Free Exposed (Free Falling) by Raven St. Pierre Page B

it down the toilet.
    “Want me to start the water for you?”  He asked, knowing that showering immediately after was also part of the rigmarole. 
    “Yeah, thanks, ” I called out.
    Before he returned, I had on the white robe that the hotel provided and was slipping on a shower cap to keep my hair from getting wet and looking like hell for the wedding.  When he passed by, Jason kissed my cheek and told me how good it was.
    Lies.   But whatever. 
    I closed the door to the bathroom and stepped inside the shower, letting the hot water roll down my back for a while before washing.   Being intimate brought my issues to the forefront of my mind every time.  Jason had no way of knowing this – because I’d never admit it – but that was precisely why I didn’t want him living with me.  I could imagine it already.  Every night I’d have anxiety about us sharing a bed.  With him having his own quarters to retreat to at night, I had a little bit more control.
    I hated that I was so broken.  More than that, I hated that Jason had to pay for it.  Sometimes, I wondered why he even stayed.  And then, as quickly as I’d ask the question, the answer wou ld come to me – because he loved me.
    When I stepped back into the room, Jason was asleep and snoring heavily like I figured he’d be.  I pulled on a pair of pajama shorts and an old t-shirt before slipping beneath the sheets.  I eased in close to his naked body.  If I could just have this, the body heat and Jason’s company without the sex, I’d move in with him in a heartbeat.

    C hapte r F ive
    S am
    When morning came, Jason woke me with a kiss to the forehead.
    “I already went down and got us some food.  It was like a zoo down there,” he added, referring to the crowd that must’ve gathered around the continental breakfast.
    With a smile, I accepted the plain bagel and two sausage links he’d managed to snag for me.  “Thank you.”
    He sat on the edge of the bed beside me and sipped from the cup of coffee in his hand.  I watched him and found myself thinking back to last night – how patient he’s been with me, how he doesn’t let my issues and hang-ups come between us.
    “You’re a good man, Jason Fenelus, you know that?”
    He turned his head to look at me with that same warmth in those beautiful eyes of his that stole my heart from day one.  He leaned in to kiss me, tasting like cream and sugar.
    “Thanks, babe.”
    I nodded and held the side of his face, catching his lips once more before letting him back awa y.  Jason was everything I could ask for – sexy, accomplished, loyal, giving, funny, kind, patient, and attentive.  Sometimes I didn’t feel like a girl like me – a girl as flawed as me – deserved him.  Yet and still, he stuck around through all of my ups and downs.  When he caught me staring, he gave a thoughtful smile.
    “ What you thinking?” He asked, sipping from his cup again.
    I shr ugged and pulled the cover up my thighs to my hips.  “About how much I love you and how much it means that you came with me this weekend.”
    He shrugged like it was no big deal.  “You’re my baby.  Where else would I be?”
    I blushed and pulled a small piece off my bagel to eat. 
    “I know you have a lot to do to get ready for the wedding, so I was thinking I’d get out of your hair for a while.  Maybe take in a movie or hit the mall or something.  What you think?”
    I nodded and then looked at the time – 9:02.  I needed to be to the church by 3:00, which meant I should head out around 2:30.  With another shower, hair, and makeup in my future, I could easily be at it from 11:00 until time to leave.
    “That’s cool.  I have so much to do, I probably won’t even notice you’re gone,” I replied with a smile.
    “Ha-ha-ha…real cute.   You know you’re gonna miss all this.”  He leaned in and kissed me again.  When he pitched his cup in the trash, he took his car keys and got ready to take off.  “Need