Page 26 of Falling Too Soon (Seasons of Love #1)

DAPHNE

O uch! My neck was killing me. Wiping the sleep from my eyes, I took in my surroundings.

The room was barely lit by the fire that was almost out in the fireplace.

There was drool trailing from my mouth and pooling on…

what the fuck? There was a puddle of drool on Nathan’s chest. His shirt was soaked.

Fuck me. This was embarrassing on multiple levels.

I quickly attempted to extricate myself from the situation, but as I was trying to get up, Nathan pulled me in closer against him.

“Where do you think you’re going?” he groaned in the sexiest, sleepy voice I had ever heard.

“To bed. But I think, um, you might need a towel. Sorry.” I motioned to the puddle on his shirt. I was mortified, but I owned up to the mess since there wasn’t any other way to explain the drool fest away.

“Mmm,” was his only response as he pulled me back down and rolled me over and onto his other side, spooning me from behind. He nuzzled his face into my neck, inhaling deeply. Did he just smell me?

I tried to pry him off me. “Nathan, I need to pee,” I whined, hoping he’d let me up.

“Good try, Kitten,” he chuckled. “Now be a good girl and go back to sleep. I’m comfy.”

Ugh. This felt too good. I had to get up and get away from him.

I was still a little drunk, but not drunk enough to let myself stay in his embrace.

I waited until his breathing evened out and I was sure that he was asleep before I attempted to get up again.

I carefully slipped out of his grasp, covered him with a blanket, and quietly made my way to my room.

I needed Lexi to talk some sense into me.

She was, after all, the queen of having sex without feelings.

“Sup, whore?” she answered my call after the first ring.

“I need to be talked off the ledge. I think I’m falling for this man, and I know that’s a terrible idea and terrible timing, but he’s just so…

perfect? I don’t know. I think I might still be drunk.

But he’s so hot and nice and fun and did I mention he’s smokin’ hot? ” I rambled on, barely taking a breath.

“Whoa. Take a breath. Why are you drunk? It’s like 7:00 p.m.,” Lexi chuckled.

“So today was supposed to be his wedding day and his ex showed up here.”

“No fucking way! What happened? I need the deets.” Lexi loved drama. Well, let me be clear, she loved other people’s drama. When it came to her personal life, she avoided drama and attachments at all costs.

I laughed. “It was pretty drama-free. Courtney came, she begged Nathan to take her back, and he shot her down.”

“Borrriinnnnggg!” I could practically hear Lexi’s eyes rolling to the back of her head. “So what? She just left, and you guys just decided to drink all day? Please tell me you were at least naked all day too.”

“Nope. Sorry to be such a disappointment. We drank, played board games, and ate Chinese food. It was a pretty fun day. Then I fell asleep on him on the living room floor and drooled all over his chest, which was a little embarrassing, but he didn’t seem to mind.

” I smiled to myself as I recalled our day together.

“Okay, so what’s the problem then? You don’t want to fall for him, but you are? What’s the issue? If you like him, why not explore that?” I looked down at my phone to make sure the call was still connected to the right person.

“I’m sorry, who is this? And what have you done with Lexi?” I joked.

“Har. Har. Har,” she deadpanned. “Listen, you know I’m all for a good old ‘fuck ‘n’ run’ situation, but if you actually have feelings for this guy, then why not just see what happens? Maybe you aren’t built for this fuck buddy shit.”

She was right, of course. Lexi knew me better than anyone, and she knew I was a relationship girl. I was never promiscuous in college. I went from relationship to relationship, but wasn’t that exactly why I shouldn’t jump into yet another one ?

“I may not be, but I also think it’s too soon for both of us to be getting involved in something potentially serious.

I’ve always gone from relationship to relationship, and maybe I need time to myself to heal and figure out what I want.

Lexi, I don’t even have a place to live.

