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“Just-fucked and perfect.”
My heart swells.
“It’s the way I think about you all day.” He pauses for a moment. “It’s the way I watch for your car to come home all night.”
Is he being romantic?
“The way I kind of like your dog, but I can’t tell you because then you will know that you have me in the palm of your hand.”
Unexpectedly, emotion overwhelms me, and I get a lump in my throat as I watch him.
He rolls on his side, and his eyes finally meet mine. “It’s the way I can’t stand the thought of sleeping with anyone else.”
“I like that one.” I smile.
He smiles too. “Oh . . . that’s the only one you like?”
I giggle and kiss his big, beautiful lips. His arm comes around me, and I snuggle my head into his chest.
“It’s the way I was so upset that you didn’t want to see me anymore that I ran over your plants with the mower.”
“You had to go ruin it and bring that up . . . didn’t you?” I mutter dryly. “You were going so well.”
He chuckles and kisses my temple and holds me close.
“Don’t let me fuck this up,” he says softly. “Tell me if I get too close to the line.”
“Oh, I will, and for the record, if you ever run over a plant of mine with the mower again, I’m running over you with it.”
“Deal.” He smiles.
We lie in silence for a while, both lost in our own thoughts.
“Good night, my beautiful Juliet,” he whispers. “Thanks for waiting for me to get here . . .”
My heart swells at his newfound vulnerability. “You were worth the wait.”
Midnight, the magical hour
I lie and stare at the man beside me as he sleeps.
He’s on his back, the white blanket pooled around his lower stomach. His broad naked body is on display.
I watch as his chest rises . . . holds, and then gently falls. I’ve been lying here watching him for two hours. My protective instincts have kicked in, and I just want to care for him. To make him feel loved and safe.
How must it feel to be so traumatized that you can’t let yourself be loved? And his dad is sick too . . .
I feel so sad for him.
I push the hair back from his forehead and kiss him softly.
How is it possible that tonight my attachment to him is deeper than ever?
Is this what it feels like?
Where nothing else matters, and to hell with the consequences. Because there are consequences for being with Henley. I know that.
I’m twenty-seven years old, and at a time when I want to relax into a drama-free and easy relationship, I know this will be anything but. How could it not be? He’s never had a girlfriend, much less a serious relationship, and these things take practice. Years and years of practice. I’m in for a rocky ride.
