Chapter Fifteen

SIMON

Changing course, I carry Magnolia to my room. Since the covers are already kicked down to the foot of the bed, I softly deposit her right in the center so she can choose the side she sleeps on.

“Do you want me to run to your room and grab you something to sleep in?”

“I’ll just t-take one of your sh-shirts, if that’s okay with y-you?”

“That’s more than okay with me.” I walk to my dresser and grab her a soft, worn, cotton T-shirt that I’ve had forever. “Here ya go. You can get changed while I go grab your stuff from the truck and lock up.”

“Thanks, Simon.” Her voice is so damn soft, I hardly hear her. I let my stare linger, making sure she’s okay—as okay as she can be, given the circumstances.

Keys in hand, I walk out to my truck and grab her shit before hitting the lock button. Back inside, I hang my keys and deposit her purse and bag onto the couch. I take my time heading back to my room in case she needs a few minutes to herself. After double-checking the locks and grabbing a sip of water, I finally make my way back to her.

Despite the heavy events of the night, my cheeks split into a wide grin when I see Magnolia’s sleeping form snuggled up on the side of the bed I usually sleep on. There’s something so right about her being in my bed. Hell, if I could, I’d never let her leave it, even if all we ever did in it was hold one another.

Flicking open the button of my jeans, I shuck them off, along with my shirt and socks. I do, however, throw on a pair of sweatpants, as I’m not sure Magnolia would appreciate me hopping into bed with her while clad in only my boxer briefs.

The second my head hits the pillow, she turns over to face me, seeking out my comfort in her sleep. She wriggles around until her head is resting on my chest with her arm thrown over my middle.

Fuck. Lying here with her wrapped around me feels like everything—and I mean everything—I’ve ever wanted. Watching my friends fall in love has been nothing short of amazing, but deep down I was slightly jealous of their connections. Here, now, I feel like I’m floating on cloud fucking nine.

The sound of Magnolia’s deep breathing fills the room, and slowly, I drift off to sleep.

§

MAGNOLIA

I don’t remember falling asleep. I wanted so badly to wait for Simon to climb into bed beside me, to talk to him about everything that’s happened, but I just couldn’t keep my eyes open long enough to do so.

However, I’m starting to think waking up next to Simon is far better than watching him get into bed with me. Since I was already asleep, we skipped over the awkwardness and apparently jumped right to cuddling.

Now, here I am with my head nestled into that space between his shoulder and his neck with his chest acting as a pillow. Our arms are wrapped tightly around one another, and one of my legs is tucked between his.

I tilt my chin and press a soft, hesitant kiss to Simon’s skin. The contact causes him to stir a bit in his sleep. Feeling braver, I drop my lips to his chest again, firmer this time.

Simon grunts. “Feels so good, Magnolia.”

Oh crap! He’s awake. But, he seems to like it…

“Don’t gotta stop,” he says, his voice thick and rough with sleep.

His words spur me on, and I press closer to him, gasping when his now very obvious hardness brushes against my leg. The knowledge that I can turn him on like that makes butterflies take flight, swooping down low in my belly.

Simon looks down at me and smiles before capturing my lips in a scorching kiss. His tongue begs for entry, licking at the seam of my lips, and I immediately open, the contact making us both groan in pleasure.

Simon rolls to his back, somehow maneuvering us so that I’m now straddling him. Slowly, with his eyes never leaving mine, he rolls his hips, eliciting a strangled moan from me. “You like that?” he asks, sounding cocky but sincere all at once.

“So much,” I pant, desperate for more. Luckily, Simon doesn’t keep me waiting.

“You trust me?” There’s a vulnerability to his voice that makes me shiver. I nod, and he flips us so he’s hovering over me. “I want to see you.”

I gulp. My nerves war with my libido, but the sight of Simon poised above me, looking like the best thing that’s ever happened to me has me sitting up and pulling my borrowed shirt over my head.

“Oh, goddamn.” He bites his fist at the sight of my naked breasts. “So, so perfect,” he murmurs as he tests their weight in his hands. “I want to see all of you.”

I nod and he moves back, trailing his fingers down my sides as he goes until he reaches the seam of my panties. He hooks his fingers into them on each side and slowly drags them down my legs. He crawls back up my body and seals his lips to mine, drowning me with his kisses.

Simon slides his hand down my body, pausing to grip my hip before trailing down to my inner thigh. I gasp at the feeling of his hand so, so close to where I need him the most.

“Let me make you feel good?” His words are choppy, as if he’s barely able to restrain himself.

Nodding, I lift my hips.

“Need the words, Magnolia.”

“Yes, Simon, please—” The words have barely left my lips when I feel Simon shift his hand higher. “Wait!” My words stop him cold.

“What? Are you okay?” I expect him to be angry, but instead he sounds concerned.

“I-I’m fine. It’s…it’s just…I w-want to feel you too.”

Simon stares at me for a beat, and I’m so nervous he’ll reject me. When he moves off of me, I try my hardest not to let my emotions show, but then when he kicks off his sweats and underwear, I realize I read him wrong. He’s not rejecting me; he’s giving me everything he knows I need.

Once he’s situated back between my legs, he resumes kissing me like his life depends on it. I rock against him, desperate for friction, and Simon responds, lining us up just right.

“D-do you want me?” I ask, sounding small and nervous.

“So much,” he grits out.

“I’m yours, Simon.”

Simon reaches toward his nightstand and stops. “I don’t have any protection.”

I take a deep breath in then release it. “It’s okay. We’re okay. I…I can’t have kids.”

I’m almost expecting him to run from the room, but my Simon is full of surprises. “You trust me that much?”

“I really do,” I say as a single, solitary tear slips down my cheek.

Simon pushes into me so slowly it’s almost painful. My need for this man is painful. “So right. So, so right.” He breathes the words against my lips, his eyes never leaving mine.

Simon makes love to me with his body, his words, his eyes, and when we’re both sated and spent, he rolls to his side and pulls me into him. “You’re so damn perfect, Magnolia. I’m not sure I deserve you, but I swear to God, I’ll never stop trying to be good enough for you.”