Page 97 of Brighter Together

“Don’t ruin it by becoming smug.”

“I won’t mention the word sex god—”

Her thumb strokes over my cheek.

“No, really. That was…” She exhales. “More than I expected.”

I kiss her gently. “Same.”

And I mean it.

I knew the sex would probably be good.

I didn’t expect this.

I didn’t expect to want to stay wrapped around her afterwards, or for her happiness to matter quite as much as my own.

I kiss her once more before carefully pulling away.

“Don’t move,” I say.

“I had no immediate plans,” she replies, smiling lazily.

I head into the bathroom, dispose of the condom and wet a flannel under warm water.

When I come back, Ella is exactly where I left her, lying on her back with one arm above her head while she twists a strand of hair around one finger.

Her eyes follow me.

“What?”

“I was admiring the view,” she says.

I grin. “Thought that was my line.”

I switch off the main light, leaving only the bedside lamp glowing.

Then I climb back onto the mattress and gently clean her.

For once, Ella doesn’t tease me.

She just watches.

There is something almost painfully intimate about caring for her like this after everything we just did.

When I’m finished, I toss the flannel towards the open bathroom door.

It lands nowhere near it.

“Excellent aim,” Ella laughs.

“Cheeky.” I climb under the duvet.

She follows immediately.

I settle behind her and wrap an arm around her waist.

Ella takes my hand, pulls it higher and tucks it beneath her cheek so I end up cupping her face.