Page 147 of Fly with Me

“How is it possible you look that good after a million-hour flight?” Olive flopped down on the perfectly neat bedspread. “Sleep. Need sleep now.” Her voice was a zombielike grunt.

Stella tugged on her arm. “No. Fight it, Olive.”

“The sandman cometh. Jet-lag gods are strong.” Olive yawned. “Pillows comfy.”

Stella whispered sweetly into her ear, pushing aside Olive’s wild hair. “We’ll get coffee. Or coffee-flavored gelato.” Stella pronounced each syllable of gelato like it was a depraved sex act, making Olive want to stay in bed for an entirely different reason. At least until she yawned again.

“Five minutes.” Olive’s eyes closed.

“No, if you fall asleep, I’ll fall asleep and we only have three days here before our next stop.” Stella marched across the room.

Olive managed to convince one of her eyes to open.

The light gilded Stella as she stood at the hotel window. That lovely buttery sunshine of a Florentine morning. God, her girlfriend was beautiful. She flung open the doors onto a small balcony. Olive inhaled, drinking in the smells of the old city coming in on the breeze. She peeled herself out of bed.

She took Stella’s hand and stood beside her. After a few minutes of listening to the bustle of the city, Olive kissed the exact spot on Stella’s left hand that she hoped would never be bare again after tomorrow.

“Okay.” Olive shook out her head in a way rather reminiscent of Gus when he came in from the rain. “I’m going to go take an incredibly quick shower to wake myself up and wash my face. Then we can get moving and get started on your elaborate itinerary.”

Stella pouted and eyed the tote bag on the dresser that contained the Stella Soriano comprehensive binder guide to the best-ever, long-awaited European adventure. “I wanted to make sure we made the most of our time.”

“By elaborate I meant incredibly thoughtful and wonderful itinerary.” Olive kissed her.

“Damn straight.”

“Who says damn straight anymore?”

“This beautiful creature in front of you.” Stella gestured to herself.

“You are beautiful.”

“So are you.” Stella pressed her body to Olive’s, and Olive brushed a hand down Stella’s soft curves.

“Just give me five minutes.”

“Five minutes.” Stella checked her watch as if she were setting a timer.

Olive rushed through the shower, but it didn’t help her wake up. She was as exhausted as she’d been before. She pulled a towel around her.

After opening the door, she blinked twice and then smiled.

Stella was splayed out on the bed. Snoring, drooling, and cuddling a pillow. Olive pulled on a pair of sweats and a T-shirt. She draped a blanket over Stella, lay down, and closed her eyes. They could sightsee later.

Within minutes, the sleep cuddler herself was spooned around her very contented heat source.