Deana was on her lunch before Justin had left for the school, so she knew not to check on anything from him until her next break. She was nervous and excited for dinner and what would come after. It’s not even actual sex, she told herself, but DAMN if it’s close. To feel THAT good, without any guilt of doing it for the wrong reasons, just... wow. 

She continued her work day, her phone blowing up with messages between her lunch and last break. She figured it was Justin and would check them all later. 

On her break, she saw a text from Ms. S. She read that one first before the thread from Justin. 

Deana, he is an amazing man.  His actions today spoke volumes of how he feels about you, to do something so wonderful. The kids had a great time. 

She opened the stream of texts from Justin, scrolling quickly up so she wouldn’t spoil the surprise. She expected just a box of hot cocoa and maybe some cookies. Her eyes widened a little at each progressive picture he sent, tears welling up at all he had put together for them. For kids he’s never met, in a classroom that wasn’t even hers. 

She watched the videos thanking her, tears of joy spilling over as she saw him in a Santa suit, then videos of the kids with their treats. 

You went above and beyond what I expected. Thank you, the kids look like they had a great time.  She blinked away happy tears. I’ll see you tonight. Can’t wait. 

It was pretty fun, Ms. S. is great. 

She likes you... 

I know. She told me how happy you’ve been lately. I’m glad I’m a part of that. I like putting a smile on your face, among other things…

Tonight, babe. What are we doing for dinner?

I’ll bring stuff, you just wear something cute. 

Like what?

You could wear those ratty pajamas and I’d be ok. You’re still sexy. 

She blushed. I’ll see you soon. 

The rest of her work day flew by, and soon she headed home. She thought for a bit about what to wear. She opted for comfortable, wearing jeans and a soft, baggy t-shirt. Her hair in a loose, low side ponytail that gathered behind her ear, flowing down her collarbone. 

She sat on the couch and continued knitting. She was almost finished, wanting to be done in time for Christmas. The longer it got, the closer she was to finishing, and it kept her motivated to finish early. She had a long stretch of time before Justin showed up, and knew she could finish it over the weekend. 

Justin buzzed downstairs around 6.  She buzzed him in, leaving the door open as she knew he’d have his hands full. Sure enough, he had one bag in each hand. He also had a bouquet of stargazer lilies in his hand, giving them to Deana before giving her a kiss. 

“Babe, these are beautiful… Thank you, I’ll put them in water. So, what are we making?”

He pulled out chicken breasts, fettuccine, broccoli, mushrooms, and thick sliced bread. I figured you could show me how to make that Alfredo sauce and have chicken, roasted broccoli, and garlic toast. 

“Maybe I’ll get your strong arms to do the stirring, my arm hurts after a while,” she mused. 

Whatever. Guessing a cook like you has the essentials?

She nodded. “Everything I need is right here.”  She pulled him close and kissed his cheek. 

He started cooking the chicken while she prepped the broccoli for the oven. She sliced the mushrooms and got the water for the pasta going. As they moved around the kitchen, they stole quick kisses and gentle touches across each other’s bodies. 

She showed him the typical steps she took for her sauce, mixing everything together and slowly adding the milk. “I add a bit at a time until it’s just the right consistency. It’s all done by eye, so I don’t really measure most of it except the butter.”

He stirred as she added milk, letting it sit to thicken before stirring again. She gently touched his bicep as he stirred. The electricity between them was palpable, the kitchen almost buzzing with flirtatious energy. 

They took time to enjoy their dinner, knowing they had all night to be together. They glanced at each other, at one point holding hands as they sat across from each other. She being a leftie and Justin being right handed worked out well for their other hands to be available. 

They cleared their plates, starting dishes and putting leftovers away. When everything was finished, Deana pulled him close. “So, bedroom?” she asked. He nodded slowly, his eyes soft. 

“Let me change, I’ll be right back,” she said. She headed down the hall, Justin watching the sway of her hips. 

Remember to follow her lead, he reminded himself.  I know what she said, but I want to be open to if she changes her mind. I don’t want to mess things up now.

He heard her door open. He looked up, and his jaw almost hit the floor. She had on the red silk tank top, with matching shorts that got his imagination going. She stood in the doorway, signaling him to come closer. 

He slowly walked down the hall, not wanting to appear too eager. He kept his eyes locked on hers, taking her into his arms. She figured he was strong based on the muscles she felt, but was caught off guard at how he effortlessly picked her up. She’d never been literally swept off her feet before. At first it scared her, but she soon felt safe in his arms and kissed him. 

