Fated to be Mine

by Larson, Jodie

  “You have nothing to worry about in that department. You are perfect to me, each and every piece of you.”

  “I just don’t see what you see.”

  “Then I will make you see. Believe me. I have never seen a more beautiful woman in the entire world than you.”

  And since he’s traveled the world I guess he would know. However, the nagging little voice in my head says that a man as gorgeous and perfect as Andrew also needs to have a stick figure supermodel on his arm. One that matches his beauty without working at it. I mean, he couldn’t possibly be happy with just a plain Jane like me, could he?

  My head slumps forward, resting on his sternum, causing him to laugh while stroking my hair lovingly. “Now that we have that cleared up, how about some breakfast?”

  I pick my head up and laugh. “Well I can make toast or I can make toast, and let’s see, there’s also toast.”

  “Well with what you’ve told me of your culinary skills before, I’m almost afraid for you to even try making that.”

  My mouth drops open and he laughs even more. Picking up the dishrag, I toss it at him, narrowly missing his head, causing us both to break out in hysterics. “Just for that, you’re going hungry. I am capable of making toast, thank you very much. I mean, how hard can it be? The toaster does all the work.”

  Andrew raises an eyebrow and I scoff. Really, how hard can it be? Then the guilt sets in, having Andrew here and not being able to give him more than toast for breakfast. I open my cupboard doors and stare at the few things inside. Perhaps he’s right. Maybe I do need to keep more things in my apartment. I’m not sure why we didn’t grab more things yesterday at the grocery store. Apparently all those bags didn’t carry the early morning necessities.

  Arms wrap around my middle, pulling me into his firm body while his chin rests on my shoulder. I can almost hear his thoughts as he stares at my selection of Honey Nut Cheerios and Cream of Wheat boxes, my only breakfast food in the apartment. Andrew lets out a sigh and I poke him with my elbow, making us both laugh a little.

  Finally deciding that I can make Cream of Wheat with our toast, I try to get everything together for it, but with Andrew draped across my back like a clingy monkey it makes it increasingly difficult. I try to pull away, but his arms tighten around my middle, pulling me closer so I can’t get away. Sighing, I give up attempting to get down my measuring cups and turn to face him instead.

  “You know, this would be a lot easier if I had some wiggle room.” My hands stroke his cheek, feeling that early morning stubble rough against my fingers. The smile on his face slows my heart until it matches his own rhythm.

  “You can wiggle all you want against me, love. I won’t complain. In fact, I encourage it.”

  I kiss his nose, looking into his bright shining eyes. “No more wiggling for you, Mister, until I feed you breakfast. According to some people, it’s an important meal of the day. Personally I could take it or leave it.”

  Andrew opens his mouth as if he’s going to say something but then quickly closes it. There’s a flash of humor in his eyes and it makes me wonder what he was about to say. My guess would be some smartass comment, or sexual innuendo since that’s the route we’ve steered into with this seemingly innocent conversation. Well, not too innocent I guess.

  The amusement still dances in his eyes and there’s an underlying fire burning brightly as well, igniting my skin right down to my core. My fingers continue to stroke his cheek, trailing lightly down to the edge of his jaw. Breakfast is briefly forgotten as his lips find mine, teasing and tasting, slowly exploring what he already knows by heart. My mouth is his as we press up against each other, each fighting the overwhelming urge to go back in the bedroom and stay there until we’re sweaty and spent. It’s becoming more and more impossible to fight this attraction between us; pretend that we didn’t happen in London. But for the sake of our relationship, if there is one, we need to try. I pull back on a weak smile, missing his mouth against mine the minute it’s gone.

  “If we don’t stop we’ll both starve.”

  He nods. “You’re right. We’re not playing fair right now. I promise from here on out to behave in a more appropriate manner. You go sit down and relax. I’ll take care of breakfast.”

  “You do know that I’m perfectly capable of making us breakfast, right? Besides, you’re my guest and I’m fairly certain there’s an unwritten rule about the guest not making the meals all the time.”

