Page 105 of This I Promise You
“Hey!” I try to wiggle free but he holds me tighter, laughing. I couldn’t be happier. “Uh…wow! I can’t believe you did that. I don’t even know what to say.”
He kisses me gently and I melt a little. “You don’t have to say anything. I wanted you with me always. Even when you’re in class or…fuck, in the bathroom, I don’t know. But”—I can’t help but laugh—“you’re still with me.”
I put my forehead to his. “You’re the best. You’re the only one I’ll ever want.”
God I don’t want to leave. I don’t want to say I have to go, but Aidan is going to kill me if I don’t. “I can’t believe I have to say this now, but I gotta go.” Immediately his brow scrunches and his smile dims. No. Don’t do that! “I had plans with A. I’m supposed to be there already. I’m sorry!”
“No, it’s okay.” The smile comes back. He even giggles a little. “Go have fun with Aidan.”
“Sorry, but thanks,” I say.
“Stop saying you’re sorry.”
“Okay, sorry.” I do it again.
Paul rolls his eyes and leans in and kisses me gently. I kiss him back, wanting more, but I know if I let him dig deeper into my lips I won’t be leaving any time soon. I let the kiss end, as the memory of the way he made love to me bursts into my mind. I swallow back the ecstasy of those moments and smile.
“What?” Paul questions.
“Nothing. Just you.”
“O-kay.” He squints. I’ll let him wonder.
“I really got to go.” But Isodon’t want to.
I kiss him one more time, then slide out the bed naked. Immediately I feel cold, but I don’t feel exposed like I usually would. I’m comfortable even though I know his eyes are on me, and he even confirms it.
“Dayum, Belle. Cakes for days,” Paul catcalls me, and honestly I love it. I’ve always thought I never had an ass, but he makes me feel like I’m Cardi B or something.
I give him a little shake before getting dressed. The covers rustle and a moment later he’s behind me, wrapping his arms around me and kissing my neck again.
“You’re beyond beautiful, you know that, right?”
“Stop it.” I brush off the compliment.
“Never,” he says.
It’s the simplest word, but it melts me.
My phone dings and I see Aidan’s name pop on the screen. I hope he’s not pissed, but honestly, he can get over it. I’m happy, and it’s my birthday. Plus, I think he’ll be happy for me too. He’ll understand.
“I love you, Paul,” I whisper with his cheek pressed against my jaw.
Easton
I’ll Do It, But I’m Still Going to Complain
Well, he did it. He finally did it.
Paul finally convinced me to go to the gym. Apparently, tormenting myself with a morning run every single day isn’t enough, even if those have been better lately. We’ve been taking our Tuesday and Thursday runs together.
“Now we’re going to do calf raises.” Paul holds out a pair of dumbbells. I take them. They’re heavier than I was expecting, but I rebound. “These are easy.”
That’s exactly what he said about the dumbbell walking lunges, and hell no. My legs feel like putty.
“All you have to do is hold them at your side, like this.” Paul lets his arms hang, looking at me. “Just relax them. Then you’re going to lift up on your toes and extend your calves. Okay?”
It sure as hell sounds easy.
