She wrapped her arms around him, feeling his hot breath on her sweaty skin as she pulled him in close and wrapped her legs around him.
“I’m all yours,” she said.
“Morning,” Chris said with a sleepy grin.
“Good morning.” Abby turned on her side to face him, smiling back.
“So,” he said.
“So.”
“I had an amazing time last night, Abby. And it wasn’t just the sex.”
“It wasn’t just the sex for me, either. Listen…I know you could meet someone more ideal for you at any time, and I just want you to know, this meant a lot. No matter what happens, last night showed me what can be.”
“I don’t want anyone else, I want you,” he said. “I wish this could be the start of something for us. If you would only leave that job, we could be like this all the time.”
“Chris,” she said. “You’re breaking our only rule for this weekend. No talking about the real world. You know I can’t leave my job, so let me keep enjoying the floaty, cloud-nine way I’m feeling right now.”
“Okay. I actually have something that I hope will make you even happier.”
“Impossible. I couldn’t be happier. Unless that something is under the covers…” she said, reaching her hand beneath the sheet and sliding it down his stomach.
“Oh,” he said, gasping at the feel of her hand. “God, now I wish that was it. Hold that thought.”
He rolled over and reached under the bedside table, pulling out a small black box.
“Happy birthday,” he said, handing it to her.
“Chris. You didn’t have to get me anything, really.”
“Don’t do that. You know I wanted to. Open it.”
A grin spread across her face as she pulled the lid off the box. Something sparkled inside, and she couldn’t help gaping at it. It was a ring, with rows of glimmering black and white diamonds.
“This is beautiful!” she said. “A right-hand ring? Chris! This is so amazing, but it’s way too much.”
“Do you like it?” He looked at her expectantly, and she couldn’t stand the thought of refusing his gift.
“I love it.”
“Try it on. I’ve never bought jewelry, so Charlotte helped me pick it out.”
“When?”
“When we went to the grocery store yesterday, we were really going to a jewelry store.”
“I don’t even know what to say, Chris. Thank you. It’s more beautiful than anything I’ve ever had.”
“I wanted to get you something that you could have with you all the time. Something that would remind you of us, and this weekend.”
“It fits!”
“Charlotte made a good guess on your size, then.”
Abby reached for his face, pulling him close for a long kiss. As he ran a hand up her back, her shiver wasn’t one of nervousness, but anticipation. She wanted him, and she no longer wondered if he wanted her back or worried that she would disappoint him. They would fit together, as they had the night before.
“I could spend this whole day in bed with you,” he whispered into her neck.
“I’d love that. Your friends might think it’s a little weird, though.”
“Who cares?” He kissed her neck softly, slowly, and she sighed with contentment. He was right. If staying in bed all day made them both this happy, who cared what anyone else thought?
As the wheels of the plane touched the runway, Abby squeezed Chris’ hand. Their time alone had been more than she’d ever hoped for, and she was sad about it ending. He stroked his thumb across her wrist, and she wondered if he was thinking the same thing.
They said goodbye to Reed and Charlotte, and retrieved Chris’ duffel bag from the baggage claim.
“I’ll put this in your car, I can get my stuff out later,” he said.
They were both quiet as they rode a shuttle to the parking lot where Abby had left her car. When she stepped out, the bitter Chicago wind slapped her cheeks harshly. She made her way to her car quickly, and Chris threw her bag in the trunk and jumped into the passenger seat.
“Where’s your car?” she asked, rubbing her hands together.
“I’m in that lot over there.”
“I’ll be so glad to see the girls. We’ve never been apart this long.”
“Are you glad you came?”
“I’m so glad I did. I had such an amazing time, Chris. I’ll miss seeing so much of you.”
“Me, too. I’ve been thinking about something.” He sighed, looking nervous as he stared out the window. “You know how I feel about the stripping. I want you all to myself, and I worry about you. But I respect that it’s your decision, not mine. When you’re in a relationship with someone, you have to take all of them. I don’t want to lose what we found in Malibu. I want us to be together.”