The One After [SHAWN MENDES]

Chapter 86

I woke up with Shawn's arm draped over me. He was snoring lightly, so I remained still and reflected on the night before. We'd both been pretty silly during sex, but I honestly loved that more than if it had been like something out of a romance novel. The marijuana contributed to how we'd acted, but I was certain that it was in large part due to how comfortable we were with each other.

Before she died, my mom told me to find a partner who I could say or do anything in front of without fear of being laughed at or judged. Shawn was the first person I'd been with who made me feel I could be completely myself around, and I was touched when he'd expressed that he felt the same way.

I didn't have this in my dream. I never fully relaxed with him because doubts perpetually plagued my mind. The more I got to know Shawn and the closer we grew, the realization that I'd dreamt about an imperfect relationship became clearer. It was time to put the entire seven months I'd imagined during my coma behind me and live completely in the present.

The warm body next to me stirred and the snoring stopped. I rolled over so that I was facing him and smiled. "Good morning."

He reached over and pushed some hair out of my eyes. "It really is. Waking up like this is wonderful."

"Mmhmmmm, but I need to pee." He let go of me so I could get out of bed. I felt his eyes on me as I walked to the bathroom naked, but it didn't make me feel self-conscious at all; in fact, I hoped it might arouse him so that we could have another go.

When I stepped back into his bedroom, the bed was disappointingly empty, but Shawn appeared a few seconds later. "I had to take a piss, too," he explained when he saw my sad expression.

We both climbed under the duvet and I rested my head on his chest as he stroked my back. "What are your plans today?" I asked.

"I'm going to try to convince you to stay here until tomorrow and then I might make us some eggs."

"Unfortunately I need to go home to feed Inky."

His bottom lip stuck out in an adorable pout. "Right now?"

"Not this second, but pretty soon."

"Do we have time-"

"-for eggs? Definitely," I teasingly interrupted him.

"That's not the kind of scrambling I had in mind."

"I prefer mine over easy."

He laughed loudly but didn't say anything.

"What's so funny?" I asked.

"I was about to say 'I'll turn you over but I'm not gonna go easy.' I felt that was taking the yolk too far."

When I stopped giggling at his ridiculous pun, I kissed him on the mouth. "That's actually my favorite position, so let's go."

His eyes widened but he didn't make another joke. Instead he retrieved a condom from the drawer, positioned me on my knees, and went hard. Afterwards, he used his long fingers to finish the job, and I was pleased that he understood that most women don't orgasm from penetration alone.

Later, as we sat at his counter island eating breakfast, I pointed to the huge floor to ceiling windows that ran the length of his living room. "Your view is spectacular."

"It is," he said softly, and I turned and saw that he was looking at me. He smiled warmly. "Wait...did you mean the Toronto skyline?"

I rolled my eyes. "That was quite a line."

"It might sound that way, but I meant it sincerely. You're so beautiful right now wearing my t-shirt with your messy hair and no makeup. I'd love to take a pic so I can remember this moment."