I feel complete. And in love.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Dewey Decimal Classification: 155.3 Sex Psychology and Psychology of the Sexes
[Nathan]
As I sit on the edge of Naomi’s bed, my body still shakes with the aftereffects of being with her. I’ve never been so nervous with a woman in my life. This was a big move for her, and I wanted her to lead, but Goddess forgive me, once I entered her, I was on the verge of breaking. Like a horse let free of the confines, I wanted to plunge and plunder. I kept it together until I told her to move her hips. Then, the tip of her head. The roll of her eyes. The sweet sigh, and we were off to the races.
She felt amazing. The heat. The fit. The way she looked at me.
It was no longer lick-me eyes, but something more.
Love me.
She’s taking a long time in the bathroom, and I’m beginning to worry she has second thoughts about what we did, or me staying overnight. I’m not ready to leave. I should go home and check on Clem, but the pull to stay with Naomi and hold her all night is greater.
She needs me.
I need her.
I need to know we are ready to move forward together.
I’m holding my phone in my hand after I noticed it fell out of my jeans’ pocket. It’s almost two in the morning but I send a quick text.
When I look up, I see Naomi standing in the open doorway. She’s replaced her nightgown for something shorter, more revealing, although it’s nothing more than a long T-shirt.
She has legs, my brain screams.
Amazing legs, I clarify as I recall them wrapped around my hips. I imagine them in other ways as well—around my face, on my shoulder, and bent under me. I’m getting semi-hard again, just thinking about all the things I want to do with her.
Damn, boy. I thought I was supposed to settle down after forty, but I want her. Again. I picture her mouth forming the silent word as she asked me to move within her, over her. I’m growing stiffer with every thought and I rub a hand down my face. I need to calm down. This was her first time in a long time. It’s new and I need to be patient.
She looks hesitant as she stands too far away from me, leaning against the doorjamb.
“Got a call?” The words ring accusatory and disappointed, and I should be offended, but I remember our first time. I won’t let that night ruin this one.
“I thought I’d send Dahlia a text. Explain I’m staying the night. I want her to check on Clem for me.”
Naomi instantly presses off the door, straightening as her hands clasp before her. “Should you go home? Make sure she’s okay? What happened must have been traumatizing.” Her voice fades off and as much as Clem might need me, Naomi needs me more. She isn’t a child, like my daughter, but she still deserves comfort. I want to be that comfort.
“Dahlia said she’s sound asleep.”
“That’s a pretty open relationship you have with your daughter if you’re telling her you’re spending the night with a woman.”
“I’m not spending the night with just any woman. I’m spending it with my girl.”
Her lids lower but her mouth twists like she’s fighting a smile. The hint of it confirms I’m doing the right thing. I need to stay tonight. We can work out all the other nights tomorrow. I stand and her eyes drag down my body. I like how she looks at me. Eyes wide. Lips bitten by her teeth. She appreciates what she sees, and I’m flattered by her lingering gaze.
“I didn’t know what side you slept on,” I say, swiping a hand toward the bed. Instead of answering me, she steps forward, walking right up close to me, and I encircle her with my arms. She inhales against my bare chest. I smell of sweat, campfire, and us. Maybe that’s not such a bad combination. I smile as I kiss her hair.
Releasing me, she steps out of my embrace and crawls into the bed, moving over to allow me space. I fold in after her. She lays on her side, two hands tucked under her cheek and intently watches me as I gaze back.
“How are you feeling?” I don’t just mean physically, although that’s what I expect her to explain.
“Is it silly to say, I feel a little whole and a little empty?”
My heart races in my chest. I feel whole as well. Complete. Like we were meant to be. It takes a second to react to her second sensation. “Why empty?”
Her eyes drift to the sheet between us and her fingers pluck at the fabric.
“It’s going to sound silly.” Her quiet voice sets my nerves ricocheting all over. Why does this feel so complicated? You wanted complicated, remember?
“Try to explain it to me.”