If I start something with Nathan, who’s to say we won’t move too quickly and move in together, and then I’m right back in another Marcus situation? ”

“First of all, slow down. I think you’re getting way too ahead of yourself.

You’re already talking about moving in with him?

I just said maybe you should explore what’s there, not marry the guy.

Jeez. Second, if you think you need some alone time, then I support that decision.

And as far as the place to stay, you know you can stay with me for as long as you need to.

” She was right. I had to calm down and get my priorities straight.

Priority number one was me and my heart.

I didn’t need to complicate my life more than it already was by getting involved in yet another doomed-to-fail relationship.

“You’re right, but I don’t think now is the time to explore a new relationship.

As much as I do like Nathan, I also know I’m not ready.

Plus, his ex literally showed up here today.

I don’t know if he’s ready for a new relationship either, since this whole ‘friends with benefits’ thing was his idea.

If he wanted more, wouldn’t he say something? ”

“Listen, I’m team Daphne no matter what and I’ll support whatever you decide to do, even if it involves getting rid of a body.” She laughed on the other end of the call, but I knew she was deadly serious. I knew I could count on her for anything.

“Thank you, but I highly doubt I’d ever call you to help me get rid of a body.” I chuckled back.

“You never know.”

“Okay, well thanks, I guess.” My tone was steeped in sarcasm. “I’m gonna take a bath and hopefully sleep off this alcohol. I’m definitely going to spend the rest of the night hiding in my room and avoiding that handsome man in the living room.”

“Ugh, you’re hopeless. If you’re so sure you don’t want a relationship, you can at least have some more fun before you come home,” Lexi chided.

“I’m hopeless ? You’re hopeless, and when you eventually meet the one , I’m going to thoroughly enjoy saying I told you so,” I laughed. “Love you. Talk to you soon.”

“Love you too, hoe bag. Enjoy your bath.” We ended the call, and I lay back on my bed with a sigh.

My mind was all over the place. I was so back and forth about Nathan, but I knew that was the exact reason I couldn’t let this go any further.

I needed to take time for myself. After all, that was supposed to be the whole point of this trip.

I groaned as I forced myself out of bed and into the en suite to start my bath.

I had found the most delightful-smelling lavender bubble bath in the bathroom the day before and decided to give it a try.

I ran my hand under the warm water as the scent of lavender filled the room, and I daydreamed about what a life with Nathan could be.

I was lost in thought when there was a knock at the bedroom door .

“Hey, are you okay?” Nathan asked through the closed door.

“Fine. Just going to take a bath and sleep it off,” I called back over the sound of the tub filling.

“You want some company?” Nathan asked with too much hope in his voice. But was it hope at the prospect of another night of sex, or was it the hope of more? I was so in my head I couldn’t possibly imagine what was going on in his.

“I’m good. I think I’m going to relax and then get to bed early. I’ll see you in the morning, Nathan.” I did my best to keep my voice friendly and cool, though my insides were screaming at me to let him in to defile me yet again.

“You sure you’re okay?” He sounded worried, so I went to the door to put him at ease.

I opened the door a crack and smiled up at him. “I’m fine. I promise. I need to sleep this off. Alone.” I gave him another smile as I started to shut the door.

Nathan put his hand up to stop the door.

“Okay, but if you need a hand, I’d be happy to wash your back.

” He winked and then retreated with a grin.

The door clicked closed, and the image of him behind me in the bath, caressing my curves, filled my head.

Just the thought of him touching me in any capacity had me so needy for him.

My body thrummed, and my pulse quickened.

This man made me absolutely feral for him.

I shook my head and headed back to the tub, which was now full.

I removed my clothes and sunk into the warm water, submerging myself completely.

I stayed under for a few moments, trying to clear my mind, but when I surfaced, he was still at the forefront of my thoughts.

I came here to have some time to myself and clear my head, and all I’ve done is fuck myself up even more.

Nathan was consuming my every thought, and I had to get the hell out of here.