  Calling Andrew my guest feels strange and unnatural, especially when referring to him being here with me. Guest implies temporary visitor and as much as I fight it I know that’s not what I want. He’s more than that to me, not that I will admit it out loud to him.

  Getting a pot out from the cabinet he smirks and points to a chair at the breakfast bar. “Yes I know you’re capable of many things but I want to do this for you.” He closes the small distance between us, running his hands up and down my arms. “I want to do everything for you.”

  Damn. How can you argue with that logic? I attempt my best pout, but it comes off as less than convincing. “Fine. But I’m making the toast.” I glance between us, noting that we’re still not technically wearing any clothes. “But first we should probably get dressed.”

  After scraping off the slightly blackened pieces of toast, breakfast was good. Okay, so I suck at cooking. Eventually, I’ll get better. Maybe with practice, or private cooking lessons. Or we’ll just learn to live off of takeout, but as long as Andrew’s around that will never happen. Watching him fluidly move around the kitchen is like watching an elegantly coordinated dance. Everything is seamless, flowing from one thing to the next, never a hiccup or glitch, just perfection. I swear there’s nothing this man can’t do.

  “You make your Cream of Wheat differently than I do,” I say, rinsing the dishes before putting them in the dishwasher.

  Andrew gives me a puzzled look. “What do you mean?”

  “Well, every time I make it, it comes out in a giant clump. That’s how it’s supposed to be, isn’t it?”

  He laughs, wiping off the stove. “I’m pretty sure it’s not meant to be lumpy. That’s why it’s called Cream of Wheat.”

  “Well, my way is hearty. A stick-to-your-bones type of breakfast.”

  “However you like it, Tessa. You won’t find me arguing with you about it.”

  We finish cleaning up, content on being domestic hermits for the day. Andrew’s grand plan for us this weekend: stay inside and hang out. To me, that’s paradise. No running around the city, no dealing with traffic or tourists. Just the two of us, hanging out, spending time together to really get to know the other. That is priceless and means more to me than any trip we could possibly take.

  So our day consists of cribbage and Go Fish, which apparently even for a kid’s game I still suck at. We watch some godawful movies and have popcorn wars like we did back at his place in London. Andrew is a lover of bad movie nights like me. There’s nothing better than a horribly stupid comedy or an old Eighties movie that you thought was so awesome back in the day and watch now and can’t believe that you liked it.

  Once we get sick of the TV, Andrew picks up my Kindle and starts to read a book to me. I lay on the couch with my head in his lap, listening to his sexy voice that makes my panties melt. Andrew reading a romance novel out loud is my new favorite thing. If I could get a recording of him reading every single book that I own, I would never leave my house. Who needs Audible when you have Andrew?

  It makes me realize that I want to have this every single day for the rest of my life. We didn’t do anything fantastic, just spent time together, being with each other, making the other laugh. Andrew kept me close to his side all day, always within reach, always touching me or holding my hand. What’s more is he still thought I was sexy, even though I was in nothing but sweats and a messy ponytail.

  “You look beautiful,” Andrew whispers in my ear.

  “You’re crazy,” I reply back, leaning my head against his shoulder. W
e just stare out the window, looking at the lights in the now darkened street. Soft music floats around us from Andrew’s specialized playlist that he created. Each and every song deals with second chances and finding the love of a lifetime. It takes everything in me not to read too much into it, but with those powerful songs it’s hard not to.

  His arms wrap around me and he shakes his head. “Only about you.”

  I ruin the moment by yawning loudly. As always my timing is impeccable. His soft blue eyes find mine. “Tired?”

  I nod as he picks me up, carrying me just like he did last night to the bedroom. My head is still resting on his shoulder as we walk through my apartment, turning off the lights and locking the door. I nuzzle my nose into his neck, one of my favorite places on him. Andrew puts me on the floor at the foot of my bed and runs his hands down my arms.

  “I’ll be right back. I just want to go get ready in the bathroom.”

