Page 60 of Rumours and Romance
“What? I need to live up to my sex pants, don’t I?
Even though he can’t see me, I roll my eyes, even as I’m grinning with anticipation.
And boy, does he ever live up to those pants. Over and over again.
**
When my alarm goes off the next morning, my eyes fly open. Even though my body is stiff in ways I never imagined possible, I’m happy. We barely slept last night, too busy making love over and over. He gave me an incredible orgasm in the tub, then I returned the favour in bed — this time swallowing every last drop. But then, when he slid into me for the final time before we finally fell asleep, it was so sweet and slow, full of tender love. I came close to crying when I climaxed, feeling the wash of loving warmth cover us both.
I sneak out of bed, leaving Jackson sleeping. But as I’m mixing up protein shakes for both of us — yeah, he managed to get me hooked on starting my day with one — his arms snake around me, tugging me back into the wall of muscled heat that is his body.
“Morning, babe.” He kisses my shoulder, his voice still rough with sleep.
I turn in his arms, looping mine around his neck. “Hi. You can go back to sleep if you want, come in for breakfast later.”
He blinks his eyes fully open and shakes his head. “No way. You’re up, I’m up, remember? Can I keep you company at the bakery?”
“Of course,” I smile. “But I need to leave in ten minutes. So you better get that fine ass of yours dressed.”
His low chuckle fills me with happiness as he goes back to the bedroom. As I start to gather all of my things, I see an envelope sitting underneath his wallet, where he must have left them yesterday. I pull it out; it’s blank.
“Open it.”
I look up to see him pulling on his shirt, and looking at me with a mixture of hope, love, and excitement.
“I was on my way to give you that when I saw you at the store,” he says, wincing. “Kind of ruined the mood. But I’m hoping you’ll accept it now.”
I slide open the envelope and unfold the letter inside. Scanning it quickly, I feel my face stretch into a smile.
“You want to move out of your house.”
He nods.
“Where are you planning on living?” I know the answer, at least I hope I know what the answer is, but I want to hear it from him. He walks over and takes my hands.
“Well, seeing as I don’t want to be apart from you another night, and seeing as our pets are friends, and your house is closer to both our jobs, I was kind of hoping I might move in here.”
My damn eyes start leaking again. “That’s sort of presumptuous of you, isn’t it?”
Now he’s smiling and lifting our hands up so he can kiss my knuckles. “Not presumptuous if I’m just moving us in the direction that we’re already headed.”
“But think of the rumours that will fly when people know we’re living together.” Now I’m just messing with him; the truth is, I already have a key for him.
“Ah, but think of the romance. Think of our romance.”
I lean to the side, open a drawer, and pull out his key. Dangling it in front of him, I can’t hold back my grin.
“Hey Jackson, want to move in with me?”
“I thought you would never ask.”
I’m late getting to the bakery, and for the first time, I really don’t care.
Epilogue
Jackson
Small towns really do Christmas differently. At least, Dogwood Cove does. All of the store fronts on main street are decorated, and the giant tree next to the gazebo is all lit up. Mila roped me into helping her serve cookies and hot chocolate at the tree lighting event, and I have to admit, it was pretty special to see everyone together, bundled up against the cold, singing Christmas songs.
