Page 91 of The Complacency Syndrome

“That was perfection,” I tell him, stars still in my eyes.

He kisses my cheek, falls down next to me. “Told you they were real.”

We both giggle, wrapped in one another’s arms, where we eventually—very eventually—fall asleep like that.

* * *

I’m wokenin the morning by his head between my thighs, and after I’ve returned the favor, we’ve made coffee and gone another two rounds, we’re cuddling in bed. Some Sunday morning snuggles, probably a first for both of us.

“Asher?”

“Yeah, babe?” He tilts his head, looking down at me where I lie under his arm. Those earthen eyes are molten, dangerously heated.

“I think, after much experimentation, I would like to keep seeing you,” I tell him seriously.

“Same.” He kisses me on the top of my head, and I smile up at him.

“This trial period has been a definite success.” I nod at him, like the matter is put to rest.

“You saying I can stop showing off now?” That half-smile on his lips taunts me, and I try to kiss it away.

“Please don’t,” I murmur against his mouth.

If I had a dog, like Chrissy & Chance’s furry beast, Sir Wags, they would’ve just told me my front door opened. Someone is here, and we aren’t alone.

Unfortunately, we don’t have a dog. And I’m so blissed out, background music drowning out other noises, I don’t hear the clicking and snicking of the lock, the door opening and closing. The footsteps that follow.

All I hear is the voice of my ex. In my home, where I’m in bed with my new man, the one no one can find out about anytime soon, if ever.

“Ellie?”

My blood runs cold, Asher’s eyes lock on mine, and we stare at each other, frozen, about to get caught, after just one night together.

His voice gets closer, and I hear the footsteps now. In the hallway, where my bedroom door is wide open, and we’re entwined in bed together, naked.

“Ellie?”

My stomach drops as my two worlds, my past and my present (hopefully my future), the two men in them—the one society knows about, and the one they don’t; the one most think I’m insane for leaving, and the one they’d think I’m even more insane for pursuing—are about to collide.

What the fuck do I do?