Something changed last night while we were talking, and that lead us to where we are now.
I want nothing more than to move her to her back, and slip into her warmth, but she looks so peaceful and I’m afraid that she will wake up then tell me that the night before was a mistake.
She makes a humming sound and then turns her body into me. She nuzzles her face against my chest.
That’s a good sign, right?
I wrap my arms around her tighter and move over to my side to face her.
“Good morning,” I say with a smile before kissing the top of her head.
“Hmmm,” she hums, the sound vibrating against my skin.
I run my hands across her bare back and smile while I relish in the feeling. It’s been awhile since I’ve woken up next to a woman in bed, it’s been even longer since I haven’t felt the need to leave once the deed is done.
No, in fact, I’m wanting more.
“I don’t want to get out of bed,” she groans.
“Technically, we don’t have to, we can stay in bed all day long.” I tell her happily.
“Speak for yourself, I’ve got a shift at the hospital.” She tells me deflating the bubble that I was so prepared to settle into.
“How long is your shift?” I ask.
“It’s a twelve hour one, one of the longer shifts. I’ve got them for a few days in a row.”
“So, that would explain why some days I don’t see you. I thought it was because you were ignoring me.” I tell her.
“Why would I be ignoring you?” She pulls back, alert and surprised.
“Well, I’ve never lived with another woman aside from my mother. When she was annoyed or pissed at my father, and sometimes it was more often or not, she would kind of avoid his side of the house.”
“I see. Well, I can understand that avoidance. But no, I have three twelve hours shifts a week, and then one standard eight-hour shift.” She explains.
“And that’s every week? Is it the same days each time?” I ask, kicking myself in the ass for not knowing these types of things from the onset of our agreement—of our relationship.
“Most of the time, yes. That way I can have a consistent schedule. But I’m still relatively new at General.”
“Is that how nursing schedules are usually?” I ask.
“Yes. For some it’s a lot shittier hours. I’m just thankful that I don’t have the overnight shift.”
“That sounds horrible,” I say staring at the ceiling.
She moves her hand across my stomach and up to draw circles around my nipple. I look down and grin at the closeness that I feel to her right now.
“What time do you have to go in?” I ask her.
She leans up and looks over my chest to the alarm clock at the side of the bed.
“Ugh, I have to be there in about an hour,” she throws herself back on the bed and throws a hand over her eyes, her hand connecting with the side of my face.
She jolts up and leans down with her hands surrounding my face.
“Oh shit, are you okay? I’m so sorry about that. Ugh, I’m a total klutz.” Her long hair is hanging around her beautiful morning fresh face. Worry evident in her features as she examines my face.
“Nurse Constance, I think I need some extra attention,” I say playfully holding my cheek.
“Okay, where?” She asks, not hearing my tone turn playful.
“All over. I feel this strange sensation all across my body. Starting at my lips and moving all the way down,” I wiggle my eyebrows as I wrap one hand around her.
She throws her head back and laughs.
“You’re insane. As nice as last night was and no matter how badly I want to stay in bed, I have to get ready for work.”
“But you just said that you had an hour.”
“Clean, coffee, and commute. The three C’s.”
“How about I join you on the cleaning part?” I tease.
“If you did that, it would leave me even more dirty than when I go in.”
“I think you doubt my efficiency.”
“I don’t, I just need to go to work.”
I do not want her to slip out of this bed without me. I do not want the memories of last night to fade and to be forgotten and I certainly do not want her to begin to second guess something between us.
She stands and looks back at me, reaches and runs her fingertips through my hair.
“What are you up to today?” she asks.
“I should probably go into the office. I have been working remotely, but it’s good to show my mug every now and then. Make the staff realize that I’m still alive and I’m not just fucking around like my father thinks I am.”
“Well, you do know that you’re newly married, so I’m pretty sure that the staff know.” She smirks as she walks away and out the bedroom to her room.
“I’ll see you in the shower in a few minutes.”
“Stay away from the shower!” She turns and points.
I move my comforter off of me, push out of bed, and sprint towards the shower. Except, I run to mine out of habit as she runs to the hallway bathroom.
Damnit!
Chapter Twenty-Three
Connie
“Nurse Richards, there’s a call for you on line one,” a small voice says from beside me.
I’m charting my patient’s codes into the system and hold up my hand. “One moment,” I say quickly to not forget the regimen that I would like administered. One flaw in my work can be detrimental to someone’s health.
I type up the last of my thoughts and turn to the direction of the voice.
“Sorry about that, what’s going on?” I offer her a smile.
“There’s a call for you, line one.” She points to the phone in front of me, with the blinking light.
I turn to the phone and hesitantly pick up the line. I don’t get many calls while at work, but when I do, there’s generally a reason for the interruption.
“Hello? Nurse Richards speaking.” I scrunch my nose as I say my new married name, still not used to saying it.
“Ah Constance, darling. I was hoping that I was able to track you down.”
“May I ask who I’m speaking with?”
“Oh dear, my manners. I’m sorry, this is Madeline, Devin’s mother. I do hope that I’m not catching you at a bad time?”
“Oh, I’m sorry, Mrs. Richards. Your voice sounds so different on the phone. No bother, how are you? Is everything okay? Is Devin alright?” I ask, suddenly thinking the worst has happened to Devin.
“Oh, Dev’s good. I think, I haven’t spoken with him today. I was calling to see if you would be available to go to lunch?” she asks.
My heart rate slows, knowing that there is no issue. Then it picks up again, when I think about having a meal, alone with her. Shit. What if I say something that I shouldn’t? What if I make a complete fool of myself? What if?
“Hello?” Her voice rings in my ears.
“I’m sorry. I had someone put a file in front of me. Yes, lunch would be great. When would you like to get together?” I ask pulling out my cell phone and opening my calendar.
“How would today at one work?”