I scooted toward the edge of the chaise lounge and looked around the room. Rebel was asleep in my lap and my arms were wrapped around her waist. The lights were dim, and soft, familiar music was playing in the background. It took my eyes a few seconds to adjust to the surroundings. The last thing I remembered was feeling a contented sort of exhaustion. It had been a long day for the both of us and Rebel must have fallen asleep in my arms shortly after. She looked peaceful and beautiful and soft in my arms.
I kissed the top of her head and whispered, “I love you, baby.” I carefully adjusted before standing up and carrying Rebel to the bedroom. Cradled, gently in my arms, I laid her on the bed. The sheer white dress was no easy task to remove. It looked and fit as if it was painted on, but I had to admit, I sure did enjoy taking it off of the gorgeous body before me. What a feast. I wasn’t surprised to find Rebel completely naked, and I blushed at the thoughts that flashed in my mind before catching myself. Lying there naked, and asleep, I took in the sight of her: my baby. I quickly undressed, clothed in only boxers I got into bed. I curled up tight against Rebel and we spooned. I listened to her breathing and heart beats rise and fall until I was fast asleep.
I breathed in deep, expecting to fill my senses with the smell of good home cooking, but the source of the intoxicating scent that had been slowly filling the room was downright offensive. I knew right then that my attempt to surprise Rebel with breakfast in bed had gone up in smoke. I fucked up. But at least the kitchen wasn’t on fire. I rapidly fanned the smoke alarm to keep it from going off. I hated the sound. Sadly, I knew it well.
That’s when Rebel walked in. She immediately lightened the mood by laughing at my unfortunate situation. I have to admit I looked funny as hell standing there in my boxers, sports bra, and apron. I gave her my best angel face although I was feeling quite devilish at the moment for other reasons entirely. I explained that I wanted to make breakfast in bed, but how could Rebel know that I didn’t know my way around a kitchen. Now she did. I shrugged it off.
“Leave the cooking to the professionals!” she teased while reaching for her apron, which I was still wearing until I took it off and lifted it above her head out of reach. I was enjoying this too much. Damn, she looked fine.
“I kinda like what you’re wearing now.” I said to justify the hunger in my eyes. You see, she was exactly as I left her when I climbed out of bed this morning. Completely naked. I could definitely get used to this. I guess she couldn’t either because the next thing she did was put her sexy hand on her sexy hip and ask me if I was still hungry. Why did she even bother asking?
“No. Not for food,” I said as my eyes roamed her body like I was the hunter and she the willing victim. My loud ass stomach growl broke the silence.
“Liar!” Rebel said and laughed, reaching for the apron once again. I finally handed it over and it fell onto the floor. I glanced up at Rebel and found myself exploring the length of her body from head to toe. Every curve, every ripple, and every inch of her, I desired. I wanted to drop down onto my knees and caress her with my lips. That’s when my stomach growled again, even louder this time. I couldn’t help but laugh and so did Rebel.
I washed dishes from the night before while Rebel made an exquisite breakfast for us. I was constantly catching glimpses of her moving back and forth around the kitchen, grabbing this and that before making her way toward me. When she reached for something our skin made contact and I felt a surge of desire rise from deep within. I’d been torturing myself since the moment I stepped foot in the house. All I wanted to do was make love to… I smiled at the sound of it. She was my girl. When she sashayed out of the kitchen I set the table and turned on some music.
I devoured every morsel on my plate, and then helped myself to seconds. I couldn’t help it, I swear. I was in love with Rebel’s cooking. There was no question about it. It was like she had the map to my heart and her GPS was right on time. We talked through breakfast, but mostly Rebel talked, and I ate. Afterward, we cleaned the kitchen and moved around each other like a graceful couple dancing to a slow beat of hearts entwining, bringing together two stars so bright they deserve their own galaxy. Rebel fit perfectly into my world and I didn’t want her to change a thing about herself. That was rare. So rare in fact I’d only experienced it once before.
When the kitchen was clean, I set up my laptop on the dining table. I needed to retouch some images I’d been editing for my website, which featured my portfolio. I’d cleared my entire schedule for a month, at least, but I promised myself that I would use the time wisely. That included a much needed update to my portfolio. I finished and moved onto the fun stuff; editing my last shoot.
I always edited my photos by instinct and so began the process using my image editing software. I felt Rebel come up behind as I scanned hundreds of images and picked the ones I envisioned in the final advertisement. Rebel pointed to the ones that stood out to her, and her eye for detail was impeccable. Not surprising since she was a brilliant artist, even though she didn’t act like that. I desaturated, combined colors, adjusted levels and blended and adjusted curves until I liked what was looking back at me.
By the time I looked up from my laptop, Rebel had long since abandoned my shoulder and was off in a corner quietly sketching on a pad. I wondered how long she’d been there and averted my eyes when I saw her glance at me, intently, as if trying to capture some minute detail with her visual pen. I wanted to grin, but I didn’t want to break her concentration. I caught her gazing at me out of the corner of my eye again and I wanted to make love to her. I could feel her eyes locked somewhere on me and a warm lusty passion rose to the surface. It permeated my core and I wanted to share the feeling with Rebel.
I pushed back from the chair and glanced at the time. I must have gotten lost in my work because it was damn near 3 o’clock already. I walked over to Rebel, leaned down and kissed her softly on the lips. I let it linger awhile before pulling away, but not entirely. My eyes were focused on hers. I wanted them to tell her everything I was feeling. I wanted to share the overwhelming barrage of emotions that sent sensations through me every time I’d steal a glance when she wasn’t looking. But I was hesitant, and why? It was simple and complicated all at once.
I caught a glimpse of the sketch Rebel was working on and was blown away by what I saw. I said nothing, but I felt even more for Rebel because her modesty about her talent was painfully innocent, and incredibly beautiful in ways I couldn’t put into words.
She broke the easy silence between us. “There was something going on at the museum, but it’s too late for that now, so I was thinking… a movie? We can take a picnic to the drive in.”
“Aww” I thought how romantic it was. “Yeah… We have to take my truck though. More room in the back.” I winked and could feel a half smile quickly followed by a grin starting to make an appearance. As the grin slowly spread across my face I hoped to God I wasn’t cheesing like a Cheshire cat, too, but I just knew I was.
I was in the presence of my baby girl and it felt like the love I’d been longing for was finally here, right where I needed it. She rocked my world without even moving.
