Chapter Ten

                                    

                                          
I woke up blissfully content in Brad's arms for the second day in a row. I had never been happier in my entire life than when I was curled up against him. 
My hand was hurting much less now, more of a dull ache than acute pain, so I didn't feel a pressing need to move. I listened to his breathing, felt his heart beating, and smelled what had already become his familiar scent.  I was captivated by every aspect of who he was. I admired him, respected him, and without meaning to- I loved him. 
Which was absolutely and entirely banana balls, but there is was. The L word, and not like I loved my brother or like I loved Steve. Nope. This was the head-over-heels, unstoppable, Romeo-and-Juliet-type of love. I honestly had thought that wasn't a real thing, or that it couldn't happen to me because I was too cynical and damaged, but here I was- completely blindsided in a matter of days. 
I laid there quietly for a long while, drinking in happiness and soaking up every thankful second in my own personal paradise. 
I did have to go to the bathroom. I shifted slightly and he tightened his arms around me, pulling me closer in his sleep. Oh, how adorable he was!  
He was always so calm, too. Even when he was mad.  I could feel his calm and it calmed me.  I had never experienced anything like that before, either. 
All of this was new, unexpected, wonderful, and scary. 
I sneezed. 
The hell?!? 
Of course that would happen to me...of all the silly, annoying things to happen. 
He woke up. 
"Morning, beautiful", he whispered, in his calm deep voice, kissing my forehead and causing my belly to flutter. 
"I'm sorry. That was ridiculous", I apologized. "I was laying here having a perfect moment and then I sneezed". 
"Hmmm. If it was perfect, you should have woken me up to enjoy it, too. Or was it only perfect because I was asleep?"
"Oh". I hadn't thought of it that way. "I don't know. Good point. I was really content and happy, and thankful to be laying here with you...".  I trailed off, not ready to share all of my thoughts. 
He squeezed me a little. "Same here. I enjoy this so much I don't even want to sleep because I want to continue enjoying it". 
I laughed gently. 
"Do we have anything to do today?", he asked. 
"I have to check in at work and try to figure out when I can start working again, at least in some fashion.  I need to unpack and somehow shower". I sighed. 
"I can shower you", he joked, poking me in the side so I knew he was teasing. But that did make me think about something. We were definitely interested in each other, and before we got to the point of no return, we should probably have the sex conversation. It was an uncomfortable topic, but my opinion was that if we couldn't discuss it, we shouldn't do it. I hadn't always been that responsible, but it was something I was committed to now. Also, I had made it through the 'I'm reproductively challenged' talk unscathed, so this one should be a breeze. 
Now wasn't the time. 
"Maybe we can find a way to schedule some more time for this, too?", Brad asked, sounding hopeful. 
"Definitely", I promised, tipping my face up and nudging his cheek with my nose. He took the cue and kissed me gently on the mouth. 
"Okay, I'm getting up", I said. 
"Okay", he smiled back, kissing me another couple times before releasing me. 
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