It came on her slowly, she was climbing, climbing, climbing, then all of a sudden, pleasure burst inside her and she was falling. Falling and falling. Ecstasy lit her body alight and burned brightly as it refused to be doused. Burning on as she clung to Micah, needing his steady presence in the fiery light of passion.
By the time it finally began to fade Teresa knew.
This was where she was supposed to be.
May8th
9:11 A.M.
Was thereanything more beautiful to look at than his girl sleeping peacefully?
Given everything Teresa had gone through in the last couple of weeks, Micah thought there absolutely was not.
Stunning as she’d been spread out beneath him last night, her skin flushed with arousal, her eyes bright and dancing with need, internal muscles clamping around him, squeezing him perfectly and shoving him toward an earth-shattering climax, he liked this more.
Because of the peace on her face.
There were no furrows in her brow, no tightness around the corners of her mouth, she wasn't having bad dreams, and she wasn't worrying about anything.
This was how he wanted her to always be.
No more pain, no more suffering, no more shouldering the load alone. He was there now, and while they still had a lot to figure out, he knew they would have those conversations and make things work.
Now, though, he slipped from the bed and crept out of the room, careful not to disturb her. It had been close to midnight by the time they were both in bed and asleep, and although she’d had about nine hours’ sleep, her body needed a whole lot more. No work for Teresa today.
Even if she fought him on it.
She needed a full twenty-four hours to recuperate from yesterday. Actually, she needed a whole hell of a lot more than that, but he was pretty sure that was about all she would feel comfortable allowing herself. It was better than nothing, and he intended to make sure she spent the day doing absolutely nothing but sleeping, relaxing, and taking care of herself.
In the kitchen, he bustled about preparing breakfast in bed. He’d made sure that the kitchen was fully stocked before they got there so they wouldn't need to leave for any reason.
Well, he was going to have to sooner than he’d like. His team only had a week left of leave before they had to be back, and he was pretty sure that even with the revelation they’d gotten from the young nurse, a week wasn't enough to close out this case.
A name was game-changing, but it wasn't magic, it didn't fix everything, but it was the beginning of the end, and his girl had done that.
He was so proud of her, he could feel the emotion clogging his chest. Every time he looked at her, he wanted to drag her into his arms, pepper kisses all over her face, take her lips and kiss her until neither of them could breathe, and tell her over and over again how amazing she was.
Since Teresa didn't love excessive praise, she probably wouldn't like it, but tough. Shewasamazing, and hewasincredibly proud of her. Not that he ever wanted her to put her life on the line like that again. From here on out, he wanted her tucked safely away in front of her computer, not taking risks that could get her killed.
Once he had the French toast made, he piled up two plates and set both on a tray. Then he added glasses of orange juice, a bowl with some sliced fruit, and a vase with a single white hyacinth, Teresa’s favorite flower.
Balancing the tray, he headed back for the bedroom. He hated that Teresa was stuck in this bland apartment. It was serviceable, but it wasn't homey, and she deserved something that made her feel comfortable as well as safe. Hopefully, it wouldn't be much longer until the case was wrapped up and she could go home. Wherever home wound up being for her.
Maybe it would be with her friends again, or … maybe she’d want to create a home with him.
It was a lot to hope for given their past, but he wanted it nonetheless. For now, it would have to be on the West Coast, at least until he retired, then if she wanted, they could move back here or stay there. Honestly, Micah didn't care where they lived as long as they were together.
He’d hoped to find Teresa still asleep when he returned to the bedroom. Had planned on waking her with a kiss, just likeSleeping Beauty or Snow White. But he didn't find her all tucked up under the covers, instead, she was standing up, wearing his discarded T-shirt from yesterday, and over by the dresser with something in her hands.
“You were supposed to still be asleep,” he informed her as he set the tray on the dresser and wrapped his arms around her from behind, tugging her back so she was pressed snug against him.
“Woke up and you weren't there, so I was coming to find you,” she told him, tilting her head to the side, likely so he could trail a line of kisses down the column of her neck, which was exactly what he did.
“Made you breakfast,” he said, stating the obvious since she could clearly see the tray set out before her.
“What's this?” Turning in his arms so she was facing him, her hair all sleep ruffled, her eyes still slightly puffed, she was so adorable he couldn’t help leaning down to touch a kiss to the tip of her nose before he looked at what she was holding out to him.
As soon as he saw the small, crumpled piece of paper, he knew what it was.
