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“I’d love to.” He was already reaching for the door.
He grabbed my hand and pulled me from the car before leaning in to talk to Armand through the window. After a moment, he knocked on the top of the roof and I watched as the town car drove away, leaving us alone on the sidewalk.
I looked up at the modest brick building in front of us and took a deep breath, before grabbing my keys from my purse. I unlocked the olive-green door and held it open as he passed by me. I saw that Elma’s door was closed. Thank God. I led him up the stairs and stopped outside my door.
“It’s not much,” I said, fidgeting with my keys.
“I’m sure it’s perfect,” he said, putting his hand over mine.
He was trying to calm my nerves. I gave him the best smile I could muster and unlocked the door. I stepped inside and switched on the lamp in my living room, a warm glow filling the room. Daniel followed me in. I didn’t want to look at his face as he took in the single room I called home.
After a moment, I felt his arms wrap around me and he laid his chin on my shoulder.
“I love it,” he said, kissing my neck.
“Liar,” I said.
“No, it has real charm. It’s quaint. And cozy. And warm. It’syou.”
He put his hands on my hips and turned me toward him. The sleep in his eyes from earlier had disappeared and now they were icy blue and alive. He reached up and tucked his thumb under my chin, gently tilting my face up toward his. He leaned in and pressed his lips against mine.
It wasn’t the desperate, passionate kiss I was used to with him where we were completely devouring each other whole. It was soft. Loving. A side to him I didn’t expect. My eyes fluttered closed as we stood there in the middle of my apartment, experiencing something new with each other. It wasn’t lust. It was care.
He pulled away and put both his hands against my cheeks.
“Thank you for tonight, Heart,” he whispered.
I didn’t correct him. Tonight, I would happily let him call me that. For forever, even.
I reached up and took his hand, pulling him with me toward my bed in the corner of the room. We had already ravaged each other, but now, I wanted to make love to this man. Slowly and tenderly. And that was exactly what we did before falling asleep wrapped around each other under the cool sheets.
The next morning, light poured in through the sheer white curtains of the room. I felt the sun warm against my eyelids as I peeled them open slowly. I let out a quiet yawn and turned my head to see Daniel fast asleep beside me. His arm was draped over my bare stomach.
I turned to my side and looked at him, feeling his slow and steady breaths against my face. I reached over and gently ran my fingers down the side of his face, feeling the slight stubble of his five o’clock shadow. He was the best thing I had ever laid eyes on. Handsome even when he slept, his mouth partly open.
Last night had been a complete dream. From the fancy French dinner to the Broadway show to completely losing myself to him in the car. And every moment in between. His eyes finding mine. His fingers interlaced in mine. His hands needing to touch me. I had never felt so wanted or taken care of.
And last night in this bed. We were so connected to each other. Our eyes locked. Our kisses were slow and sensual. Our bodies becoming one. I didn’t know there could be so many sides to sex, but last night we had explored a new one. It was vulnerable and real. I refused to believe any other woman had been with the Daniel I had experienced last night. At least I hoped they hadn’t.
As I lay in bed, watching him sleep, the doubts crept in. Everything I had read about this man painted him out to be a Casanova. He knew exactly how to get a woman, and clearly knew how to please one. I should know, as I had completely lost my head multiple times. I didn’t know it was possible to experience one after another.
The guy wasn’t a saint. That much was clear. I knew that going into this. I shuddered knowing I wasn’t the only one he had ever laid his hands on. It was clear I would have to push my stupid jealousy of his past aside, if we were ever to have a future. If there was one.
“Are you watching me sleep?” he whispered, breaking me out of my thoughts.
He opened one eye and squinted over at me.
“Sorry.” I laughed softly.
“It’s okay. I like it,” he said, pulling me close to him.
I closed my eyes and would have happily fallen back asleep in his arms, but then my stomach growled loudly.
“Oops,” I said, feeling embarrassed.
“Baby is hungry,” he commented, opening his eyes and putting his hands on my stomach.
I had almost forgotten after our night together that I had our baby growing inside of me. It felt crazy to know we would always be tied in some way, whether we ended up together or not. I placed my hands over his and searched his eyes for what he was feeling.