“GOOD MORNING, MY LOVE,” I’ve never used that phrase before, ‘my love’, but I’ve always wanted to. I look up at Owen, who did indeed return to bed at some point and fall asleep next to me. I roll over into his nook and breathe him in; my heart dances at his scent and suddenly I am eager to settle the details we began discussing last night.
Propping myself up on my elbows, I look into his tired, dark eyes. God he’s handsome, even first thing in the morning. His wild hair, the morning stubble that drapes across his face, his bare chest glimmering in the morning sunlight. He reaches down and rests his open palm across my bare bottom and my body comes alive; I whimper and I feel my eyes close briefly. When they open, he is looking at me, unsure.
“I’m just trying to get used to you touching me, it’s so intense. And I know every time you touch me it doesn’t mean we’re going to make love.
So, I’m just adjusting. Trying to tell myself to, you know, cool down a little.”
My response pleases him, as small smile creeps up on him, taking himself by surprise.
“I’m glad you enjoy my touch,” he says, his voice husky, his accent testing my willpower. I want to climb over him and find pleasure in our bodies melting together, in our bed (I have to keep reminding myself), but I know we have to talk.
“More than you know,” I say, leaning forward and planting a soft kiss on his chest. “But Owen. What will I do when the time comes to go back to school?”
He sits up in bed, resting against the headboard and I’m briefly reminded of our romp last night, where I rode him just like that, in that exact spot. I shake it free, my pussy quivering at the memory, knowing we must have this talk.
“I don’t want to leave you, but I have to finish school. I’ve only got one year left.”
“Of course you’ll finish. You’ve worked so hard for this, you will finish,” he smiles and touches my face and I lean into his hand, trapping it between my cheek and shoulder. “But darling, this next part is up to you.”
Darling. Mmmm. His affectionate pet names could be the end of me. I feel my nipples stiffen against the sheets.
“You can live with Kyra in the renovated apartment and come see me on the weekends. I can’t quite come see you because Kyra will not want me around, pending of course, that she accepts this relationship.”
My heart nearly falls into my stomach at the idea that Kyra could possibly hate us both for this. I don’t want to lose her. But this is different, surely, she will see it. Right? I begin to get nervous and he reads me.
“Take a breath, darling,” and he continues, “and the second option would be that you plan your schedule to be on campus two days a week, maybe three. And you commute.”
Suddenly I’m thinking of my last two semesters of classes; what days are they offered? Would I be able to be on campus just a few days a week? I could start early and end a bit later, but then I could drive and I would be able to live with Owen. Live with him like a real couple. Then it hits me.
“Owen,” I say, “I like that plan but I don’t have a car. And, I’d be bailing on Kyra and the new apartment. She’d never forgive me.”
My head drifts downward and he scoops it up in his hand, sits up fully and kisses me.
“Darling, she can be mad, she can feel uncomfortable. She is entitled to feel anything, initially. But she will have to grow up and move on. Life is… unpredictable, she knows this. She will accept it. Give her time.”
His words are reassuring, they wrap around all my worries like a blanket, soothing my fears.
“You don’t have to make your choice now; I realize it is all a lot.”
I nod. I know what I want to do. But I feel conflicted as to not betray Kyra, leaving her to live alone. I will take some time to think about it all, though I know ultimately sleeping next to Owen every night is the only place I want to be. Talking about the crossword over breakfast, reading a book in his lap, kissing him softly in the dawns light… that’s all I want.
“I need a shower, I need to comb through this mess,” I say, tapping my matted braid.
Hopping off the bed I steal a quick kiss then turn on my heel towards the door before realizing I’m still completely nude. Then I glance into the bathroom, massive and sparkling, all the bells and whistles. I turn to Owen, who’s eyes are glued to me, moving up and down my body, settling on my eyes as I speak.
“Would it be okay if I used your shower?”
Owen immediately looks displeased. I am getting better at reading his emotions, I think, and my inner voice wakes up, telling me he’s mad at me for asking. Is she right? He points to the floor next to the bed where he sits and growls at me “come here.” His tone is angered but I can’t help but be turned on as I pace to the side of the bed and stand, my nipples hard at his command.
He reaches up and grabs my face, pulling it down to his, our foreheads pressed together tightly. His eyes glare into mine.
“Everything that is mine, is yours.”
I nod my head; my inner voice won that one. He was angry that I asked. He wants me to be comfortable. I want to be comfortable; I’m just having a hard time swallowing that this is actually happening. I could live here. Owen is mine.
His face softens and he kisses me before I stride towards the bathroom and turn on the shower. After I have washed my hair and soaped up my body, Owen opens the shower door.
“I cannot possibly stay in here and watch you shower,” he inhales sharply, air audible through his clenched jaw. “You’re too exquisite,” he leans in, the rain wrapping around his neck while I kiss his lips, his perfect lips. I can see the ridge in his trunks from watching me, and warmth settles into my cheeks.
“I’m going to go have a swim.”
I nod, my grin so big that my face hurts. I had heard that was a thing but I had never been happy enough to experience it, I guess.
I continue soaping up and decide to shave my legs, too. I mean, now that someone is actually touching me, I suppose its more important that I keep up on this stuff. I stay in the shower for an unknown amount of time and once my fingers are prunes, I turn the water off. There really is not another experience quite like a nice shower, I think to myself as I step out onto the freshly laundered mat and grab a towel from the warmer. I am busy toweling my hair, attempting to wrap it tightly when I hear commotion- footsteps thundering through the third level hallway. My breath catches- Marie? I can’t quite make out the voice but I can feel the tone.
I reach over to the warmer trying desperately to grab another towel to wrap around my naked body but before I can, Kyra barrels into Owen’s room, her voice coming out in broken sobs, mascara swimming down her cheeks.