He holds her like he was born knowing how.
Our eyes meet. Something inside me aches. Literally aches.
I love him. I know how I feel without a shadow of doubt.
He smiles. I smile back.
I realize the right person may not show up early or in the package you anticipated. The universe sends him once you’ve done the work, survived the battles and built a life you can invite them into.
In Seamus, I see the man, not the age, not the risk.
He’smine.
It’s time to stop bracing for the fall.
For him, I want to leap off the cliff.
twenty-six
Seamus
New Year's Day
It’sbarely8a.m.on New Year’s Day.
My body’s wrecked, my mind wide awake. I can’t stop watching her.
Marcella sleeps curled against me, her breathing soft and rhythmic, her cheek resting on my chest. Every so often she lets out a sleepy hum, like she’s exhaling whatever stress she carried into this new year. Her hair spills over my arm and her thigh is slung over my leg like she owns the space between us.
She does. Sheabsolutelydoes.
The sky outside her window is a soft, wet gray as expected. Seattle in winter rarely delivers anything other than misty rain and today’s no different. Drops sploosh steadily against the pane, making the light diffused and low, like the world hasn’t quite decided to wake up yet.
I don’t mind.
Not this year.
Not with her.
I’m completely obsessed with Marcella Delgado, the woman who has bulldozed every obstacle in her life with stilettos and sarcasm. She trusts me. Sleeps against me like I’m home.
I never knew I needed this. I can’t live without her.
We didn’t go out last night. No crowded parties or loud music. It was just the two of us, curled up on her couch watching the ball drop on TV. Our champagne flutes were untouched because we were too busy kissing when the clock struck midnight. Then we fucked until dawn.
It was perfect.
We didn’t spend Christmas together—our first major holiday as a couple felt too soon to crash into each other’s long-held family traditions. We more than made up for it this past week—a blur of slow mornings, hard laughter, another dinner at her parents’ restaurant and Sunday at mine. Stolen glances across the room and hours of mind-blowing sex.
Truth be told, I’ve barely been home since the first night I slept here. My townhouse smells like Pine-Sol and neglect and I only know this because I stopped by a few days ago for more clothes and my toiletries.
Marcella stirs beside me and shifts onto her back, blinking sleepily. Her eyes meet mine, and her mouth curves into the softest smile. “Happy New Year,” she whispers, her voice still husky.
“Best one I’ve ever had.” I smile down at her.
She yawns and extends her arms over her head, causing the sheet to fall down, exposing her glorious breasts. My gaze drops and I’m not even subtle. My eyes drift over her luscious curves, taking in her dark, puckered nipples, the dip of her waist, the flare of her hips. I've explored every inch of her silky skin and I’m thoroughly addicted. I trail my fingers lightly down her spine, savoring the way she shivers under my touch.
A blush creeps across her chest. “Don’t start,” she warns. “You’re insatiable and I can never resist.”
