after this night (camren)

23. Lauren

I didn't want the time with her to end. I didn't want anything with her to end.

As I stepped into the elevator after dinner at an Italian restaurant that evening, I was painfully aware of the ticking clock marching toward tomorrow's game, then Sunday morning when we'd meet Austin at eleven, then Sunday afternoon when I'd put her on a plane and let her crisscross the country. As we reached my floor, the thought of sending her home again was like a cut inside my mouth, an annoying reminder that couldn't be ignored. Because I wanted so much more with her. I wanted these moments to unfold every damn day.

But all I could do was make the most of this moment.

"I have a gift for you" I said when we were inside my home.

A smile teased at her gorgeous lips, "A gift? I love gifts. However did you know?" 

"Of course you love gifts" I said, with the confidence of knowing her.

"Why do you say of course?" She leaned against the doorframe in the kitchen, tilting her head to the side in curiosity.

"Because" I said, running my fingers across the top of her skirt, "you know how to enjoy things. Because you don't deny yourself. Because you let yourself feel pleasure and want. And that's the kind of person who likes gifts. The kind of person who knows how to enjoy life" I lowered my head to her neck, unable to resist brushing my lips against her soft skin. She shivered, and grabbed onto my shirt, tugging me close, "My point exactly" I added.

She broke the embrace and made grabby hands, "Gimme, gimme, gimme"

"Stretching my arm around her, I scooped up the pink box I'd left on the counter that morning. I handed her the gift and tried my best to record every frame of her reaction. The way her eyes lit up as she ran a palm across the box, then as she untied the satiny bow, letting it fall onto the counter. She lifted the top and peered inside.

"Ooh" she said appreciatively, then took the black thigh-high stockings from the box, and laid the box on the counter, "Your favourite thing"

I nodded.

"You want me to put these on now?"

"No. Save them. I need you to wear them tomorrow night"

She narrowed her eyes at me, "Why?"

"It's my poker handicap"

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"I don't want to win tomorrow. If you're wearing those, I won't, because it's all I'll think about" I said, brushing my fingertips from her knees up her thighs.

"Her lips parted as I neared the apex of her legs, but she pressed a hand against my chest, holding me back, "I want to win fair and square. I told you that. You promised"

"I know you do. But you don't need to prove to me you can beat me, Camila. I'm on you team" I said, grabbing her hand and linking my fingers through hers, "And I need you to wear those tomorrow night for me. Say you will"

I watched her. Her shoulders rose and fell, and she didn't speak for a moment, as if she were considering it, "Why do you have to be so damn convincing?"

"It's my job to make a good argument"

"You're too good at what you do. But I'd wear them for you anyway. And since evidently Christmas is early at your house, I suppose it's as good a time as any to let you know I have something for you"

"I love Christmas" I said as she took my hand and guided me upstairs. When she reached her suitcase, she unzipped it and dipped a hand into the inside pocket.