He laid her down on the bed, not breaking their kiss. His fingers were in her hair, hers running along his back under his shirt.  He kissed her cheek, the hollow of her neck. She lightly moaned, sending a shiver down his spine. The need behind it.  He knew she wanted this, there was no pretending for his sake. 

He looked at her. His hand at the bottom of her shirt. His eyes were soft, eyebrows furrowed inward and slightly downward. 

“Are you sure?” He mouthed silently. She nodded slowly. 

“I want to feel your hands on my body…” Her permission was all he needed. His hand slowly crept up under her shirt, over the curves of her waist, brushing the edge of her breast before taking it in his hand. 

She bit her lip at the sensation of his hand on her. “Oh, babe,” she moaned in a low, quiet voice. 

He smiled at her, kissing her deeply. He took his time exploring her body with his hands, his touch surprisingly soft and gentle, given the need they both felt. 

He turned her onto her side. His hand on the small of her back, edging towards the waistline of her shorts. 

She nodded, and he slid his hand to cup her ass. She pulled him close, feeling the bulge against her leg. 

“Are you ready?” she asked. He shook his head, pointing at her. 

“What are you thinking?” she replied. 

He reached for his phone on her nightstand.  I want to get you close, so we can cum together. I can get a little tunnel vision/hyper focused, so if you go without me, that’s perfectly fine. 

She blushed a little, then nodded. He kissed her, his hand on her breast before moving down her waist. He laid her on her back, his hand moving past the waistband of her shorts and panties. 

She groaned loudly at the first sensation of him against her. He bit her lip before nuzzling her neck. 

“Yes, fuck, yes…” she moaned. Her moans intensified as he slipped a finger close to inside her. “Please, babe, please,” she begged. She arched her body towards him, the sensation of his finger within and his palm against her. 

He growled a low growl as she gasped for breath. Her smaller waves had passed. “Oh god, I’m so close babe. If you want us to cum together, NOW is the time.”

He rushed to the dresser drawer, putting on a condom before sliding her legs open to rub against her. He was close just from her reactions to him, the feeling of himself against her like this overpowered her. 

She squeezed her eyes tight. “Uhh, uhhh, YES!” she screamed as she went over the edge. This sent Justin feeling like he was falling as he came, his lips searching for hers as they released. 

“Oh… my… god,” she said, gasping for breath. She kissed him one more time before he went to clean up. Her head was spinning, in the best way. She felt downright euphoric, not a drop off guilt about what had just happened. He came out of the bathroom and laid down next to her. 

“That was amazing… YOU are amazing. You’ve been so patient with me, and now we’re at a point where there is no hesitation. I was afraid to let myself get so vulnerable with anyone, and you came along and brought me back to life. I’m not afraid of what I feel, of what I want anymore. You helped me get to this point, no games, just patience.”

He could only smile at her, brushing stray hairs out of her face. 

“I can’t wait to hear your voice, hear you say everything instead of reading it on a screen. That would make everything perfect.”

Soon, baby, soon. I’ve admittedly been nervous about everything this far. But tonight, the signs you gave me, that you had let go of whatever was holding you back. You wanted every bit of what happened, there was no pressure from me, and it was sexy as FUCK. You knew what you wanted, and I followed your lead. 

“I still can’t believe this is real, that someone like YOU finds me attractive, desirable…”

I definitely do. I wouldn’t string you along like that. I’m not gonna lie, I’ve wanted you like this longer than I can remember at this point. But I knew if I pushed you, I would lose you. You were worth the wait, will ALWAYS be worth waiting for. As difficult as the tour will be without you, coming home to you will be the best day. 

“See, another thing I can’t wait to hear you say…”

There are so many things I want to tell you, but through a text isn’t how I want it to go. 

“Like what?”

You sure you want to know?

She nodded, her eyes soft yet wide with curiosity. 

Deana, I think I’m falling in love with you. 

"I think I’m falling in love with you, too. I like that you told me, but I definitely can’t wait to hear you say it out loud.”

Me either. In person, not over a phone call hundreds or thousands of miles away. To hold you, look into your eyes, and say it. 

“That… sounds amazing. So romantic and perfect. I want that moment, whenever I can get it.  That will be worth the wait.”

I can’t wait til I can tell you EVERYTHING I want to tell you. 

He thought to himself. Starting with who I really am…