From the start (Joel Miller x Reader)

Chapter 7

The soft light of morning filtered through the curtains, and you slowly began to stir from your slumber. As you became aware of your surroundings, you felt the reassuring presence of Joel's arm around your waist. He held you close, pulling you even nearer to him.

The warmth of his body against yours and the gentle rise and fall of his breath brought a sense of tranquility and contentment.

As you turned in Joel's arms to face him, you were met with the sight of his half-lidded, sleepy eyes. There was a quiet, intimate exchange of glances, unspoken words passing between you. He leaned in and placed a soft, lingering kiss on your shoulder, a tender gesture.

As you snuggled in Joel's arms, the early morning light gently illuminated the room. His half-lidded eyes and tousled hair revealed a hint of sleepiness, and you couldn't help but smile, knowing that he wasn't much of a morning person.

"You're not a morning person, are you?" you teased, your voice carrying a playful tone.

Joel let out a soft, sleepy chuckle. "No, not really," he admitted, his voice still warm and tender. "Mornings have never been my strong suit."

You nestled closer to him, finding comfort in his presence. "Well, I guess it's a good thing you have someone to keep you company in the mornings now."

Joel's lips curved into a gentle smile. "That's true. Having you here definitely makes the mornings more bearable."

Joel's fingers traced absentminded patterns on your arm as he continued to speak. "So, any big plans for today?"

You shrugged with a grin. "Nothing too exciting. Maybe a lazy morning, followed by some work. How about you?"

Joel's smile widened, and he placed a soft kiss on your forehead. "I'll probably take a leisurely stroll by the lake, maybe get some fishing in. It's my way of finding some peace and quiet."

As the morning light bathed the room, Joel turned to you with a gentle smile, his eyes searching yours. "I was thinking," he began, "how about you join me for a trip to the cabin? It's peaceful up there, and it might be a nice change of scenery."

The invitation hung in the air, and you hesitated. It had been a whirlwind of emotions since your first weekend getaway with Dani, and the conversation you had the night before about the challenges of pursuing a romantic relationship still lingered in your mind.

You looked into Joel's eyes, uncertainty clouding your thoughts. "Joel, I'm not sure if that's a good idea. You told me last night that it might be too soon for us. I don't want to push things."

Joel nodded, understanding the weight of your concern. "You're right. I did say that, and I meant it. But I also care about you, and I want to spend time with you. It doesn't have to be about rushing into anything. We can take things one step at a time."

As the conversation hung in the air, Joel couldn't deny the truth that he had been wrestling with. He had told you that it might be too soon, that the complexities of his life made pursuing a romantic relationship a challenge. But deep down, he knew he was lying to both you and himself.

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.

Joel understood the complications of his life at the moment. The divorce, the age gap, and the turmoil he had experienced during the past weeks were all very real. But his heart was pulling him toward you, and he couldn't help but be drawn to the depth of the emotions he felt.