Escape

Chapter Twenty-Four

I wake up the next morning to an empty bed. The divot in the mattress left by Samuel is still visible, and warm, so he couldn't have been gone for long. I sit up and look around, the sun is already shining through the window, illuminating the bedroom. I check my phone for the time and it reads 11:30 am. I can't remember the last time I slept in this late. Granted, the evening was full of... exercise, and we were up super late.

I go to pull the duvet off of me to find Samuel when I hear the stairs begin to creek. Samuel is making his way up the stairs with a mug in each hand. He sits beside me and hands me a beautifully hot coffee with the perfect amount of creamer. I prefer my coffee to look like a lightly toasted marshmallow, and Samuel once again is taking his black. He doesn't say anything to me, right away. He crawls into bed, careful not to spill any coffee, offers me a smile and leans against the headboard, inviting me into his chest. I move over, accepting his invitation and the coffee. The hot liquid warms my entire body as I melt deeper into Samuel. He plants a soft kiss on my head as he enjoys his own coffee.

In this moment, life is perfect. In this moment, nothing else seems to matter. Is this how it's supposed to feel? Being with someone? Loving someone? Not that I'm saying I love Samuel. But, I could. Do I? I mean, I've only known him for a short while, but I may. It would be a no brainer. He's insanely handsome, kind, and understands both my mind and my body in ways no one ever has. He has demons, sure, but don't we all? He has a past addiction habit, and I have a husband that sees me as an addiction. We're both running from these demons hoping they don't catch up to us and drag us back down to the depths of wherever they may take us.

I shake off these thoughts as Samuel pulls me from them.

"Payton?" He asks.

I clear my throat after taking another sip of coffee, "Yeah?"

He laughs, "You just seemed like you were somewhere else for a moment, like another planet. Another world."

"Believe me, there's nowhere else I'd rather be than right here." I lean up and plant a soft kiss on his stubbly jawline. I kind of dig him with the five o' clock shadow.

"So, does that mean you don't want to do what I planned for us today?" He replies, teasingly.

I perk up, "Plans?"

He smiles, "I want to take you somewhere."

"Hm, like... to breakfast?" I reply as my stomach begins to growl.

His stomach returns a growl and we both laugh, "Well, yes. Breakfast first, but I want to take you somewhere. Some place special."

"Like?" I return.

"Like, my place."

I look at him strangely, "Um, I believe I've been to your place. Got a lovely tour while I was there."

He laughs and studies my face, "No, not my home. My place. I mean, I call it my place." He pauses, "You'll see, that is if you're willing to move today." He winks at me and plants a small kiss on my forehead. If I wasn't still so incredibly sore from last night, I'd take him again right here to polish off this perfect morning.

We both finish our coffee and make our way to the bathroom. I turn the shower on, and we undress as we wait for the water to turn warm. There's not much to remove since I'm still wearing Samuels black tattered shirt and all he's wearing is briefs. I throw my hair up to avoid washing it since it's already almost noon.

As we're waiting, he takes a few steps towards me and brings his lips to mine. Initially, I was horrified. I have not brushed my teeth today and I can't imagine it's very sexy. I try to push this thought from my mind because Samuel doesn't seem to notice or mind as he holds me in the kiss for what feels like seconds and an eternity at the same time.