2 months

She was standing on the couch, one leg on either side of him.

He sat, head back against the sofa,

looking up at her.

He caught glimpses of skin through the leg of her shorts.

That smile...

he knew,

any minute now,

her attention would return to him.

Their eyes would lock

and they’d excuse themselves.

Their house guests would have to make themselves at home and enjoy some the rest of the evening without them.

They had arrived 2 months ago. Her friends had loved her long enough that she had asked them to stay for a proper holiday. She was enjoying having them there to witness this newness she had dived right into with him.

These people were her soul and, though he had been nervous at first, he quickly realized this was a gift. What better way to get to know her quickly than to also spend time with the people who had been there all of the other times when she had had to rebuild herself from seemingly nothing.

And they loved her well. The moment came and they said their goodnights. While walking up the stairs to bed, she had slid her hand into the back pocket of his jeans and he had started tickling her all over. He was studying her and loved finding new places where she was so sensitive she could not contain the giggles. Her giggles were his reason for living. Really, all of her sounds made him breathe easier. Some also made him breathe deeper and faster. He became calm in her presence and tonight he would show her how he felt, again and again, until she fell asleep smiling and warm.

Morning always arrived so soon but she enjoyed it. The soft sheets, comfy bed, his legs entwined with hers. Breath tickling her bare scapula, his hand in her underwear for warmth.

Sparkling sunlight through the windows, white light outside.

‘is that coffee?’

She ran down the list of house guests.

Jesse didn't enjoy getting out of bed this early though he did when he felt he must. Silva often made sure he had to...get up early. She loved feeling the morning dew under her feet while she breathed and stretched her body. Marco was most assuredly not awake yet and Lilah was right there next to him, aware only of the dream world beneath their closed lids.

Maybe Stephen. He liked mornings and he really loved making them enjoyable for the rest of us who would usually rather stay in bed.

She rolled over and felt a tickle in her underwear. He smiled and pulled her close.

‘mmmmmoooorning’

Her ears relished the sound of sleep in his throat...dammit he is beyond sexy. Moments like this she could feel her heartbeat in every muscle. Her body belonged to him and he knew it.

At some point, after giggling and tickles, she was out of bed, fresh-faced, and mostly dressed enough for breakfast.

Down in the kitchen, as expected, she found Stephen. He moved through the kitchen like it was his own. She had asked him just last night if he would help her design her future kitchen. He had jumped at the chance because he loved to eat and to eat one must know how to cook. Sometimes she would sit at the counter and marvel at her life and the beauty to be found everywhere she looked and today was no different.

He had cut up some fruit and cheeses, even some of the vegan ones she'd made the week before. There were Japanese sweet potatoes and bacon made right here on the farm as well as eggs from the chickens down the path.

She could hear a shower running in the distance and some muffled talking as some of them headed down the stairs. They had all been drawn out by the scent of delicious meats and coffee. It felt almost too much like an ad.