“Baby, your wrists were red for three days last time. I was terrified they were going to bruise.”
I couldn’t stop my loose, stupid laughter at his worried face, his eyebrows up to his hairline.
He’s so fucking cute. And stupidly sexy… how did I get so lucky?
“But really,” he pressed. “How are you?”
“I’m wonderful.” I flashed back to him lowering himself down onto me. “How areyou?”
James smiled and tilted his chin up to peer at the ceiling for a second. “Umm, I’m okay.” He met my eyes. Then he leaned closer and brushed his lips against mine. “I didn’t think it was gonna hurt that bad. You’re a fucking champion for doing that all the time!”
I laughed, and James helped me to my feet. “That was certainly a surprise! Did you, like… prep yourself or anything? I hope you did.”
He shrugged. “I mean, I snuck a finger in there a couple times in the garage bathroom before I came in.”
“Jesus, James! You are so thorough when you’re prepping me. Why would you think you needed or deserved any less?”
“Well, my dick’s bigger than yours. Thicker, too. And itwas…fine.It was hot. The important thing is thatyouliked it.”
“Would you ever….” I hesitated, not even sure what my own answer would be.
“Anything’s possible duringmask time, my love. But, as far as the everyday, I’d prefer to keep things the way they are. If that’s okay with you, of course.”
I wrapped my arms around him and stood up a little taller to kiss him. “I would prefer that as well.” And, then: “Thank you for planning another adventure. The flashlight was interesting.”
James laughed. “I knew if I didn’t sticksomethingin you, I’d never hear the end of it.”
I shook my head and smiled. “I love you.”
“I love you, too, Avery. I always will.”
James took my hand and led me through to the bathroom. He sat me down on the edge of the bath and started the spray.
My gaze landed on the shower curtain that James and I had picked out. It was absolutely the most ridiculous thing I’d ever seen—a blue curtain with an image of a giraffe riding atop a flying shark with a pirate’s sword and eye patch. We both had cracked up the second we’d seen it and decided it had to be the centerpiece of our new bathroom.
Then we’d gone and picked out a blue bathmat alongwith a giraffe-printed toothbrush holder and matching bath towels. It was ridiculous and hilarious, and the best part was that my mother hated it.
We might have had ridiculously playful taste, but there was so much warmth in our home. So much love surrounded the space.
I’d never felt more at home.
Love,
Avery and James
