of last night.”
She laughs. “Well, naturally. But what about after that?”
I exhale loudly. “Well I’m homeless.”
She exhales as well. “And I’m penniless.”
“And I don’t have a car anymore,” I say simply.
She nods. “And my car is falling apart.”
“So just to sum up. We’re broke, homeless, and nearly car-less?”
“Yep.” She smiles.
I smile back. “Then I think the only thing we can do is have some chocolate for breakfast and spend the day in bed.”
She kisses my chest. “I like the way you think, handsome.”
“And I like the way you taste.” I pull her lips up to mine, flip us over so I’m stretched out on top of her, and start kissing my way all over her body.