“I miss you already.”
I chuckle lightly as I reach out for her. “Come here.” Tugging her to my chest, I press a kiss to her forehead as my arm slips over her and holds her against me. “I’m not going anywhere, Naomi. Not this time.”
“It’s not just that …” Her voice drifts and I tip up her chin, so she looks at me.
“I …” She swallows and the hand pressed on my chest pulls back and points downward. She whispers. “Down there.”
My brows rise. “You mean, inside you?” My voice cracks like a pre-pubescent teen. Does she want me again, already? She shrugs and I chuckle. I lean for her lips before a sour expression takes her face. When I laugh, sometimes I think she misinterprets my meaning. I don’t find her funny as in ha-ha, but innocent and sweet.
“You can have my body whenever you want, sweetheart.”
Her head shifts on the pillow, and she stares at me. “Now?” She isn’t teasing. Her expression is one hundred percent serious, so I fight the playful laughter rumbling in my chest.
“The reality is I need a minute to recuperate. I’m old.” Maybe fifteen minutes or so.
“You are not,” she huffs before pressing a kiss to my chest. “You’re seasoned, remember?”
“Are you teasing me?” I ask, tickling her side. She squirms against me, wiggling and giggling before one of her legs hooks over my hip.
“Old man humor.” She laughs louder. God, I love her laugh. I love her smile. I love her.
It doesn’t hit me hard as it’s been there from the start. I’m in love with this woman.
I have a vagina, she said, and I fell instantly. I smile at the memory as I pull her over me. Her hair cascades around her face as her legs instinctively straddle my hips.
Maybe I’m not as old as I think. It appears I don’t need those fifteen minutes after all.
“I’ll give you man humor,” I tease as I cup her cheeks and draw her mouth to mine.
Sex the second time last night was more frantic and frenzied. Naomi says she’s bad, but she’s a natural with me. Her body moves like it recognizes mine, like we’ve been together for years. She quickly picks up on what I like and allows me to help her figure out what she likes. She’s curious, and I’m willing to let her discover whatever she wants from me.
I awake with the typical morning wood. I should get home to my girls, but Naomi curls up against me all warm and comforting. I don’t want to leave her yet. Last night was like no other. A night of exploration and rediscovery and new adventures. Reconnecting with Naomi Winters might be one of the best things to happen to me. My hand cups the braid she remade before we fell asleep facing each other. Her feet rest against mine as her head buries into my chest. I can’t remember the last time I slept through the night with a woman, but a man could grow used to waking up to this.
Then my phone rings.
It’s set to vibrate, and it rapidly ripples against the top of the nightstand behind me. I unwillingly roll over and reach for the phone. Dahlia’s name pops up on the screen.
“Hey,” I answer. My voice is rough from lack of sleep as well as trying to remain quiet. I slip upward to sit. My dick sticks straight up in my boxers and I try to ignore it.
“Dad, when will you be home?”
I glance at the digital clock on Naomi’s nightstand. 7:03 AM.
“Soon, baby. What’s wrong?”
“Noth
ing, I just don’t want you to get in trouble with Gramm.” I sigh and scratch under my chin. Ma?
“Why? What’s going on?”
“You’ve never spent the night out. I just thought I’d check in with you so I can cover for you with Gramm.”
My shoulders fall and I softly chuckle. My seventeen-year-old wants to cover for me? Like I’m going to get in trouble with my mother for spending the night with a woman. At forty-one!
“Just let me handle Gramm, okay? How’s Dandelion?” Guilt knocks on my chest. I’m so divided and I don’t like the separation. I need all my girls in one place.
“She’s fine. Slept through the night. I told her you went to see Miss Naomi.”
“Does Clem know I spent the night?” What am I, a teenager? Then again, I am a dad, and spending the night isn’t my typical behavior. In fact, I’ve never done this before with a woman. I always go home to my own bed. A small hand presses against my lower back and I shift to look over my shoulder at Naomi, sleepy-eyed and concerned.
