Paragon

Chapter 20

Pounding on the door has me jumping from my slumber like a mad woman. "What? What?"

"Rise and shine! Get up you guys! It's eleven!"

Stellan turns over onto his side, obviously reluctant to get up but very much awake. I place my hand over my face, glad Vivienne is still on the other side of the door.

"We're already packed! Come on!"

Thankfully, she leaves and I hear her bound down the steps. Groaning, I fall back against the pillows, turning onto my side. Reaching out, I wrap my arm around his hot waist, pressing my lips to his back, curving into him.

"I'm regretting not leaving for a honeymoon," I mutter, resting my cheek against him comfortably. I feel him chuckle. "Is there some excuse we can spew to make them leave without us?"

"I highly doubt it," he answers, his voice thick with sleepiness. I groan as he turns over, breaking the extremely comfortable position I had settled into. I laugh, reaching up immediately to touch his lips.

"Oh my gosh, you're lips are still swollen."

He smirks heatedly. "Only because you're rough with me."

"I seem to remember it differently... you know, when you were slamming the bed into the wall?"

He breaks out laughing at that and falls back against the pillows, covering his face. "Jesus, I hope they didn't hear anything."

"Well, I guess we're gonna have to find out." I push back the covers and stand, grabbing my discarded pajamas off the ground, settling them onto the chair. My body cracks with resistance.

"You destroyed me," I utter, half in shock, half playfully. My body feels like it's been hit by something hard- really hard. "I can barely walk."

"That means I did it right."

Jesus. Blushing profusely, biting my lip at his watchful gaze, I walk around the bed towards the bathroom, shaking my head. I hear his laugh from the bedroom as I turn on the shower, feeling light and happy. Really happy.

I step into the hot water, closing my eyes as the steam massages life back into my muscles, making it easier to move. Turning towards the wall, I close my eyes, letting the water cascade over my face lightly.

The curtain sounds as it's pulled back and as his lips meet my neck and his hands run over my hips, my eyes open, once more filled with passionate heat.

...

"Jesus, you guys sure do take forever to get up!" Dari chuckles, sipping her coffee amusedly. Still dragging my arms into the sleeves of my coat, I blush furiously, looking anywhere but the group lounging in the kitchen.

"Yeah, sorry. It's my fault," I lie, because it's completely and entirely Stellan's fault. "I was trying to find something to wear in this weather."

"What? Isn't it freezing in New York?"

"Not really. We've had a warm spring, surprisingly. Barely any rain too."

"Yeah, it was in the seventies when I was there," Vivienne adds and David purses his lips approvingly.

"I can't remember the last time it was in the seventies here. August?"

"September," Dari states, reaching down to for the two canteens on the counter. "We made coffee... I don't know if you like-"

"Oh, I like." I take both gratefully, handing one over to Stellan who looks like he's about to fall asleep standing.

"So, what's in the plans today?"