Page 89 of Fierce-Colson

Or had it been building behind the scenes for years?

Every time he heard her name.

Saw her at the courthouse.

Those reminders of a time when life was just... simple.

Or as simple as it could have been for him.

Now everything was complicated, and yet, why didn’t it feel that way?

He grabbed the creamer he’d picked up after he’d dropped Bella and Tiff off at Tiff’s house for the night, poured it into Marly’s mug and carried both cups upstairs.

She rolled over in bed when he walked in, her eyes open, clear, bright and smiling.

Her brown hair was spread on the pillow, the result of the tussle in the sheets they’d done a few times.

Hell, he wasn’t sure of the last time he had that much sex in one night.

Maybe when he was younger and life seemed to call for it.

Back then, it was more about bragging rights with the woman he was with, than the need to just not stop.

Like this clawing in the back of his neck telling him he wasn’t sure when he’d get to be with her again so they had to take advantage of the time now.

“Morning,” he said. “Don’t you look beautifully a mess.”

“I think that is a compliment,” she said, her hand reaching for the mug.

She pulled it in, wrapped her other hand around it and then brought it to her lips.

“Not too strong?”

“It’s good.” She lifted some, looked into his mug. “These aren’t the same. No way.”

“No. Mine is dark shit and heavier. I gave you one of Bella’s.”

“Thanks for that. I think yours might grow hair on my body in places I’d rather not see it.”

He ran his finger over her cheek then down her chin, their eyes locked, her breath steady. “I wouldn’t mind.”

She let out a laugh and scooted up some. “I would.” She sipped more of her coffee. “What time do you have to get Bella?”

“A few hours. Normally around eleven. We’ve got time.”

“I’ll be gone long before that,” she said. “I’ve got things to do.”

He brushed her hair from her face and tucked it behind her ear. “Got a lot on your mind with work? Or other things?”

“Work is always there,” she said. “But it was nice to take a break from it last night.”

He leaned down and kissed her quickly. “I’m glad you stayed.”

“I had planned on it. Or wanted to, but just didn’t want to assume either.”

“It never occurred to me to ask.”

“Glad I didn’t wait for it,” she said. She put the mug down. “I have clothes. They are in my bag by your front door.”