Deeply Personal

Chapter 39

Jessica

Jessica woke to a grumbling deep within the mysterious caverns of her chest. Heartburn . Acid that defied gravity. How did that happen, anyway? Where was Sir Isaac Newton when you needed him?

She stumbled out of bed—it was 2:35 a.m.—and hit the Alka-Seltzer. Thank God she had some. She found Paul sleeping on the couch, and she gasped, putting a hand to her chest. She was sure he’d gone home. Her heart grew as light as a balloon at seeing him. He looked like a statue of a sleeping giant created by Rodin—those strong shoulders, that thick hair. She hated to wake him, though what she wanted most was for him to join her in bed.

“Paul?” she whispered.

He stirred.

“Paul?” She knelt beside the couch and rested her cheek on his chest. “Come to bed, babe.”

He opened his eyes. “Huh?”

“Come to bed. With me.”

Feeling such tenderness for him, she took his hand and led him to her bedroom. He undressed down to his underwear. She drew a long breath as he lay beside her and settled in under the covers. He reached out to her, drawing her to him. In the darkness, their lips met and he kissed her deeply, passionately, his right hand starting to explore her most tender area while he fondled her breasts with his left, then kissed the nipples. She moaned, soothed, gripping him tight.

Later, however, she couldn’t sleep. But it wasn’t because of a worry or a problem. She just laid there in awe, watching his massive chest gently rise and fall, letting her eyes run over the hills and valleys of his handsome face. So beautiful. She snuggled against his sleeping body, soaking in his nearness in the quiet of the night.