“She just thinks you’re out early,” Dahlia explains. “Maybe bring home some doughnuts,” she teases and then asks, “How is Miss Naomi?”
“She’s …” Perfect. Wonderful. Everything I’ve been waiting for. “… all good. Tell Gramm the same thing you told Clem, and I’ll be home soon.”
“Okay, Dad. I didn’t mean to disturb you. I just thought—”
“No, it’s fine.” I keep my eyes on Naomi as I speak to Dahlia. “See you soon.”
We hang up and Naomi’s watchful eyes speak volumes.
“You need to go,” she whispers.
“I do, but I’m not going anywhere. Do you get me?”
She bites the corner of her lip and nods. I toss the phone on the nightstand and twist completely so I can cup her face as I lay down another minute. I pull her toward me, meeting her lips with mine. What’s the harm in one more kiss? Then again, that is how I got in trouble the last time.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Dewey Decimal Classification: 153.7 Perceptual Processes
[Naomi]
“How we going to work it this time?” he asks after greeting me with a toe-curling kiss. I can’t ignore what’s jutting into my hip and my fingers twitch to lower.
“What do you mean?” I ask, his lips lingering on mine. His entire body has made an impression on me. One I don’t want to forget.
“I’m not leaving this bed without a plan. I don’t want any second-guesses about my intentions. Only second chances.” He pauses as his eyes soften and a fingertip trails over my jaw. “Are you giving me a second chance, Nae?”
Didn’t I do that last night? I gave us both a second chance at what we had all those years ago. But if I’m honest with myself, I think I know what he’s asking. Do I want it too?
“You have all the chances,” I say, my voice dipping low.
A smile instantly breaks on his face. “All the chances, huh? Does that mean I’m getting lucky again soon?” His hip tips forward, forcing his firm length against my lower belly. It feels like instinct to lift a leg and hitch it over his hip, repositioning myself so we line up.
“Sex humor?” I blush as I speak but he’s being so flirty. “Is now too soon?”
He chuckles into my neck as he nips me. “I should probably get home. Check on the girls.”
Instantly, I retract my leg and loosen my arm curled over his. “Oh, right. Definitely.” He isn’t wrong. His daughters should be his priority. Poor Clementine. She’s going to need some therapy after what she witnessed last night. And Dahlia. I don’t have the full story but Nathan did explain why he was late getting to the community center.
“Nae?” he questions tugging at my cheeks.
“No, no … go,” I admonish. I mean it. He needs to be with them, but I can’t help the sting of tears burning my eyes or the prickle in my nose.
“Dammit, Naomi.” He rolls me to my back and pins a leg between both of mine. He lifts up and stares down at me. “Tell me what you’re thinking.”
I shake my head. It’s too much. Too soon. I can’t say what I feel or want or think of him. My heart races as my mind sprints to thoughts of never seeing him again, just like before.
His weight settles over me. His arms lowering to brace on his elbows.
“Nae, I’m not going anywhere this time. If I don’t call, you can call me out like you did last week. But I swear I’m going to call you later today, and tomorrow, and the next day. And we’re going on more dates. No limit this time.”
I slowly nod as a traitorous tear escapes. His thumb brushes at it, but another seeps from the other eye.
“What’s this, sweetheart?”
“I don’t know,” I choke as I whisper. I don’t know what’s happening to me.
“I’m stuck on you,” he says, and a lump forms in my throat.
“I’m stuck on you, too,” I whisper again, knowing the words mean so much more.
“Let’s be stuck together,” he quietly teases, rubbing his nose over mine. “Get my underwear off.” He slips his other leg between my thighs and I tilt my head. My hands have been resting by my sides, but he guides one arm to move toward the waistband of his boxers and I wrestle them down a bit with him over me. He slips easily into me and we both moan with the connection.
“What about your girls?” I ask as he slowly moves as if he has all the time in the world.
“Not leaving until I convince you …” His voice fades as his rhythm picks up.
