Beyond Home

Camila

Waking up in her arms is something I could get used to. My back is to her chest, and I can feel her hot breath against my neck. It's comforting, and I never want to leave. I want to stay in this bed, with her strong arms wrapped around me. I want to live in this fantasy world we've created. Last night, she made a lot of declarations, ones she swears are true, but I'm not so naïve to know that things change in the light of day. I know that words are exchanged in the heat of the moment, and when that moment fizzles, when the intensity and the high are gone, regret takes its place. Me, I have no regrets. I meant every word, every touch, but Lauren... well, she might not have. That's why I'm lying here in her arms, still, afraid to move an inch, not wanting this fantasy to be over.

Her lips press against my bare shoulder. "Morning, beautiful." Her husky voice washes over me. "How did you sleep?"

"Did we sleep?" I ask, teasing her. I lost count of the number of times we reached for each other in the night.

"We did. We did more than that," she says, cupping my naked breast. "We should make this a nightly thing," she suggests.

"You have practice in an hour . You'll regret those words I'm sure by the time you're done."

"Never," she says, pulling my body closer to hers. "I could never regret anything when it comes to you."

"Morning changes things." I put it out there the worry she'll change her mind.

"You're right . It does," she agrees. I stiffen in her arms. I thought I was prepared for this, but I was wrong. "You're even more beautiful today than you were yesterday," she says, once again pressing her lips to my bare shoulder.

I release an audible breath and relax into her hold.

"I can't explain it, Camz, but fuck, I don't even want to. I don't care that this is fast. I don't care if someone thinks it's too soon. It feels right. You feel right. That's all that matters to me. You and Em are... everything. That's the best way I can describe it. I want you, both of you. I meant every word I said last night. No man..." She runs her hand over my belly, until she reaches my center. ".... will ever be here." She traces her fingers through my folds. "You're mine now."

"Does that work both ways?"

"Hell yes, it does. I don't want anyone but you. You're all I see, all I think about."

"I have baggage," I remind her. I hate referring to my daughter as baggage, but my life is not my own.

"You have a beautiful little girl who has stolen my heart."

Turning over in her arms, I run my hand over her that stubble that covers her cheeks. "Are you real?" I ask her.

She chuckles. "Yeah, babe, I'm real."

"I just... the things you say, it's—"

"From my heart."

Tears prick my eyes as I remember her conversation with Emily about always speaking from your heart. "Yeah?"

She leans in and kisses me softly. "Always, Camila."

"You need to get ready for practice, and I have to get ready for work."

"I don't want to move."

"You have to." I poke her in the side, causing her to squirm.

"You have plans tonight?"

"Nope, just picking up Em from Mom's after my shift."

"Will you come back here? I can make us dinner. Em can swim."

"We can do that," I say, kissing her chin.

"Pack a bag for both of you."

"I don't think that's such a good idea."

She pulls away so she can see me. "What? Why not?"

"I don't want Emily to get the wrong idea. She's already attached to you. I don't need her to see us sleeping in the same bed."

"She's already seen it," she counters.

"That was a nap in the middle of the day. Not at night."

"I want you here, both of you."

"We'll come for a visit, but we're going back to our place."

"For now," she concedes. "You'll see this isn't a game to me. I get that it's more than just you and me that is going to be affected by our actions, by the decisions that we make. I lived that. I've been on your side of the fence. I'm not going into this lightly."

"I know that." Reaching up, I run my fingers through her hair. "I know, but I just need some time. Okay. I'm yours," I rush to tell her. " I meant what I said last night, but I need some time to get used to the idea. To warm Emily up to the idea."

"She loves me." She grins, looking cocksure and adorable.

"I know she does. I just don't want her heart to be broken if this doesn't work out."

"Oh, it's going to work out." She lowers her mouth to mine, tracing my lips with her tongue. "It's going to more than work out." She kisses me, deep and slow. Her lips yet firm against my own. "I'll give you some time to catch up to where I am. I want you." She kisses my nose. "I want Emily." She kisses my forehead. "I want us." She kisses my lips. Just a soft peck, but the emotion behind it, the words before it makes it seem so much more.

"Shower," I mumble against her lips. "I won't be the reason you're not in hot water for being late to practice."

"You're worth it," she says, kissing down my column of my neck.

"I can't be late for work."

"Fine," she grumbles good-naturedly. She climbs out of the bed and before I realize what's going on, she has me thrown over her shoulder and stalking towards the bathroom.

"Wh-what are you doing?" I ask, laughing.

"We're taking a shower."

"We both know we'll be late if we take a shower together."

"I promise to be on my best behavior." She sets me on the counter. "I just want you with me." She shrugs casually, as if her words don't take my breath away.

I watch her as she starts the shower, tests the temperature of the water, then turns and holds her hands out for me. I take it, hopping off the counter and stepping in behind her. Her shower is huge, so much so it makes me think of that Nickleback song where they talk about a bathroom you can play basketball in, and laugh.

"What's so funny?"

"Nothing, this is huge."

She looks down at her cock, which is saluting me and grins. "I know."

I roll my eyes but can't keep the smile off my face. I know all too well how "huge" she is. I can still feel her. "I meant the shower," I say, reaching for her shampoo.

"I want to do that." She takes a step toward me.

"Stop!" I hold out my hand to stop her movement. "You can't help me. We'll never get out of here, and I can't be late for work."

She kits her lip out and bats those big green eyed at me. "Let me," she whispers.

"Best behavior, missy. I am not going to be late for work."

She grumbles something under her breath, but steps back under the spray, on her side of the shower. I think this is the first time I've ever showered wearing what feels like a permanent grin. Lauren makes life fun. She makes me want to wake up like this, make this showering together our daily routine. I can't help but send up a silent prayer that one day it will be.