We both let out a shaky exhale, trying to come back to our senses, to come back to reality. He pressed a kiss to my shoulder before pulling out and lying on the bed with an arm bent under his head.
I followed suit, lying on my side and looking over at him. Neither of us said anything for a moment. We just…existed together. Taking it all in.
Wesley’s lips slowly spread into a grin—the same full-fledged grin he had while we were dancing last night. No worries on his face, no crease in his brow, no locked jaw. I liked seeing him so at ease. Because somehow, along the way, that’s how he made me feel.
“Don’t move,” he murmured, sliding out of bed and walking toward the bathroom.
I followed his movements and listened as the cabinet creaked open and water started running. Soon after the water shut off, Wes came back with a washcloth. His dark eyes slowly took in every inch of me, leaving a scorching trail down my body. I hadn’t moved—just like he’d requested.
“I like when you listen to me.” The corner of Wes’s mouth tipped up into a smile.
He slid back in bed, lying on his side facing me and gently nudging me to spread my knees. He slowly wiped the warm cloth between my legs. He was so thoughtful and considerate, taking care of me in such an intimate way no other partner ever had.
A small, content moan escaped me.
“Are you sore?” Wes paused wiping the cloth over my center to look at me, his expression soft.
I nodded. “In a good way.” I swallowed. “In a way that…I already want more.” I slowly trailed my eyes down his broad chest to where his hips tapered in to form a deep V, not wanting to miss a single detail of his muscular body.
A low rumble formed in his chest from my words. “Well,” he rasped roughly, “I want to give you everything you want, sweetheart.”
Wes was a man of his word. He took his time with me that morning and gave me exactly what I wanted—both in the shower and in his bed again.
We then got comfortable on the living room couch. I was in another one of Wes’s shirts. He told me to pick whatever I wanted to watch, so of course, I picked a romantic comedy.
We were about halfway through the movie. He was sitting on the couch, slouched casually while I lay across with my head in his lap. He was gently stroking my hair—and was more invested in the movie than I expected him to be.
“I want to take you out,” he said in a low murmur.
I turned my head so I was looking up at him, a smirk on my lips. “Like kill me? Or on a date?”
Wes barked out a laugh, shaking his head. My whole body vibrated from his booming laugh. I’d heard him laugh before—but not like this. Not this free and uninhibited. I wanted more of these laughs from him, and I wanted to be the one who brought them out.
“On a date, smart ass.” His hand moved from my hair to cradle my face. “This Friday work for you?”
“Yeah,” I said softly. “That sounds perfect.”
“I’ll get it all planned. You don’t worry about a thing.”
I wanted to ask Wes what all this meant, and maybe I should’ve. But I was scared of the answer. I didn’t want to ruin the moment by questioning what this meant for our future. If we had a future.
That was all a later problem. An end of summer problem.
I was leaving, and he was staying. But, for now, we were together.
34
WESLEY
Goinginto work was the last thing I wanted to do today, especially since it meant I had to leave Juliette. Not only that, but she wouldn’t be at my house when I got back tonight.
I had always liked living alone. I liked my space and my privacy. But this was the first time I dreaded coming back to an empty house. I had never felt this way before. Not with Gretchen. Not with anyone.
Until today.
I wanted to finish work, get home, and find her already in my bed. I wanted a repeat of this morning. Again and again.
With how busy yesterday was, I anticipated a slower night tonight. Plus, Sundays were typically slower anyway. It gave me time to help out, if needed, but also get inventory organized for the week ahead.
