Chapter 22

Tripp

The bright morning sun filters through the curtains, meeting my eyes as soon as I crack them open. For a moment, I’m disoriented, caught between the remnants of sleep and the vivid memories of last night. But then it hits me—this wasn’t just a dream. I’m really here, waking up in Millie’s bed, with her head resting on my chest, her soft breaths warming my skin.

The realization washes over me like a wave of pure contentment. Last night wasn’t just amazing—it was beyond anything I’ve ever experienced. Every moment with her felt surreal, like stepping into a dream where everything was perfect. The way she looked at me, the way she touched me, the way our bodies moved in sync—it was as if we were meant to find each other in the darkness.

As I lie there, feeling the steady rise and fall of her breath against me, I’m filled with a sense of peace I didn’t know was possible. Last night wasn’t just about passion; it was about connection, something deeper than I’ve ever felt before. I can still feel the echo of our whispered words, the way her hands explored every inch of me, and the way our hearts seemed to beat in unison.

This moment, waking up beside her, feels like the start of something real—something I never want to let go of.

I stare down at her, completely lost in her beauty. Even in sleep, she’s stunning, with her blonde hair splayed across my chest like a halo, her features softened in peaceful slumber. The gentle rise and fall of her chest is hypnotic, and I find myself captivated by the way the morning light dances across her skin, highlighting every delicate feature.

I don’t want to move, afraid that any shift might disrupt this perfect moment. I want to freeze time, to stay here just a little while longer, soaking in the peacefulness that’s so rare and precious. The world outside these walls can wait—right now, all I want is to hold onto this feeling, to memorize the way she looks, the way she feels in my arms. The thought of leaving, of having to face reality, feels almost unbearable. So I stay still, hoping to savor every last second before I need to go, wanting to carry this memory with me for as long as I can.

Millie stirs and I press a soft kiss to the top of her head. Soft moans escape her as she begins to stir to life. It’s beautiful, almost as beautiful as her.

Her eyes blink open and she lifts them, staring up at me. My heart slams against my chest as emotions I’ve never felt before surface. This woman has no idea the hold she has on me, even if I do try my damndest to express it in the words I write in my novel. Every word I’ve written has been about her and I admitted that to her last night.

“It wasn’t a dream,” she says, sleep still in her soft voice.

I lean forward and press my lips to hers and smile against her lips. “No, it definitely wasn’t a dream,” I say, rolling us so I’m on top.

She pushes her fingers into my hair as she smiles up at me, stealing my breath. “I think I could get used to waking up next to you.”

I run my hands down her still naked body and reach between her legs. Her back arches as her eyes fall closed.

“Already dripping wet, fuck, little bunny, that’s sexy as hell,” I groan, rubbing my fingers through her wetness. “If you can get used to waking up next to me, you should get used to wake up sex too.” My thumb rubs at her clit as I position my cock at her entrance. I search her eyes, seeking permission.

“Yes, Tripp, please,” she moans.

“Should I get a condom?”

“No, I’m still on the pill,” she says, giggling.

I grin and without hesitation slam into her. “Fuck,” I growl.

“Oh God!” she shouts.

I give her a minute to adjust to my size, but not as long as last night before I start moving. This time I don’t start slow, I can’t. The need I have rushing through my veins makes it impossible.

I drive into her hard and fast, watching her perfect tits bounce with the force.

“Fuck, Millie, I’ll never get my fill. You have no idea what you’re doing to me.”

Her nails dig into my back as we both move, racing toward the release we are seeking. “Tripp, oh God, you do things to me I never imagined.”

I lean forward and suck on her hard nipple while I continue to slam into her. Her moans and cries of pleasure echo around us in the silence of the morning. It’s such a turn on I’m having trouble keeping myself from exploding.

“You feel so good. Your tight pussy feels incredible wrapped around me,” I groan, driving into her.

“I’m so close, how is that possible?” she moans, arching her back.

“Because we’re good together, little bunny. You’re free with me and allow yourself to feel everything. Don’t fight it, give me your release,” I hiss, trying to keep my own at bay.

I reach down and rub her sensitive bundle, pushing at the same time and I feel her tighten around me. She’s right there and damn it’s a powerful feeling knowing I’m capable of getting her there this quickly.

She tosses her head back and digs her nails into my shoulders as I bite down on her hard nipple. “Tripp!”

Her orgasm comes on hard and fast, squeezing me so tight that mine chases hers. “Oh fuck, Millie,” I growl.

I collapse on the bed, pulling her against me as we both breathe heavily. I press a soft kiss to her lips and sigh. “That was, holy fuck…” I’m lost for words.

She rests her hand against my cheek, searching my eyes. “It was insanely perfect. Just like you.”

I smile, wrapping my arms around her, pulling her close. “Best morning I’ve ever had.”

“Me too,” she replies, her voice soft as she pulls back to look at me. There’s a hint of reluctance in her eyes. “I wish you didn’t need to go to work today.”

Her lower lip juts out in a playful pout, and I can’t help but smile back before leaning in to suck her lip into my mouth, teasing her with a gentle bite. She’s not the only one who wishes I didn’t have to leave.

