AllFreeNovel
Share Us
When they were dry and marginally warmer, they slid under the covers and lay in bed, snuggled together.
Laughing, Sara said, “If this is going to be what it’s like when you come back from a work trip, I think I could get used to this.”
Smirking, he said, “I think this was a little more eventful than you could normally expect.”
Pausing, he said, “I did, however, bring you a present.”
The light now back in her eyes, she giggled and gestured to the bathroom, asking, “That wasn’t it?”
“That’s not a present. You can have that anytime you want, babe.”
Sara grinned.
“Noted. So what did you get me?” she asked, curiously.
“Well one of the guys from Albany was into the wine scene there. Apparently the Hudson Valley has a lot of wineries.”
Shrugging he continued. “Anyway, we went to lunch at one of them and they had a gift shop that had wines and a bunch of specialty vinegar. I picked up a pomegranate raspberry and some other kind of fruit balsamic. I was thinking about the salad dressing you made the other night.”
He trailed off now, uncertain.
Pleasure bloomed in Sara’s eyes and she gave him a slow, lingering kiss then said, “Thank you for thinking of me. That was really nice of you.”
Snorting, he said, “I did nothing but think of you the whole time I was gone.”
“Same here. Elle kept making fun of me for being all mopey.”
Stroking his hand down her spine, he said, “I’m really glad you didn’t leave me hanging there, earlier. That would’ve been kind of embarrassing.”
Snuggling into his side, she said, “Yeah. That would’ve been pretty awkward. Good thing for you, you’re highly lovable.”
Placing a kiss on the patch of skin closest to her mouth, she closed her eyes and let her mind drift as he stroked her hair.
Waking up a few hours later, Sara had a headache and a crick in her neck. Going in search of some headache medicine, she found some in the medicine cabinet of the master bath. After grabbing a bottle of water from the kitchen, she downed the aspirin she found.
As she walked back into the bedroom, she noticed that Deacon had stretched out across the bed on his stomach. Moonlight peeked in from the blinds, illuminating the portion of his face and his messy hair. He was an impossibly beautiful man.
Standing there, immobilized, Sara just stared at him for a moment then shook her head. How was it even possible that he could love her? Overwhelmed, she smiled.
Sliding back under the covers, she stretched out next to him, loving the way he shifted, his arm snaking around her waist even as he slept. Eyelids drooping contentedly, Sara drifted back to sleep.
Chapter 16
Deacon woke up and stretched his arm across the bed, reaching for Sara. Finding her spot cold, he blinked a few times, his eyes adjusting to the light, then sat up, scratching his chest.
After a quick stop in the restroom, he threw on a pair of gym shorts, and went to look for her. Had she gone home?
Finally, he spotted her on the patio, stretched out on one of his lounge chairs. She had a cup of coffee, and looked to be texting. The way the light hit her hair, it shined like a new copper penny.
God, she was fucking beautiful. He couldn’t get over it. She seemed to have no idea. The more that he got to know her, the more noticeable her small pockets of insecurity became. Her ex had really done a number on her. Shaking his head, he moved his hand to the slider and opened up the door.
Raising her head at the noise, Sara looked up at him, her smile almost radiant. Deacon leaned down to give her a kiss, then sprawled in the other patio chair next to her.
Continuing to look at her, he said, “God, you’re beautiful.”
“Uh. I’ve got no makeup on and I’m currently rocking a minifro,” she said, gesturing to her wild hair.
“Just accept the compliment, Sara. Say ‘Thank you, Deacon,’ and don’t argue,” he said with a somewhat-indulgent smile on his face.
