Page 99 of Running
But Idohave fun paying her back in my big whirlpool bathtub, with the removable nozzles that gush water at high pressure at all the fun places on her body…
CHAPTER 31
Grace
When I open my eyes the next morning, the first sensation I feel is warmth. Not emotionally, though that too.Literalwarmth.
Johnson runs hot in his sleep, and he has an arm and a leg thrown over me. I’m baking where his skin is touching mine.
No complaints though, because it’s the best feeling. I snuggle into him, and he pulls me in tighter, mumbling something.
I drift back to sleep until his alarm goes off—he has to be up before me because his practice begins two hours earlier than my classes.
After he turns off the alarm, he rolls back over and recaptures me in his embrace, kissing the top of my head.
“Now I get Wednesday mornings with you too,” he says in a low, sleepy voice. “I could get used to this.”
“Mmmmm,” I mumble.
He kisses my cheek as he moves to sit up. “Stay there, stay comfortable. I’m going to start moving here.”
After he goes into the bathroom, I force myself to wake up. I don’t want to linger at his house after he’s gone because that feels too forward for the first sleepover.
So when he comes out of the bathroom,I crawl out of the bed to claim it for myself. He eyes my disheveled state—my hair is a bird’s nest and my cotton sleep set is thoroughly wrinkled—and grins.
“You look so cute when you wake up, Goldie,” he says.
“I’m a hot mess, but thank you.”
“I like the hot mess version too, then. All the versions, remember?” He kisses my forehead. “I’ve got a surprise for you in the kitchen when you are done, meet me there.”
I head into the bathroom and get myself presentable. I’m going to run at Tolliver since I’ll be so early today, so I skip a shower until after, instead slipping on my running clothes.
Hair in a ponytail, cute workout gear on, and a ton of SPF 30 moisturizer applied later, I make my way out to the kitchen.
Johnson is brewing coffee for himself. When he sees me approach, he opens up his arms, and following his cue, I step into them and enjoy the embrace.
“It’s nice having you here,” he says in a gentle voice, his chin resting on the top of my head.
“I like being here,” I say into his chest.
“You ready for your surprise?” he asks instead. “It’s not a big one. I should probably manage expectations here.”
“You know me and how much I like surprises,” I tease. “What is it?”
He loosens his arms and turns towards the counter, where there’s already a full mug.
“I got you chai tea. I’m not sure it’s a good brand. If you have a preference, let me know and I can get a different one.”
I go over to the mug and take a sip. “It’s so yummy. You picked this up yesterday after I said I might come?”
He hesitates a second, and then…is that a blush on his cheeks? “Actually, I got it in my grocery order last week, just in case.”
Oh my god. I’m melting.
“Thanks, Johnson,” I say, closing the space between us and pushing up on my toes for a peck on his lips. “It’s perfect.”
He grins as I step back, looking happy he got it right. “I needto get moving out the door, unfortunately. But I’ll call you tonight?”
