After New York

Chapter 8: Exhale

Hardin

I open my eyes slowly, finding that I'm still asleep on the couch.  The light of the TV glowing in the darkness of the living room. Tessa's small frame is next to mine, wrapped around me tightly. Still sound asleep. I look at the TV and gently reach my arm over her to grab the remote and turn it off.

We must have both fallen asleep during the movie we had been watching.  I watch her as she stirs softly beside me, a gentle moan escaping her lips as she pulls me closer in her slumber. I smile down at her. Her delicate features illuminated only by the moonlight pooling through our apartment window.

I gently brush away a lock of yellow hair that has fallen across her face. Removing her arm from around my waist slowly, doing my best not to disturb her. I find that I am able to sit up and step over her without waking her. She's always been an exceptionally heavy sleeper, and I can't help but smile as she groans in her sleep when her body loses contact with mine.

I bend over. Slipping my hands underneath her curled up body. Lifting her into my arms with ease as she unconsciously wraps hers around my neck. Waking up momentarily. Her eyes still heavy with sleep as they find mine.

"Go back to sleep, baby" I whisper to her softly as I take us into the bedroom. Gently placing her down on the bed. Hearing her let out a comfortable sigh as her body makes contact with the soft mattress.

I look at her jeans and lean over to unbutton them. Pulling down the zipper as she wiggles her body in response to my touch.

"What are you doing, Mr. Scott?" She asks playfully. Half asleep. And I laugh softly. Still trying to keep my voice down so as to not wake her fully.

"These look rather uncomfortable, Miss Young." I whisper and she nods her head. Lifting her hips slightly so I can pull the restrictive clothing down her thighs. Lifting her legs one by one until I have them completely off her and tossed on the floor. Leaving her in just her tank top and her black panties. I can't help but place a soft kiss on her hip bone before standing up to remove my own jeans. My shirt not far behind. Once undressed, I make my way to the other side of the bed. Finding my place next to her and lifting the white comforter over us both. Pulling her body into mine until her back is flush against my chest. I feel her hum in appreciation as I snuggle into her. Pulling my arms tighter around her. Before leaning down to place a feather light kiss on the smooth skin behind her shoulder, followed by another at the curve of her neck. 

"Goodnight baby" I whisper in her ear. My hands finding their favorite spot, just beneath the hem of her tank top. Settling into the warm, soft skin of her belly.

"I Love you." she says sleepily. Her eyes still closed. 

"I love you." I whisper. Placing another kiss on the back of her head, as we both drift back to sleep.

***

"Tess?"

I blink slowly. Trying to verify that the sight in front of me is real, and not another dream.

When I boarded the plane here - I had no plan. No fucking idea how I would get Tessa to see me. Hell, she wouldn't even answer my calls. I am not delusional enough to think she would magically give me the time of day just because I wanted her to. I had considered showing up at her apartment, or even her work. Forcing her to speak with me. But I realized that I know absolutely nothing of her schedule anymore.