Miles
Jericho’s words settle over me like a warm blanket. After the intense sex and mind-blowing orgasm, my body relaxes more than it has in months. I hug him a little tighter, sighing against his neck. Did he really say that?
I realized when he was gone that what I felt for him is love. It wasn’t anahamoment for me, it wasn’t a suddenholy crap I love this man.
No, with him, it was a slow build. A deep settled feeling that I only discovered when he was gone because I knew I was missing something. A part of me. Something that should be with me at all times.
Even if things were supposed to be casual, and even if I can’t pinpoint the moment my feelings for him changed, they did. I know it’s the way I feel.
“I love you too,” I whisper back.
He lets out a small huff of a laugh, and kisses below my ear.
“I missed you doing that,” I say.
“Doing what?”
“Kissing me there. You always do.”
He looks up at me. “Do I?”
I nod, then lean in to kiss his perfect lips.
“Let’s shower,” he suggests. But neither of us move. We stay there, holding each other, basking in this after-sex high and love declarations. I’m not sure how long we stay there, but it feels so perfect. Exactly where I belong.
Eventually, we make our way to the bathroom and get into the shower together.
“Stay with me tonight,” he says as he moves me under the shower spray. I lean my head back. He runs his fingers through my hair, wetting it.
“I’ll have to leave early to get ready for work.”
“We can get your things tonight.”
“I have to bring Noah to school in the morning.”
He’s silent for a moment as he picks up the bottle of shampoo and pours some into his palm.
“How early?” he asks.
“Six.” He runs his hands through my hair, soaping it up. “Though, I could call in… and let Audrey know to drop him off in the morning. She isn’t working today, so waking up early won’t be a problem.”
“I don’t want you doing that for me.”
“Trust me, she won’t mind.”
“How do you know that?”
He moves my head under the water to rinse my hair. My hands find his hips, just wanting to touch him.
“She’s been rooting for us from the beginning. She was convinced this was more than what it was the entire time, even though I kept telling her we were just being casual. Laughable now, huh?”
He smirks, his attention on his hands.
“Seems she was the only one who realized it.”
I huff a laugh. “I tried to keep things casual, Jericho. You said you wanted that and—”
His lips find mine, shutting me up. I laugh as he deepens the kiss, and it turns playful.