Chapter 32

Nolan

"You don't haveto get up," Dawson whispered in my ear, tugging me closer to his chest.

I guess I didn't mind being the little spoon once in a while...

I groaned as I grabbed his hand, threading my fingers through his as I tried to hold on to sleep.

"Yes, I do. I have a bunch of stuff to catch up on at work," I whined.

Dawson kissed me below my ear, before nibbling on the bottom of my earlobe like a starving man. The feel of his tongue and teeth on the sensitive skin there gave me goosebumps and ignited my fire, but I knew neither of us had time to waste.

It had been a week since we had unofficially-officially sealed the deal. One week since Dawson and I had been honest about our feelings. One week since I'd been staying with Dawson while my apartment was being renovated, and one week since I'd submitted paperwork along with the Bradish re-eval to my higher ups in an escalated claim.

While Karla had given me the option to take a few days regarding my fire situation, I hadn't taken her up on the offer. I knew I'd need to get to work sooner or later.

Regrettably, I broke Dawson's hold, and we both did the adult thing and got our asses moving. I made breakfast while Dawson showered, then took my turn when he was out. I'd just finished buttoning up my last button when Dawson stopped me.

"What?" I asked, noting the look of mischief in his eyes.

"Your glasses are crooked," he said, flashing me a smirk.

"What?" I asked as he reached out to adjust them, the motion putting his fingers above my ear, giving him access to slide them into my hair and pull me close.

I wasn't sure I'd ever get used to being loved by Dawson.

I'd been used to being tormented and pissed off by Dawson, but being loved by him far outweighed everything else.

It was a feeling I hoped I'd never lose.

"Personally, I like it. But, we can't have you looking like you just rolled in the hay with Mr. March when you walk into work,"

"Mhmmm. But you can walk into work with a hickey on your neck and no one says a word?"

Dawson blushed as he craned his neck, the faint markings still visible after a few days.

"Oh, they'll say words. And I'll tell them all the sordid details if they do ask," he said, grinning ear to ear.

I twisted my lips. "That sounds like very bad behavior," I teased him.

"The worst. Definitely worthy of punishment, if you ask me."

I shook my head in defeat. There was no use fighting Dawson when he'd made his mind up about something, and that something was me.

Or more accurately, my form of discipline.

But I wasn't complaining. I was more than happy to explore this new side of me, and Dawson seemed to enjoy reaping the benefits.

And he also had no problem putting me in my place either.

"I'll take that into consideration," I said, and I pressed my lips to his.

"You still good for M's Place later?" he asked as he finished my last button.

"Yeah, good as I'm going to be, I guess," I answered honestly.

It felt stupid to hide the fact we were together anymore, and neither of us wanted to feed the gossip mill, so we'd decided to be upfront and honest with everyone that mattered. Our jobs, and our friends.

I'd officially be meeting Dawson's friends tonight, as his boyfriend, which still baffled my mind.

Hearing him call me that made me blush, made my heart race, and my lips turn up in a smile.

Because the way he said it was like I was the fucking sun.

My boyfriend.

The feeling was more than mutual.