Page 91 of Brighter Together

I turn towards my overnight bag.

I can feel her watching me as I crouch down to find the packet.

Then comes a soft appreciative noise behind me.

“You have a mighty fine arse, Mr Atkinson.”

I look over my shoulder.

Ella is sitting in the middle of the bed, now fully naked and looking completely pleased with herself.

I grin.

Then give my backside a deliberately exaggerated shake.

She throws her head back and laughs.

“Stop.”

“You complimented it.”

“I take it back.”

“No, you don’t.”

“I really don’t,” she laughs.

I finally find the fucking condoms underneath my socks and pull them out triumphantly.

When I turn back, she is still smiling.

And for a second I simply look at her.

This is supposed to be the part where all I can think about is getting into bed with her.

I do want that.

Very fucking much so.

But I also want to keep making her laugh.

I want to wake up tomorrow and hear it again.

I want her sitting across from me at breakfast taking the piss out of me because I apparently have a mighty fine arse.

I know here and now that I want more from her than just one night.

I climb onto the mattress and she winds her arms around my neck.

The kiss that follows is intense.

Deep and full of something I don’t have words for yet.

For a while I let myself forget where one of us ends and the other begins.

When we finally separate, Ella rests her forehead against mine.

“You okay?” I ask.