Becoming Us (COMPLETE)

*Nine*

I woke, and peeked around the darkened room, finding myself alone, but a deep breath filled me with a sense of total contentment. Tre's scent surrounded me—soap mixed with something earthy and masculine unique to him.

Under the soft sheets, I stretched and noticed a pleasant soreness between my legs. Images of everything Tre had done to cause that ache filled my mind and caused a shiver to crawl up my spine. I rolled over and smiled, noticing the bedroom door was open just enough to let a sliver of light shine in from the hall.

Falling asleep with my cheek pressed against Tre's chest and his arms hugging me close had felt so right. I'd thought we'd wake up together too. Nerves twisted in my stomach.

Would things be weird between us this morning? Maybe I shouldn't have slept here? Surely if he'd wanted me to leave, he would've said something.

I shook my head. That was enough worrying. Standing, I wrapped the loose sheet around myself and padded quietly to the bathroom.

Clean towels were folded over a bar on the wall. After washing my face, I snuck a quick look in the cabinet under the sink and spotted a new toothbrush. Tre wouldn't mind if I stole that.

Refreshed, I looked at myself in the mirror and smoothed my hair as much as I could without a brush. I had one in my purse, but couldn't remember exactly where I'd left that. Straightening my sheet-dress, I went to find the source of the light.

It came from the room at the end of the hall, along with soft music. I moved silently, peered around the edge of the doorframe, and my jaw dropped. The walls were covered by rows of beautiful canvases with an eclectic range of subjects.

In the corner, sitting on a stool watching me, was Tre. He was working on a canvas I could only see the back of, and when I met his eye, he smiled. "You're up early."

These were all his work. "You're a painter!" I stared at him in awe.

"I told you that." He arched an eyebrow and chuckled. "Why do you look surprised?"

"I thought you painted houses! You didn't tell me you were so talented. You're an artist!"

Holding the sheet to my chest, I crossed the room to look more closely at a painting of colorful woods. Hidden in the trees were tiny fairies, and in the grass a fairy family was having a picnic. They faced away, but their posture was playful, and their wings seemed to glow. It was an imaginative and striking picture.

Tre's arms slid around me from behind and he pressed a sweet kiss to my neck. "What do you think?"

"It's amazing." I leaned against his warm chest. "It looks like the cover of a children's book."

"Thank you. It's one of my favorites." He hugged me tighter and rested his chin on my shoulder.

"What made you paint it?"

"Originally, it was for a customer that requested something with fairies for a nursery."

I peeked back at him. "And they didn't like it? Are they crazy?"

His smile caused flutters in my tummy. "I never showed it to them. I decided I wasn't ready to part with it, so I made them something new. It was a more childish version of the tea party you see here, and they loved it."

"Wow." I scanned the walls, taking in all the beautiful things he'd made. "So someone asked for all of these?"

"A few are commissions, but most of them are examples for classes at my studio."

I turned to face him. "Your studio?"

"Umm, hmm." He brushed his fingers over my cheek, and the way he studied me sent a tingle straight through me.