Luke lay on his back with Bridgette sprawled across his body, both basking in their nakedness and the feeling of being physically and emotionally exhausted. Luke meant it when he said he would wreck her body. Over the last few hours he had used her body in ways she’d only read about in romance books. He claimed her, made her his, brought her to new heights of pleasure even when she thought she couldn’t take any more.

“You still awake?” The rumble his voice echoed in his chest as he trailed his fingertips up and down her spine.

“Hmmm? Awake, yes…barely alive though.” She attempted to lift her head but only managed to roll it to one side. He laughed as he reached down and ran his hand through her mess of dark curls. “That last encounter from behind may have killed me,” she said as she patted his stomach. “Seriously where’d you learn those moves? Actually, don’t tell me I don’t want to know!”

Luke sighed, “You know you always suggest that I’m this man-whore that bangs every girl I see. Before you say anything I know I was like that in college, but even then I had discretion. A lot of those women never saw the inside of my dorm room, you just assumed they did and I maaaay have let others assume that too. I had a reputation to upkeep.” He said with a wink. Bridgette rolled her eyes and playfully swatted his hand away. “But seriously Bridge…didn’t you notice that every woman I’ve dated looks like you?”

She sat up quickly, “What? That’s a little creepy.” She looked off to the corner of the room trying to recall the women in his past. “Oh wow…I guess you’re right. Dude that’s kind of weird, not going to lie.”

“I was desperate! I wanted you so bad but I knew I’d fuck it all up and I’d lose you forever. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to my sweetheart, I’d be a shell of a man without you.”

She blushed a little at the sentiment, “Why did you think you would screw it up? You never even gave me a chance.”

“Because I was immature and an idiot. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to give you a chance, it was that I didn’t feel like I deserved you. You are the perfect woman Bridge, you always challenge me, make me feel valued and worthy and you love me unconditionally. When we first met you were adorable, I probably had a little crush on you but let’s be honest it was very illegal and not appropriate with our age difference back then. Watching you grow up was kind of gut wrenching to be honest.” He scrubbed his face with his hand like he was trying to erase some memories from his head.

Bridgette furrowed her brow in confusion, “How so?”

“Well, I watched the guys start to take notice of you and I knew I couldn’t ‘protect’ you as much as I wanted to but I also knew I couldn’t have you…even though, I have to admit some of my intensions toward you were not so innocent either. You were always so sweet and innocent, I knew you weren’t naive but man there were times in the summer at my parent’s pool that I had a hard fucking time keeping my hands off your bikini clad ass!” They both laughed as she leaned into his chest in slight embarrassment.

“Listen Bridge, the bottom line is I don’t deserve you.” She shook her head and gave him a shy smile, she was about to respond when he leaned in planted a long, slow kiss on her lips. Pulling back he tucked her hair behind her ear as he looked into her eyes, “I love you and I’m so sorry it took me this long to tell you.”

Her entire body felt like it was melting. Hearing him say those words to her in such a vulnerable state was intoxicating. “You know I love you more.” Luke rolled his eyes and shook his head playfully. “So what happens now?”

“Well, now is when you kiss me back and then I attempt to make a smooth move to get you on your back again.” He gave her an over exaggerated wink and his best boyishly charming grin.

“You know what I mean…what are we doing?” Before he could answer she placed her hand on his chest and quickly followed up with an explanation. “Listen I know these questions are uncomfortable and taboo, nobody wants to be the person asking where things are going and what are title is, but I’m not wasting any more time playing games. Time to just lay it all out there.” She said with a dramatic sweeping hand motion.

Luke proper himself up against his pillows and patted to his side for he to come join him. Tucking her in to his side he kissed her forehead, “You’re mine and I’m yours, that’s what we are. I want exclusivity, I want to be your best friend and your lover. The person you run to when you’re sad or hurt or have the most exciting news…I want it all baby. And you’re right, we have wasted far too much time, I’m not asking you to rush things or to put yourself in an uncomfortable position but I know whatever you want or need I’m willing to give it to you.”