  He smiles and nods but I can feel his gaze on my retreating form as I walk down the hall, needing to brush my teeth and gargle about a gallon of mouthwash. I lean back against the closed bathroom door and can’t help but smile. Never once did I think I’d be so enthralled with a man before I met Andrew. Our day was perfect. It was everything we needed to get to know each other. Temporary amnesia be damned, there’s no way that I will ever be able to stop thinking about Andrew and what we could have together.

  I reenter the bedroom to find Andrew propped up against the headboard of my bed, completely naked from the waist up and only allowing the sheet to cover his lap. A million different scenarios play through my mind, none of which is rated less than NC-17. Why does a man with a body like his want someone like me? That is the great question of the universe.

  Flicking the light switch off, I crawl into bed next to the Adonis, tracing his muscles with my fingers in the muted light. Andrew lowers himself onto the bed, pulling me to his side. His lips find my head, giving repeated kisses upon my crown. My arm drapes across his chest, letting my head rest on his shoulder. Our bodies mold together like two perfect puzzle pieces.

  Our lips find each other in the dark, pressing lightly together, leaving us both with a contented sigh at the end.

  “Thank you for today. It was perfect.”

  He nods his head in agreement. “It was everything I’ve ever wanted. I just want to be with you. You, my dearest Tessa, are everything to me. If you told me you wanted to fly around the world, I would make it happen. If you said that you wanted to just lie in bed all day and stare at the ceiling, I would crawl next to you and count the dust flying through the air with you. Wherever you are, whatever you’re doing, I want to be there next to you.”

  My heart expands just a fraction more as I kiss him softly and snuggle back into the comfort of his chest, falling into another night of peaceful sleep.

  LIGHT FEATHERY KISSES RAIN UPON my face, pulling me from the peaceful slumber I was enjoying. Waking up in my warm bed is definitely preferred over the cold hard floor. Having Andrew’s arms wrapped around me isn’t quite so bad either. A girl could get used to waking up like this. My focus narrows to only Andrew as his lips travel across my eyes, my nose, my cheeks, finally landing upon my lips, brushing them ever so softly until a contented sigh escapes. His fingers trail a pattern across my stomach as I blink into his heavenly sapphire eyes, way too bright and shiny for this early in the morning.

  “I love looking into your eyes the first thing in the morning,” he whispers, placing his lips against mine again. My fingers entwine with the ones caressing my stomach, keeping him pinned to me because I don’t want him to let me go. Not yet.

  “Good morning. How long have you been up?”

  I crane my neck to check the time on my alarm clock, but it’s a futile effort. Andrew quickly brings my attention back to him. Well, sort of. His mouth blazes a trail down my extended neck, nipping and sucking as he explores the area thoroughly.

  “Not long. I just wanted to be the first thing you saw when you opened your eyes this morning.”

  He lifts his head up, brushing back a few snarled tendrils behind my ear. The back of his hand sweeps across my cheek, causing my eyelids to flutter like a hummingbird’s wings. The sensations his touch brings will never get old and I can only hope they never go away either.

  Our hands travel lovingly across each other’s bodies, my fingers trail up his arm, his hand runs around to press against the small of my back, pulling me flush against him. Soon my fingers are tangled in his hair, letting the dark silky strands run through them. Andrew closes his eyes and I focus on his lashes as they fan out against his cheek. He hasn’t shaved since Friday, which has created some seriously sexy stubble.

  His words come back to me, waking up my foggy brain which is still half asleep. He wants to be the first thing I see every morning? For a man who supposedly didn’t return my affections only three weeks ago, he certainly has become well versed in saying just the right things. And would it truly be that much of a hardship to look into his face every morning? Okay, twist my arm. I’ll suffer through that for the rest of my life if I have to.

  Reluctantly I pull away from his touch, needing to start our day, even though staying here in bed would be ideal. However, if we stay here, I know where we’ll end up and that cannot happen yet. Not until I have my mind straight and my ducks in a row, so to speak.

