PATIENT LOVE

Chapter twenty-nine

The morning light escapes through the curtains of the room as my eyes take in the man beside me. During the night we must have shifted positions because right now he's facing me, his arms draped over my body. His full lips are parted, soft purrs sound from between them. I brush his brown hair back from his forehead, pressing my lips against the skin.

He doesn't react to my gentle action much, only his lips twitching in his deep sleep. A quiet laugh leaves me as his face scrunches up every time my fingertips trace the curve of his eyebrow. With one brief kiss to his lips I lift his arm from my waist and wriggle out from under his weight and then gently lay his arm across the pillow next to him. He stirs slightly but doesn't wake.

I rummage through my dresser to find a bra and shirt and shorts to put on. Looking in the mirror I can see the small marks that Harry left behind on my neck from last night. I quietly walk over to use the bathroom before heading to the kitchen to see what's left in my fridge for breakfast. Inside the kitchen is dark so I flip the switch on to find a sleepy Jamie leaning against the counter. My heart stops and I stifle a scream from leaving my lips.

"Jesus, Jamie," I say with my hand to my heart.

"Morning," he says looking a little frightened.

"How did you get here?" I ask, leaning against the counter trying to remember if I gave him a key or not. I don't think I did.

"You idiots left the front door unlocked," he explains, scratching the side of his neck.

"Did Alice drop you off?"

"Yeah a few hours ago," he smiles a shy smile.

"How was your night?" I flash him a knowing smile.

"Good, just like yours was, I can tell," he says gesturing with his finger to where Harry's and my clothes lay on the floor. My cheeks flush immediately.

"We...talked," I say timidly. "And I'm sorry he fought you, are you okay?" I examine his face. Not too bad.

"It's okay, I kind of got the picture from his right hook." He laughs.

"What do you mean?"

"That guy loves you, Mads. It's obvious," he shrugs.

"Yeah," I fight to suppress my smile.

"Anything happen with Alice that you'd like to say?" I tease.

"Nope," he turns around to pull out two cups from the cupboard.

"We just made out but talked mostly, but now I have this major headache and I realize I forgot to ask for her number," he says as he pours water into both cups.

"You're off your game," I laugh and he flicks me off.

"Anyways, what are we doing today?"

"I have work," I frown into my cup but then my face brightens. "You could come with me?" I say, hoping he'll agree.

"Fuck no, I'm not trying to spend the day with bridezillas and cranky Madelyn, hell to the no," he shoots the idea down like I knew he would.

"Alice will be there, you can get her number while you're there, you don't even have to spend the whole day unless you're compelled to do so out of the kindness in your heart," I say, looking him directly in the eyes with a smile on my face.

He closes his eyes and sighs. "Give me fifteen minutes," he goes into the guest room.

I finish my cup of water before getting the clothes off the floor, folding them for when Harry wakes up. I fix and organize anything that was misplaced from Harry and I's rush last night. Looking through my fridge I realize that I need to go grocery shopping soon. I'll just go after work. Two pairs of tattooed arms wrap around me as I tense but then quickly relax knowing that it's Harry. His face nuzzles in the crook of my neck as he speaks. "Good morning," his voice is deeper than usual. I turn around in his arms to face him. His hair is a curly mess and his eyes are filled with sleep but they brighten as he smiles down at me, catching how I examine his features.