It’s late.
For some reason, tonight feels like we crossed another barrier, jumped an invisible relationship fence. Hit another level. And I don’t know if it’s because we are in his main home or what it is . . . but something’s different.
His barrier has come down a little more. Day by day, he’s letting me in deeper.
And it’s dangerous because I don’t think it’s healthy to love anyone the way I do him.
“I never thought I’d have this,” he says softly.
I listen.
“I’d heard my brothers talk of it, telling me what it was like . . . but I honestly didn’t believe in it.”
“What didn’t you believe in?”
“That someone could make me feel the way you do.”
Emotion overwhelms me, and I smile as I kiss him softly. Our lips linger over each other’s. A tenderness runs between us that’s never been there before.
“I love you so much,” he murmurs.
I smile against his lips. “Still working on that anal thing?”
He chuckles. “One hundred percent.”
CHRISTOPHER
Buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz . . . my phone dances across the bedside table.
I roll over to turn it off and exhale heavily. Ugh, I haven’t missed waking up to that sound.
Hayden mumbles sleepily, “You ready for your first day of work?”
“Not really.” I sigh. I should be more excited, I guess.
She smiles as she kisses my chest. Our legs are a tangled mess. “I’ll make you breakfast.”
“It’s okay. You stay in bed, babe.”
“No.” She sits up. “I need to get into a routine of some sort. I can’t be staying in bed half the day like a sloth.” She gets out of bed and puts her robe on. “And what does my man feel like to eat?” She ties the sash of her robe in a bow.
“A little bit of you wouldn’t be bad.” I grab her leg as she walks past me and pull her back onto the bed. I kiss her softly, our lips lingering over each other. “You want to come to work in my briefcase?” I ask.
“I wish.” Hayden giggles. “You could get me out and play with me in your breaks.”
I chuckle. “That’s a good plan.”
She kisses me quickly and stands. “Get up, Mr. Miles. You don’t want to be late for your first day.”
“I guess.” I sigh.
Hayden disappears out of the room, and I hear her go downstairs.
I shower and shave and dress in a navy suit and white shirt. It feels so weird to be dressed like this again. My sabbatical is already becoming a distant memory.
Something that I did once upon a time.
“Breakfast is ready, babe,” I hear Hayden call.
I smile. The drop-dead-gorgeous souvenir I brought home was well worth it, though. With Hayden in my life, I’ve never been so settled and happy.
I do up my tie and comb my hair, put on my watch and shoes, and stare at my reflection in the mirror. That’s it . . . it’s over.
Time to grow up and start my new life.
One with responsibilities and someone to take care of. I stare at my face as a twinge of sadness fills me.
Things will never be the same, from here on in . . .
“Christopher,” Hayden calls. “Don’t make me come up there and spank you.”