Warmth (Cheer Legacy Trilogy #1)

26.

I awaken to a warmth so beautiful I daren't believe it. These few months have been freezing in my heart, like the North Pole had taken up permanent residence. Jesse's breath blows some of my hair into my face and I bite my lip, trying hard not to cry. I missed him so much. I fail, and a little sob escapes me. I press my hand to my mouth hard, trying to stifle the sobs.

Jesse's arms tighten around me. "What's wrong, baby?" His voice is thick with sleep and worry. He turns me around and scrutinizes my face. I let him in, let him see everything. His eyes tighten at the longing and pain in me and he holds me tightly to his chest. "Shh, shh. It's okay now. I'm here. Summer is next week. We'll be together soon, for a long time. Then you'll graduate and join me, and then we'll be together forever."

I choke out a laugh and nod. The warmth radiating off of him...it's my heaven. "I love you," I say at his chest. "I miss you. I think about you every day."

Jesse shudders. "Same here. But Pippy," he pushes me back gently so that he can look at me seriously. "A lot of people have been texting me about you. How you look tired all the time, how you're always pushing yourself. Don't do that anymore, okay?"

I shake my head and shrug. I don't even know what I'm doing, but I nod as well. He looks perplexed at my mixed message, and I'm not clear about it either. "I didn't mean to," I explain. "I just...doing things kept my mind off of you and...my dad," I cringe. "Once I started I couldn't seem to stop. And I get it, I do. I won't go crazy like that anymore."

Jesse holds my chin up so that he can bore into my eyes. Satisfied with what he sees, he leans forward and presses his lips to mine. "I'm proud of all that you've accomplished, though. You're really amazing. If you can take it easy, I can be proud and not worry at the same time."

I bite my lip again, and Jesse reaches up to tug it free. He ducks his head to nibble on my bottom lip. "I'm sorry I made you worry. I'm proud of your accomplishments too."

Jesse grins against my mouth. "Yeah? I make you proud, my goddess?"

I smirk, winding my arms around his neck. "Yes, my heart. You make me proud." I see the clock on the bedside table. Whoa, it's nearly twelve. "Are you hungry?"

Jesse sits up, rolls the blankets off of us and spreads my legs. I squeak in surprise as he kisses down my stomach. "I'm starving," he smirks and buries his face in me. 

Oh. 

God!

His freaking tongue!

I squirm on the bed, my fingers digging into the sheets, my toes curling. He's making sounds like he's enjoying a feast as my body starts shaking uncontrollably. "Jesse, yes!" I gasp. I grip his hair and hold his head to me as I'm flung powerfully off the edge.

Two hours later, we're having brunch downstairs. Mac and cheese for Jesse, and a fruit salad for me. 

"I have to say," Jesse smirks at me. "That was the best. Breakfast. Ever."

I feign innocence. "What breakfast? This is our breakfast."

Jesse laughs, thrilled to spell it out. "I meant you. Eating you out first thing in the morning? Yum."

I blush furiously. "Jesse!"

He shrugs, looking adorably innocent. We finish our food in companionable silence and we stack the plates in the sink. Oma's cleaning some part of the house, she'll wash these later. We cuddle on my couch in front of the TV but we don't turn it on. 

"Let's do it during summer break," I say, and Jesse knows immediately what I mean. He knows I'm referring to meeting my dad. 

"Are you sure?" He rubs comforting circles on my hip. "You wanna wait till you graduate?"