  We both sit up in bed, the covers falling from our bodies, revealing my nightshirt and his sculpted bare chest. Suddenly it’s too warm in here as my eyes travel across the expanse of tanned skin, washing over every defined muscle until they reach where his lower half stays hidden beneath the sheet. I try to avert my eyes before Andrew notices me blatantly staring at him, but I’m too late. His quiet chuckle dances around us and my cheeks redden with embarrassment. Andrew lifts my hand to his lips, softening the mood even though his eyes are still dancing with amusement.

  “Are you hungry?” I ask. His eyes spark and a slow grin appears on his face.

  “Famished. What did you have in mind?” He’s using his sex voice and it’s killing me to have to deny him. Part of me thinks he’s doing this on purpose, trying to get a rise out of me, or attempting to get me to cave. Deep down I know he wouldn’t do that. Andrew knows the importance of why I’m doing this the way I am. He wants me to be sure and without a doubt that whomever I choose is the one for me.

  Andrew wets his lower lip and I withhold a groan in response. Damn him. My lips quirk up in a smile and I shrug. “Well, since we had Cream of Wheat yesterday I thought we should eat Honey Nut Cheerios today.”

  I’m laughing as Andrew moans loudly, throwing his arm over his eyes and falling back onto the pillow in a rather overdramatic fashion, making me laugh even harder. Picking up my pillow, I playfully smack him in the stomach with it. He laughs and retaliates by pulling me down to him, my body stretching fully over his.

  “What am I going to do with you?” Andrew smiles, making my heart pick up speed slightly. “Promise me you’ll buy some real food soon. I’d hate to think about what you do for lunches and dinners when I’m not around.” He cups my face, looking deep into my eyes, allowing me to see his concern and sincerity for my wellbeing. Having someone worry over me is too new and I really don’t know how to handle it. No one has ever truly cared if I had enough clothes or ate enough food before. It’s a difficult concept to grasp at times, but I’m hoping the longer I stay around those types of people, the easier it will become.

  “Okay, I promise. I’ll go grocery shopping soon. But until then it’s Honey Nut Cheerios for breakfast.” I lean down to kiss his nose, making the both of us smile before I hop off the bed so we can get ready for the day.

  While Andrew is busy in the shower, I notice the laundry hamper is almost full as I pick up a few stray dirty clothes from the floor. Is it really Sunday today? Where has the weekend gone? I swear Andrew just got here and now it’s time for him to leave already. A dull ache strikes my chest when I realize I don’t want him to go. Everything about t
his weekend has been so relaxed and unrushed. It’s exactly what we needed, what I needed, to prove to myself that Andrew and I can be more than a physical attraction. That we can be two people who care for each other, listen to their thoughts and dreams, encourage them to follow the path they want. And knowing we have that connection without anything physical is essential to any possible relationship.

  When Andrew walks back into the room, fresh from his shower, all chaste thoughts of this weekend vanish. He’s clad in only a towel, hung low on his hips while beads of water disappear into it as they run down his chest and back. My mouth feels like Niagara Falls and subconsciously I remind myself not to drool. I’ve seen this man naked before but not like this. Not in my bedroom. Not with my towel wrapped around his narrow waist.

  Lucky towel.

  Andrew raises a brow at me and smirks. “Thinking of anything good?” He adjusts the towel with one hand while reaching into his overnight bag that’s sitting on the edge of my bed. I blink, repeatedly, praying for my voice to find me and not sound like some stupid horny little teenager.

  “Yeah,” I squeak.

  Well, so much for that. If Andrew couldn’t guess what I was thinking about before, he most certainly is aware of it now.

  Then he drops his towel.

  Oh.

  My.

  God.

  My heart goes into arrest as he stands there in all his glory. The water droplets are still running down his chest due to his damp hair and my eyes follow their trail, no longer getting absorbed by the towel that was around his waist. No, they travel further down, down into regions that make my body scream with pleasure. I mentally record the image of his naked body in my room for use at a later date. I want this picture to be the first thing I see whenever I close my eyes or blink.