Page 120 of Made Better Together

My heart warms at the sight, like a kettle on simmer. “I’ll never get this visual out of my mind. Fucking you rosy.”

“Rosy. You keep calling me that?”

Can’t deny that. “Well, I mean it as an adjective. Not a nickname. But…” I actually like the thought. “Maybe it should become your nickname.”

“Just for us, though?”

“Oh yeah. Just for us.” I give her a peck. “We’re secret, anyway, remember?”

She giggles. “Yes, yes, a secret nickname is fitting too.”

“Rosy. It’s perfect.”

She leans against me, her body lined up along mine. After two orgasms, we’re both spent. But I don’t want to leave the big question she posed in the car without a clear response.

“I think, my gorgeous future Doctor Rosy, you diagnosed me correctly after reading those books.”

“I was correct about my own diagnosis too.”

“Yes, you were.” I give her a firm peck to cement how grateful I am we get to explore this together. “Thank God for your big brain and appetite for research.”

She grins. “Plan on more.”

34

EDEN

The next morning, I drag myself out of Connor’s bed early, big brain and all.

As we’d fallen asleep, I’d reminded him I needed to leave right when the sun came up to work on that paper. Plus, I wasn’t sure how I would feel this morning, after all of that honesty. The vulnerability. So I wanted to keep my easy out, even though the date had been incredible.

But…my morning mood is amazing. I’m relaxed and happy. The blond man sleeping soundly in the bed should be intimidating. I expected to feel awkward when I woke up. Instead, I want to get one last hug.

So, once I’ve cleaned up in his bathroom, I fulfill the promise he elicited to wake him up before I left.

“I’m taking off, Connor.” My voice low, I brush my hand across his bare shoulder.

He snaps awake, startled—alarm on his face. Oh crap.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean⁠—”

His expression calms as he takes me in. “You’re good. I just need a minute to settle in the mornings sometimes. Come here?” He pats next to him on the bed.

I immediately join him back in the bed, and he wraps his arm around my waist. As I hoped. It felt wrong not to touch him again before I left.

He adds to the connection by kissing the top of my head. “Last night was…fucking everything.”

“For me too.”

I feel him settle more into the bed. “So you’re okay? With everything we did?”

I shoot him a smile. “I am. I…it felt so right to me.”

His eyes are gleaming. “Good. Same here. I can’t wait to explore more. How’s your week?”

“Similar to how it’s been. The fall is nonstop, as I’m sure it was for you at Princeton. Classes, homework, practice, game.”

“Sounds familiar, yeah.” He takes his free hand and starts playing with my hair.