The Affair

Chapter 8

The light coming in through the windows is so bright that I have to shield my eyes from it, I roll away, and jump when I hit her body. For a moment it disorients me that she's asleep in my bed, but that feeling quickly dissipates.

I stare at her. When was the last time I slept next to a woman? Not since I was sixteen, so almost thirty years ago. And Theodora knows about that now. I don't feel anxiety over the fact she knows. She's someone I'm sure I can trust, even if I don't know her very well. It doesn't make much sense. I've been with so many other women, similar to her, but there's just something about her I can't ignore.

After a moment of thought, I move closer to her. As I climb on top of her she jumps, then smiles sleepily. I can still smell her perfume, ever so vaguely, and I rest my face in the crook of her neck. I'll have to ask her what that exact scent is.

"You're very heavy," she mutters. "And warm."

I smile. She's quite adorable when she's just woken up. Her voice is lower than it usually is, sleepy, and I think of how cute it sounds.

"Good morning to you, too. How do you feel?"

"Mm. Sore."

"Good."

"Why is that good?"

"Because every time it hurts you'll be reminded of me being inside of you."

She sighs and her cheeks blush, which makes my smile grow.

"I don't have to be sore to think about it. Or dream about it. Or want it."

"Hm. Have many times have you dreamt about me?"

"Too many times to count," she whispers.

For the first time she opens her eyes and I move off of her so that we're face to face. She's obviously not a morning person. I can be, but it depends on how much I drank the night before. If I had far too much I'm cranky and easily aggravated. But right now, I'm wide awake, and feel... happy. She's dreamt of me more than just the two times I know about. That's now all I'm happy about. The fact that she's here in my bed this way...

"I've dreamt of you, too."

That wakes her up somewhat, but she's clearly very tired. Why wouldn't she be? We made love twice, well fucked the second time, and I'm sure it was a lot for her.

"What were your dreams of me about?"

"I think you already know the answer to that."

"I think I do," she whispers.

I move, lay down on my back, and she's nestling her face against my chest.

"Are you hungry? I could fix us something to eat."

"I'm starving, actually. But so sleepy."

"Sex will do that to you," I murmur with a smile. "I'll go throw something together. Go back to sleep if you'd like."

I kiss her softly on the mouth and by the time I've put my robe on, she's asleep again.

Both Sophie and Keira are awake already. Keira is laying across the couch on her phone, but looks up and smiles at me.

"Good morning."

"Morning, Uncle Ben."

"How was the show?"

She shrugs her shoulders and smiles.

"Eh. Mum liked it. Wasn't really my thing."

"I'm sure. Where is your mum?"