Gordon for a run. So I get showered and dressed for work. Along with a little makeup, I attempt to style my choppy hair today. I’ll never be Tessa levels of glamour. But I can rock my own thing. The need to hide and watch as opposed to partaking of life isn’t as overwhelming as it used to be when I first left the hospital. Maybe I’m getting braver or surer of myself in some way. I don’t know.
“Tell me what you’re thinking,” Ed says as I approach him in the kitchen upon his return.
“Well, I was wondering if you were going to kiss me again. But then I was thinking that you looked especially handsome all covered in sweat and you smell really good. Before that, I think I was just enjoying the smell of the coffee and trying to remember what books I need to take back to the shop. That’s pretty much it.”
“Okay.”
My lips still tingle along with everything else. Or maybe they started tingling again at the sight of him. Gordon leans his butt against my leg, does some scratching, stuff like that. The love life and verbal repartee of myself and his owner means nothing to the very good boy.
“See, not everything passing through my head is worth hearing about,” I say, as he hands me a cup of coffee.
“I wouldn’t say that. First bit in particular was pretty interesting.”
“So what’s on your mind?”
“Apart from kissing you?”
“I wouldn’t want to distract you from that.” I smile, taking a sip. “Though on the other hand, it was my thought first and not yours, leading me to believe that you mustn’t want to kiss me all that badly. To be honest, that’s kind of disappointing, Ed.”
A sound of amusement from Leif over on the couch. “I knew you two would get back together.”
“Did you really?” I ask with a grin.
In response, he blows me a kiss.
“Stop flirting with her, dammit,” says Ed. “And we’re taking it slow.”
Leif sadly shakes his head. “You always did have middle child complex.”
“He’s perfectly fine the way he is, and we are taking it slow. That’s true,” I dutifully back Ed up because togetherness or whatever it is we’re doing.
“Whatever you say,” answers Leif. “Why was Gordon whining at my bedroom door all last night?”
I don’t even blink. “Because he missed you while you were gone.”
“Clem was letting him sleep on the futon with her,” says Ed. “Despite me asking her not to.”
“Ah.” Leif nods.
My outrage is mostly feigned. “You have no proof.”
“I don’t need proof, baby. I know you when it comes to that dog.”
“Thank you for the coffee.”
“Nice change of subject, and no fair about the kiss.”
“How so?”
“In my defense, I had plans.”
“Such as?”
“Getting you caffeinated, for starters,” he says.
“A noble quest, of which I fully approve.”
“Then having a shower so I don’t drip sweat all over you.”
I frown slightly. “I said I don’t mind that.”
“Ah, but you used to. Now I know that you don’t.” Bless him, the man doesn’t hesitate. First pressing his warm lips to my cheek, my jaw, even my chin. The salty, musky scent of sweat and man is a wonderful high.
“Ed, that’s not my mouth. Do you need a map?”
“You’re so impatient,” he mumbles, bussing my cheek with his nose. The feel of his breath on my face, of him being right there . . . holy shit. Privacy matters not in the least. His lips trail down my neck, tongue sliding against my skin. It’s like lights turning on inside of me. A hypersensitivity only he inspires. Teeth press into the lobe of my ear, teasing. Then he sucks on a particularly amazing section of skin between my neck and shoulder. Sweet baby Jesus. My mind blanks entirely, head falling to the side. Little shocks of electricity zap up my spine.
“That doesn’t look slow,” comments Leif from the couch.
Ed nibbles on my jawline before placing gentle kisses either side of my mouth. The man is a goddamn tease. “As much as it pains me to admit, he’s right.”
My eyes open slowly, reluctantly. “I’m beginning to think slow is highly overrated.”
“Yeah. I’m pretty sure slow is going to kill me.” He takes a breath, pulls back to look me in the eye. “But, Clem, I still think it’s the only way to do this.”
I don’t like it, but he’s probably right. Also, he’s the one who remembers us hitting the wall and having to deal with heartbreak et cetera. However, it sucks to be