I sit up, and she immediately notices the shift in my demeanor, her brow furrowing with concern. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing at all,” I reassure her with a quick kiss. “I’ll be right back.”

Climbing out of bed, I grab my phone from the pocket of my jeans on the floor as I slip on my boxers. I close the bedroom door quietly behind me and head into the bathroom, my heart pounding with nerves. Taking a deep breath, I pull up Callum’s number and press call.

“What’s up?” Callum answers, his tone already impatient.

“Hey, I’m not gonna make it in today. I’m not feeling good,” I lie, my pulse quickening with the fib.

He sighs, clearly frustrated by the last-minute notice. “You sure you can’t just come in for a little bit? I’ll let you go early.”

Guilt tugs at me, but the thought of leaving Millie now feels unbearable. “No, I need to get back in bed.” It’s not entirely a lie—just not in the way he thinks.

“Shit, all right. Feel better.”

“Thanks,” I say, hanging up quickly before he can add anything else. A grin spreads across my face. Now, I have the entire day.

As I head back toward Millie’s room, she steps out, tying her bathrobe around her waist. “Everything alright?”

I reach her, wrapping my arms around her waist and pulling her close. “I’m all yours today.”

Her face lights up, and the sight makes the little white lie to Callum seem worth it. “Really?”

I nod. “Really. So, what are we going to do?”

The next several hours are spent in bed, talking and laughing. I open up about my childhood, sharing stories of what it was like growing up as the youngest of the Atwoods. She listens intently, her eyes never leaving mine, though she doesn’t share much about her own life. I figure she’s just too caught up in my tales to think about hers, but I’m curious to learn more about her too.

When we get hungry, we order Chinese food and eat it right there in bed, surrounded by the comfort of pillows and blankets.

“These fortunes are never good,” she says, cracking open her fortune cookie with a skeptical look.

“Oh, come on, sometimes they’re spot on. Let me see.” I snatch the tiny slip of paper from her fingers before she can read it and pretend to scrutinize it. Grinning, I say, “Seems pretty accurate to me.”

“What’s it say?” she asks, eyeing me suspiciously.

“That you will find an irresistible man who you can’t imagine spending another day without,” I tease, waggling my eyebrows at her.

Her eyes widen in surprise before narrowing in mock suspicion. “Liar,” she accuses, snatching the fortune back from me as I laugh. She reads it aloud, “There’s good and bad, which is which.”

“Yeah, that one does suck,” I admit, still chuckling.

“I liked yours better,” she says with a smile, her eyes softening as she tosses the paper aside. The simple joy of this moment, shared over takeout and silly fortunes, is exactly the kind of happiness I never want to let go of.

“Me too,” I say, grabbing the back of her head to pull her toward me. I kiss her and the moment our tongues touch we both let out a moan.

I pull back, grinning as I search her beautiful face. “Before I end up making a mess of all this Chinese food on your bed, let's do something else.”

Her beautiful smile takes over her face as she nods. “Sure.”

“Let’s finish eating because we’re going to need our energy for what I have planned, but how about while we do that, you get some of your favorite books and show me your favorite quotes. I’ll read them to you while we finish eating.”

“Seriously?” she asks with wide eyes.

“Yeah,” I say with a shrug. “I think it’s kinda romantic.”

“Oh it is,” she says, jumping out of bed to grab her books.

For the next few hours, we stay tangled in each other, lying in bed as I read her favorite quotes aloud. Each one reveals a different facet of who she is, a peek into the complex world of Millie Mason. The quotes are as varied as the emotions they evoke—some are tender and romantic, speaking of love that transcends time; others are sweet, filled with the kind of warmth that makes your heart swell. But there are also quotes laced with anger, raw and powerful, reflecting the fire that burns beneath her calm exterior. And then there are the erotic ones, words that ignite a different kind of heat between us, stirring a desire that’s impossible to ignore.

It’s a wild combination, a rollercoaster of emotions that takes us from soft, lingering touches to intense, heated gazes. Each quote feels like a new discovery, a deeper connection, and as I read them to her, I can’t help but be turned on by the passion and depth they convey. It’s intoxicating, being able to see so many sides of her, to explore the many layers that make up the woman I’m falling for.

The air around us is charged, and I feel a growing need to close the book and let the words we’ve shared turn into something more. But for now, I relish the intimacy of this moment, the way her eyes light up with every passage, the way she reacts to each line as if it’s a piece of her soul being laid bare.

Inside the walls of her apartment, it feels like we’ve created our own sanctuary, a safe haven that shields us from the chaos of the outside world. Here, within these four walls, it’s as if nothing can touch us—not the questions that linger in the back of my mind, not the problems that await us beyond this door, not the uncertainties of what the future might hold.

This space is our refuge, where everything else fades into the background. The worries that normally weigh so heavily on me seem distant, insignificant compared to the warmth and comfort I find in Millie’s arms.

There are so many things I know I need to face, so many conversations we need to have, but right now, none of that matters. What’s important is being here, in this moment, wrapped in the safe cocoon of Millie’s embrace. In this place, with her, I feel invincible, as if nothing in the world could possibly go wrong as long as we’re together.