“Convince me of what?” I wonder as my knees spread farther open and my hands climb up his muscular back. Nathan thrusts forward and I gasp.
“You and me. Third time’s a charm.”
“Are you being cheeky? Because technically this is our fourth time.”
Nathan chuckles and the motion vibrates inside me. We both startle at the vibration and his mouth comes to mine. I’m not a fan of morning breath but I’m quickly lost in his kiss. We move together as we have before, only this round is lazy and sweet. Too soon, Nathan warns me he can’t last long and the pace quickens. He reaches between us, working at my sensitive spot, encouraging me to meet him, and I do, still together, feeling each other let loose.
I giggle as I drift down from the brisk high. “What was that?” I tease, knowing it was morning sex, although I’ve never experienced it before.
“That was me showing you how I feel.” He kisses me one more time before withdrawing and slipping from the bed.
I lay still a minute, dragging the covers over me and watching Nathan dress.
“Everything okay at home?” I question. Nathan snorts.
“Dahlia’s worried I’ll get in trouble with Ma for spending the night.” Nathan’s already slipped up his boxers which didn’t fully leave his legs and steps into his jeans. He finds a very wrinkled shirt on the floor and slips it over his head. He dropped his leather jacket downstairs, so I imagine he’ll retrieve it on his way out. He sits on the edge of the bed to slip on his boots. He’s such a handsome man. I could watch him dress every day.
The thought unsettles me a little and I roll to my back, looking up at the ceiling. He flips his body and leans over to place a hand on my belly.
“I know you believe in destiny, right? All things have a purpose and a reason.”
My brows pinch, uncertain where he’s going with this thinking.
“What if …” He tweaks one brow. “Destiny meant us to be together all along.” He leans forward and presses a kiss to my covered stomach. “What if I’m back and you’re here because we were supposed to be together. It just took a little time.”
“You’re thinking too hard,” I tease, reminiscent of what he said to me last night. His silver eyes sparkle as he looks at me. I reach out to cup my hand around the side of his face and he leans into my palm, kissing the center.
“I’m serious. What if the universe was speaking to me before but it got lost in translation?”
“I thought you said no what-ifs.” The corner of his lip hitch
es and he shakes his head. He knows I’m right, and so was he. We can’t live by what-ifs.
“I just feel like this is right. Now’s our time.” With those words, he leans down and kisses me too quickly. “I’ll call you later.”
I don’t want to feel the words are ominous, so I take a deep breath, send out a little prayer and watch him walk away from my room. Then he steps back into my view.
“Where’s your phone? Because I’ll be calling you from the truck in a minute.” He winks and with that, he’s gone.
“I slept with Nathan Ryder. Again.” Actually, it was three times, but who’s counting?
Restless and feeling like I could crawl out of my own skin, I make an impromptu visit to my sister’s Sunday morning. Bev didn’t look pleased at the spontaneous visit, but she wasn’t kicking me out either. Thankfully, she also didn’t spray out her tea when she choked on the sip she took. We are sitting in her kitchen, hot mugs of steamy goodness between us.
“What?”
“I had sex with Nathan Ryder.”
Beverly shakes her head. “I mean, I heard you the first time, but what?” Her voice rises on the last word. “I didn’t even know you were dating.”
“Three dates. That was the deal. We completed them and then he disappeared for a week. Then I was kidnapped and we—”
“Hold up,” Beverly says, holding up a hand to pause me. “Kidnapped? What are you talking about?”
“Capture the witch,” I mutter.
Did I mention I’d never told anyone about the first incident?
Bev gives me a questioning look and I decide the best place to start is at the beginning. I repeat some facts my sister already knew and how it leads up to the present predicament.
“Why didn’t you ever tell me?” she scolds.
“Because you had your own things to worry about.” While Beverly hadn’t had her accident yet, she had started drinking heavily to dull the pain of her husband stepping out on her. “Anyway, it’s all over now.”
Love in Due Time Page 29