Page 48 of Lie With Me
Stirring as I pull into my parking garage, she asks sleepily, “Are we home?”
“As much as I love hearing that come out of your mouth, no. We’re at my place. I was going to run upstairs and grab your stuff before I take you home.”
“Well, I'm up now that I’ve taken a nap. It’s still early. Wanna watch a movie?”
I want to spend as much time with you as you’ll allow.
“Absolutely, we can do that.”
We hold hands on the way back up to my apartment. It’s comfortable and casual, making me wonder if I just continue treating her like she’sactually my girlfriend, if maybe she’ll realize we have a good thing going.
“Do you want some clothes to change into?” I ask as she slips off her boots.
“That would be amazing. And I need to use the bathroom, if you don’t mind.” Her cheeks flush as she says it.
Pulling her close, I tuck her hair behind her ear and kiss the tip of her nose. “There’s nothing to be embarrassed about, Viv. Let me grab you some clothes, and you can do whatever you need to.”
“You are such a great guy, Tripp. You know that? Any woman would be incredibly lucky to have you.”
“Well, Valentina,youhave me right now. Don’t take it for granted.”
After she changes into a pair of my sweatpants and a plain black t-shirt, we settle on the couch with Fudge Cookie Talenti and put onEat, Pray, Lovebecause Lenni loves Julia Roberts.
“She’s just so classically beautiful. Timeless. You know?”
“Uh-huh,” I murmur, not paying attention to the movie but to the way Lenni’s spoon keeps disappearing between her lush lips as she sucks gelato off it.
She looks good in my clothes, her hair thrown up on top of her head and secured with a tie she found in her purse, the heating pad pressed against her lower abdomen.
“God, this was good. I’ve never had it before. Thank you for introducing me to the magic that isgelato.” The spoon clangs against her bowl as she leans forward and puts it on the tray in front of us.
“Come here.” I’ve been waiting for her to finish so I can spoon her and press her body against mine. “Come lay with me.”
Lenni doesn’t even hesitate, repositioning herself to lie on her side, back to my chest, as she snuggles against me. “I can’t promise I’ll stay like this for long. Now that I’ve had sweets, I need something salty.”
Even though she opened herself up for it, I don’t make the ‘my nuts are salty’joke because it’s juvenile, and I don’t want to annoy her.
“Whatever you want, just let me know. I’ll get it for you.” Placing my hand over the heating pad, I start to rub my fingers in circles like I did earlier. “You know, we can always have sex in the shower. I’ll keep you coming all night if it helps with the pain.”
She laughs and wiggles her butt against my groin. “As nice as that sounds, this is really nice, too. Is that okay? I took some Midol when we got back, and I’m feeling better.”
Pressing a kiss to her temple, I tell her, “Of course, it’s okay.”
Another ten minutes go by before I hear her soft snores and look down to see her fast asleep. Carefully, I remove the heating pad and turn it off. Grabbing my phone, I shoot Ginny a quick message.
What’s Lenni’s favorite restaurant? I wanna take her out on a nice date tomorrow.
Barely a second later, Ginny’s name flashes across my screen. Declining the call, I snap a photo of her best friend asleep in my arms and send it to her with a sleeping emoji.
Ginny
Could you two be more cute? As for the date, take her skating! She loves to ice skate. She’d be happy with that, street meat, and a hot chocolate - preferably not on her outfit ;)
Jackson’s name pops up with a message.
Stop texting my wife this late
She’s not your wife yet