Bridgette snuggled into him closer, draping her arm over his chest and squeezing tightly. “I couldn’t have said it better. Although…” She hesitated, “Can we just keep this between us for now?” Luke’s brow furrowed in confusion. “Not a secret but I’d like to just enjoy having time as us without Grant and Harper’s prying eyes and nosey texts.” Her annoyed demeanor could not be more dramatized, the truth was she loved how much their friends cared about them, how they both wanted them to just be happy in life.

Luke pulled her closer and kissed the top of her head, “Absolutely. I think I’d like the general idea of sneaking around with you.” He reached down and gave her bottom a quick pinch to which she responded with a yelp and an attempt to swat him away. “Although I have to say, there is definitely something brewing between Grant and Harper. Have they hooked up?”

Bridgette shot up, “I was going to ask you the same thing?! I asked Harper and she denied it but they are so flirty it’s ridiculous! I’m thinking we need to do a little match making.” She clapped her hands together and rubbed them furiously as if she were concocting a plan.

“Oh god I’m sorry I said anything.” Luke moaned.

Bridgette climbed on top of him and playfully pinned his arms over his head, “You listen here Luke Foster, I wear the pants in this relationship and what I say goes!” She tried to keep a face but burst into giggles as Luke grabbed her wrists, flipping her on her back and pinning them above her head. He had every intention of proving to her just how wrong that statement was.

“So how are you feeling? It’s been almost a week since you guys broke up right?” Harper took a sip of her latte as she spoke to Bridgette.

“Yeah it has, I’m ok…I'm more than ok actually, I’m good.” She nodded her head as she spoke the words. She didn’t want to let on to her friend that she was beyond good, that she was ecstatic and happier then she’d ever been in her life. She and Luke had agreed to hold on to that secret a little longer, savoring the quietness of the relationship for as long possible. “What about you? How are things with Grant?” She said coyly.

Harper snickered as she looked down at her lap, “There’s nothing going on Bridge we’re just friends honestly. Besides, I’ve been so busy with work. My class is in such high demand that they’ve added two more days a week plus I’ve taken on a few private clients so I’m way too busy to be worrying about a social life right now.” She waved her hands as if to emphasize the point and took a long gulp of her drink.

“Mmmhmm, you know what they say about people who over explain things…lyiiiiing.” She was joking with Harper but decided to let it go, she could tell her friend wanted some privacy around the subject to figure things out for herself. She absolutely understood that desire now more than ever.

She hated keeping things from her best friend but she was still in shock herself about things with Luke. She wanted nothing more than to tell her friend how happy she finally was, that everything she went through was worth it because she finally had everything she ever wanted. If she were honest with herself she was scared that she would blink and it would all disappear. The past week had been wonderful, she had spent almost every night with Luke since that first night. She was worried she wouldn’t know how to handle the next morning or the next day but things just flowed naturally between them.

“So how are things with Luke? Things seemed pretty tense last week, you guys get stuff worked out?”

“Uh yeah, you could say that. We’re good, ya know…things have a funny way of working out. I’m not worried about it.” She tried to act calm but she could hear herself being a little chatty and non-comital in her response.

“Well when you’re ready to get back out there let me know, there’s this trainer at my gym who is to die for and I think you guys would really hit it off. Before you respond! I’m not saying this is your future husband, but he could be a good time. Plus you need to get your mind off Paul, no wallowing!”

“Honestly Harper I’m ok, it was a clean breakup. I’m bounced back and in a good headspace so no need to go setting up me on blind dates.” She said with a super enthusiastic double thumbs up.

“Okay well just keep an open mind. Now are we hitting up that wine bar on 55th tonight? Did you invite Luke?” The girls gathered their things and started heading toward the door of the cafe.

Bridgette glanced at her watch, she was supposed to be meeting Luke this morning actually after her workout and coffee date with Harper. “Yes and yes. I’ll text Luke and confirm that he and Grant are still coming. I’ll see you there at 9?”

Harper confirmed and the girls hugged before going their separate ways. Bridgette had an extra pep in her step as she rounded the corner of the block and grabbed an Uber to head over to Luke’s house.