All too soon, she broke away and panted against his mouth. Though her mind reeled, her heart fought against the logical mindset telling her to abort this mission. Her body had reacted heavily towards him in a way she’d only felt the first night she’d spent with Todd. Leaning her head back, she stared up at his features before forcing herself to swallow and licking her swollen lips, “Goodnight…”
Simon pulled himself together, fixed his glasses and sighed, “…night.” He replied.
Without another word, she pulled fully away from him and hurried out of the room with the back of her hand pressed to her mouth for good reason. The only sound that followed soon after was her bedroom door closing the lock clicking in place.
After he looked in on his children, he forced himself to find a way to spend the night without her. Laying on his back in bed, his hand was on his chest while the other pressed against his brow. A million thoughts flew through his head at once. There were many clear and rational reasons as to why it wasn’t a good idea, but the temptation and attraction to be near her was naturally overwhelming.
Checking his phone, he groaned at the time before he tossed it over on the pillow she slept on. Once again, his thoughts drifted to her and what she was doing without the knowledge that she mimicked him in almost every way. Struggling to make peace on both sides of their desires, it was safe to say there was little sleep involved during the first night without each other.
Chapter 15
On the last day, before they were due to make the big flight home, Simon knew he wanted go out somewhere nice for Cherish. There’d been a little intentional distance between them because of New Years, but he wanted to bring them back to their normal and give her one final memory. He made sure to do his hair and dress nicely before he crossed the hallway to her door.
She’d spent most of the day cleaning up hers and the kids’ room. As she folded a couple shirts and placed them into her suitcase. She pulled the end of Simon's sweater over the edge of her pants before pushing hair out of her face with an arm.
Knocking on her door, Simon turned the knob and swung it open before his gaze rested on her tall frame, “Hey, change of plans today. How about we go into town and look around? Maybe get something to eat. I’ll even settle for a souvenir.” He suggested.
She glanced over at him and inhaled a deep breath. Immediately she looked away from Simon and quelled the initial flusterment from her stomach, "Hm?" Pressing the palm of her hand to her stomach, she turned towards him with a grin, "You wait until our vacation is over and now you want to take me out to see the sights?" She asked biting on her bottom lip before going into the bathroom, "Give me one good reason as to why I should accept." She stated while she grabbed a jar of lip balm.
With a smile on his face, he folded his hands behind his back, teetered playfully in his step, and followed her, “Because you know you want to.” He answered. This caught Cherish’s attention. She arched an eyebrow at his reflection with a smirk. Simon leaned against the doorframe and crossed his arms while he watched her rub the balm on her lips; keeping them soft and luscious. Reaching after she was done, he dabbed some on himself and rubbed his lips together, “The best time to go sight-seeing is right before you can’t see them anymore. At least I think so.” He said.
Rubbing her lips together, she waited until he was finished before she twisted the jar closed. Setting it down, she began to gather her hair into a fist and grabbed a hair tie, "So, you can see the sights with anyone right? Why don't you ask your mom, or Miriam? Why is it that you want to drag me out into the cold?" She questioned.
Entering, he braced his palms on the counter around her body and leaned in closer. Through the mirror, she could see that he was staring straight at her from over her shoulder, “Wrong, I want you…” Cherish’s lips slightly parted as she stared at him. Simon smiled a little to himself before he lowered his gaze and pressed his forehead momentarily against her shoulder, “…besides, we’ve earned a day away from the kids, haven’t we?”
Cherish looked at him through the reflection again as she finished tying her hair up. The way he made her feel every time he came close was strong and instinctive, but they knew now wasn’t their time. Simon blurred those lines and, for the most part, she did as well; because she wanted him. All of him. She stared him for an unspoken moment before glancing away, "Let me finish up and I'll meet you downstairs." She whispered.
A bright, contented expression washed over him as he broke into a smile; showing his straight teeth. Inhaling a deep breath, he then pulled away completely from her form, “Perfect, I’ll get everything ready.” He stated.
Seemingly in a hurry, Cherish watched him leave the room. Getting to the bottom of the stairs, he saw Jack and Miriam playing on the floor with Jr. and his mother feeding Jasmine. They all looked in his direction and he gave them a thumbs up.
Margaret, smirked a bit at her son as she gave him an "okay" gesture. Though she was the one who had given the idea. She’d nagged at him because he hadn't taken that "Sweet,
