Page 92 of The Catch

"Now imagine when I get to show you what my body can really do to yours."

"There's more?"

"I'm sure there is. We'll do this for a bit, right? In fact, we should continue the discovery process to really get started—"

He makes as if he's going to keep going for another hour or two.

I laugh.

He gives me a sleepy, dimpled smile, and brings me close. We kiss, but I keep it soft and gentle.

I put a hand on his chest. "Tomorrow."

He sighs. "All right."

Tomorrow I'll wonder how longa bitmeans. Tomorrow I'll wonder what happens next.

Chapter 29

Ames

Waking up on my side is a normal occurrence. Opening my eyes to find a glorious, golden brown body next to mine isn't.

The onslaught of memories it brings is a welcome adrenaline shot. His perfectly round ass, a revelation among buttery sheets, makes me wish I woke up like this every morning. With a view of his thick thighs. The gentle hills of his back muscles. His face is half hidden in his pillow, and the sweet curl on his lips is something I'd like to see first thing every day, too.

I'm high from the aftermath of the night before.

I had never had sex that was so unscripted, so liberating, so generous before. My abs are sore from my orgasms. A smile rests on my lips, too, and I have to wonder if it was there while I slept.

Man, Saint loves to please a woman. It didn't feel like a performance. He loved pleasing me. I feltadored. And from the way we're holding hands, it was special to him, too.

In the sunlight that filters through the thick curtains, a deep inner warmth blooms.

He deserves to brag… and a good meal to nourish us, recover, and prepare for more.

I carefully get out of bed so as not to wake him up. The tank top I use as a pajama shirt lays on the floor, forgotten after falling off my bed the night before. Wearing nothing but that and my underwear, I grab my phone and tip toe out of the room. My last sight as I close the door is Saint's ass.

With a grin on my face, I collect ingredients and prep everything on the kitchen island. It's late in the morning and brunch is his favorite meal, so I put some effort into it. A mushroom omelette, some julienne-cut veggies, cheese, fruit… if I make some arepas as well, it might prompt those dimples to show up first thing in my day as well.

Damn, I still feel like I'm glowing. Cutting through a red pepper and smiling like I am one with nature. Cleaning the insides lovingly like I will gently wash the seeds to plant in my beloved garden.

Last night, Saint said he'd been thinking about it for a long time. The way he treated me, I believe him. He must have been so used to getting whoever he wanted that waiting for this chance with me had him pent up. Making him lose it and come in his boxers? It will surely make it to the highlight reel of my life when I die. However long this lasts, I will remember this night above all. Even if it all leads to Saint teaching me how to end things earlier than I ever have.

The last thought falls on me like a cold mist. It dampens my shine. But I can't forget we're doing this for a short while. This is not the happily ever after I seek. Saint doesn't see romance through the same lens I do. He's already always himself, and that includes having no interest in permanent attachments. I can't forget it.

Red strips fill a bowl. I take one and munch on it mindlessly. With my free hand, I put a few strawberries to soak in water and a bit of white vinegar.

It'sgoodthat this thing with Saint won't last. This way, I won't be tempted to lose myself in him, and I won't lose him. Being with Saint for a short while will teach me all the lessons I've been missing out on. With his kindness, with those revelations he called rules… In just one night, a new philosophy is taking shape.

Boredom isn't the price of comfort. Monotony isn't the price of security. And predictable sex isn't the price of being with someone forever.

I sigh and leave the strawberries to their bath. I pick up my phone. Last night, I wrote something quick to Evie to let everyone know I was leaving and not to worry. I didn't explain much, and I fully expect to have a small interrogation waiting for me in my texting app.

Evie didn't disappoint. She sent several messages asking to know who I left with and wanting to hear all of the details, asking me to text her in the morning with proof of life. I smile. Her concern is sweet and brings happy bubbles to my stomach.

Her last text, sent an hour earlier, doesn't.

Evie: Hey! I haven't heard from you yet, so I'm keeping an eye out for your message, but I'm sending this new one anyway because if I were you, I'd want to know. News about Aidan came up during my general media check this morning. He's been out and about with a few different dates. People online are commenting on it because it's new, and it may be promo for his album, but his fans are speculating because they know about the breakup. Let me know if you want to talk about it <3