From the start (Joel Miller x Reader) (EDITED)

Chapter 7

The soft morning light wrapped the room in a golden haze, casting gentle shadows across the sheets. You felt Joel's warmth pressed against you, his arm securely around your waist like an anchor, grounding you in this rare moment of calm. The steady rhythm of his breathing was like a soothing lullaby, pulling you deeper into the intimacy between you.

Slowly, you shifted, turning to face him. His eyes were half-closed, heavy with sleep but soft and full of something tender—something unspoken. Your gaze locked, a silent conversation flowing between you as he leaned in to press a delicate kiss to your bare shoulder. The contact sent a small shiver down your spine, the simplicity of the gesture speaking volumes.

"You're not a morning person, are you?" you teased gently, your voice low and playful.

Joel chuckled, a warm, husky sound that vibrated against your skin. "Nope. Mornings have never been my thing," he murmured, still heavy with sleep. "But having you here? That definitely makes getting up a little easier."

You curled closer into him, feeling safe and cherished. His fingers traced slow, absent patterns on your arm, his touch light but grounding.

"So," Joel said, voice quiet but curious, "what's on the agenda today? Anything exciting?"

You stretched, a small smile tugging at your lips. "Nothing crazy. Maybe a lazy morning, then some work later. You?"

Joel's smile deepened, his eyes lighting up just a little as he pressed a soft kiss to your forehead. "Thinking of heading down to the lake. Maybe do a bit of fishing. It's how I clear my head—just me and the water."

You nodded thoughtfully, then noticed the look in his eyes as he hesitated before speaking again.

"I was thinking..." Joel began, voice tentative, "maybe you'd want to come with me to the cabin? It's peaceful there. A nice change from the city."

The offer hung between you, heavy with possibility and uncertainty. You bit your lip, the memory of last night's conversation—the age gap, the divorce, the fragile state of what was unfolding—making you pause.

"Joel," you started carefully, "I don't know if that's the best idea right now. You said it yourself—it might be too soon. I don't want to push things."

He nodded slowly, his understanding clear. "I know. I meant what I said. But I also care about you. I want to spend time with you—without rushing anything. Just... take it one day at a time."

In that moment, Joel's vulnerability was palpable. You could see the battle inside him—the part that wanted to protect you from more hurt, and the part that was drawn irresistibly to you.

The connection he had with you was unlike anything he had experienced since Sarah's mom. There was a magnetic pull, an undeniable chemistry that he couldn't ignore. The warmth he felt in your presence, the way your smiles lit up the room, it all stirred something within him that he hadn't felt in years.

Your heart ached with the raw honesty in his words. The divorce, the complexities—they were all real, but so was the connection pulsing between you both.

You reached out, taking his hand in yours, a small but deliberate gesture of trust. "Okay," you whispered, "I'll come with you."

Joel's face lit up with a genuine, joyful smile. Without warning, he scooped you up effortlessly and laid you gently back onto the bed. His eyes sparkled with mischief and affection as he hovered over you, lips brushing yours in a series of soft, lingering kisses.

As Joel continued to plant sweet kisses on your face, his beard tickled your skin, causing a fit of laughter to bubble up from deep within you. The room echoed with your joyful laughter, and Joel couldn't help but join in, his own chuckles blending with yours.