REECE
Iâd had plenty of sex, but sex with Odette was hands down the best. The way she sounded, the way she moved, the way she let goâit was all amazing. The best part, however, was lying there in bed with her, cuddling into me.
âAre you okay?â I asked, wanting to make sure I hadnât been too rough with her.
âI am. Just a little surprised,â she admitted.
âWhat surprised you?â
âYou bit me,â she squealed.
âYou seemed to like it. In fact, you liked it so much you came all over me,â I teased.
âShut up.â She slapped my chest. My response was to pull her closer.
âI like this. You should move in here.â
âNot right now, maybe once weâve been together longer. I like having my own room.â
âHow about you just sleep in here then?â I suggested, trying to compromise.
âAre you going to keep asking if I say no?â
âI am,â I admitted.
âHow about I keep my room to have a place to go when Iâm feeling overwhelmed and a place to get ready, and Iâll do everything else in here.â
âI can agree to that.â It was basically what I had suggested.
Etta let out a yawn. I rolled onto my back, allowing her to lay her head on my chest as I played with her hair.
âReece?â
âYeah.â
âThanks for being with me,â Etta stated.
âI wouldnât want to be anywhere else.â
***
When I woke up, Etta was still sleeping. She was asleep on the other side of the bed, facing me. She was beautiful all the time, but she seemed so relaxed and worry-free while sleeping. It was easy to forget she was pregnant because she wasnât showing.
I decided to get out of bed and make breakfast, hoping to surprise her with it in bed.
I felt like a giddy schoolboy who had just gotten laid for the first time. Last night was amazing, and now that Iâd had her, I wasnât letting her go. I would show her that we were meant to be and that I would love and protect her.
I kept breakfast simple: eggs, toast, fruit, and some orange juice.
Etta was still sleeping, so I set the tray on the dresser and sat next to her. I bent down and kissed her lips.
âI brought you some food. You need to eat,â I stated as I set the food down.
âYou didnât have to do that.â
âI know, but I wanted to. I also wanted to spend some time with you before going into the office.â
âYouâre working on a Sunday?â Etta asked.
âI have an important case, and I need to get some things done with it.â
âI was going to look at some apartments today and was hoping you could come with me.â
âYou donât have to move out. This could be your home too. That arrangement we made last night can be permanent,â I replied.
âDonât you think itâs too fast?â
Before I answered her, I got up to get the food tray to place in front of her. âI donât. It would be if we just met, but weâve known each other for years.â
âI think it would be best for me to live on my own for a bit. Iâm jumping from one relationship to the next, and I need to be independent,â she tried to argue.
âYou can be independent while living with someone. If you want to pay bills, we can split them. You can even pay for rent,â I suggested, trying to convince her to stay with me.
âCan I think about it?â
âYou can.â
I told her I had to go into the office today, but I didnât. I was actually going out to pick up some baby stuff. I was going to have the office converted into a nursery while she was at work tomorrow. While I had planned this since she moved in, I hoped this would help her decide to stay here.
I wished she werenât so stubborn and would let me take care of her.
âThank you for the food. I havenât been able to stomach a lot of cooked food, and the eggs really hit the spot,â she said.
âIâll keep that in mind for dinner tonight. If this keeps up, you may want to talk to your doctor.â
âItâs just morning sickness. Iâm fine,â she argued.
I made a mental note to find out what medicine pregnant people could take for nausea, so I could pick some up for her. âIf you need anything while Iâm gone, text or call me.â
âI will. Are there any more eggs left?â she asked.
âI can make some more before I go.â
It may just be eggs, but her asking for something made me happy.