Gypsy

Chapter 39

·Adam·

I wake the next morning still holding Zara in my arms. We're on the couch again, only this time I am curled up behind her, my arm around her waist. I nuzzle my face into her hair and smile. I never imagined how good it would feel to wake up like this, but now that I know I realize I want to repeat it every morning.

We'd had our own movie roulette last night after the craziness at the restaurant, though we'd watched very little of what chance had picked out for us. We'd done more kissing than anything else, and then we'd fallen asleep together for the second time.

She'd totally derailed all my plans last night, but I don't really mind. What she'd done to Kylie--though I know it's wrong to think it--was sexy as hell. And what she'd said to her? Damn. I still can't believe that happened.

She stirs in my arms and I loosen my hold around her, though that's the last thing I want to do. When she finally shifts enough to face me, I press a tender kiss to her lips. Her eyes flutter open to meet mine and she smiles at me.

"Morning, slugger," I say with a grin. "How's the hand?"

She laughs lightly and closes her eyes again. She flexes her fingers a few times then shrugs her shoulders.

"It's not broken. Can't say the same for your ex-wife's nose, though. Pretty sure that is."

I chuckle softly, then kiss the tip of her nose. "God, I love you."

She smiles and her eyes ease open to meet mine. "I love you, too."

My heart does a backflip and my stomach does a somersault--it's like I have a three ringed circus inside of me, and I love it. I kiss her softly, much more so than I had last night.

Last night I had nearly lost my control, at one point stopping myself from picking her up and carrying her to my bed. I want that with her, but not until she's ready. Last night she might have gone willingly enough, but only because her emotions were all over the place. I don't want it to be like that, if it ever happens. I want our first time to be special, extraordinary, just like her. I don't want to chance giving her any reason to regret it later.

When I finally pull away, she leans her head against my chest and sighs softly.

"I've never been in love before," she admits to me.

Christ, I think to myself as I reach up to stroke her hair. I can't control my smile or the slight headiness her words cause me. "How am I the lucky one to receive that honor?"

"I honestly don't know."

She laughs softly and I join her. When we finally fall silent, I remember the gift in my pocket, the one I'd planned on giving her last night before all my plans had once more blown up in my face.

"I have something for you," I say as I struggle to lift myself up from the sofa.

She rises too, then turns her warm gaze on me. I shove my hand into my pocket then fumble with the small box that's waited there all night. I pull it out then promptly drop it on the floor. She giggles at my clumsiness. I grin, even though my face is beginning to heat up. I bend over and scoop it up, then turn to look back at her.

"Maybe I can get a do-over on that?"

"Just this once."

I grin and nod my head. "I have something for you." I hold out the box and she takes it from my hands.

She looks at me a long moment before turning her attention to it and lifting up its lid. Her amused smile falters as she reaches out to touch the moon-shaped charm hanging from the delicate gold chain.