35 • What the Morning Brings

Background color
Font
Font size
Line height

The next morning, I awoke to a gentle breeze and the sound of early morning street traffic filtering in through the window. South was still sleeping. Soft, warm breaths caressed my cheek. His hand covering the compass tattooed over his heart.

It was the first time I'd ever woken up before him. South was an early riser, and by the time I finally crawled out of bed, he was usually just coming back from a long run or lifting weights.

This still-sleeping version of South was different. Easy rest had relaxed his brow and released the tension along his jawline. His soft lips slightly parted. Black lashes fanned out over barely tanned skin.

Inky hair tousled. Stubble rough. A slight sheen covering his skin.

I barely dared to breathe or move. I didn't want to wake him. Not when he was so soundly asleep.

And not after what he'd done for me last night.

South Tenney was an absolutely beautiful man, inside and out. And he made me feel like I could touch the sky, so long as I was sitting on his shoulders.

The longer I watched him sleep, open and vulnerable, the more I realized just how deeply he'd sank beneath my skin. How far he'd buried inside my heart.

Above all that, this man had stitched me back together.

Literally and figuratively.

In that moment, with a throbbing ache in my hands and my knees and in the deepest part of my heart, I knew I wanted South to do more than stitch me back together. I wanted the life he painted for us last night—the one at his house in Virginia Beach.

We could run away together—not on a boat or up a mountain—but towards a real life. We could leave Newport and all the pain. I could get a job, or go back to school and get my master's degree, or do both. I could be happy down there. With him.

Another breeze from the open window rustled gauzy curtains, and sunlight flitted across his face. South's lashes fluttered, and I held my breath. Not wanting to wake him. Not yet.

It was in that breath-holding moment—when I realized I'd have done anything for this man who'd given up so much of himself—that I knew I was falling in love with him.

No, I wasn't falling in love. I was in love with him. And I didn't care if it was too fast or a whirlwind or whatever anyone wanted to call it.

South Tenney was stitched into my skin, and I didn't want to lie to him.

He didn't care what his dad thought of me, so why should I?

I felt so stupid and reckless after last night. I had no right to be investigating his dad. I had no training and no idea what I was getting involved in.

And then there was that smile that'd spread across Les Tenney's face like a disease. I didn't want to find out what else he could do if I kept pushing. Connor was right about that much—I needed to let this go.

Another warm breeze floated in from the window, and South's stirred. Pretty hazel eyes fluttered open before he gave me a lazy smile.

And fuck, he was painfully beautiful in the groggy morning light.

"Good morning," I whispered. Leaning in and pressing a kiss to lips that had worshiped every inch of my body.

South didn't shy away from my morning kiss. He leaned into me, his hand cupping the side of my face. Soft lips opened mine and his tongue swept inside. I wanted all of him. The way he tasted and the warmth of his skin. I was his girl. And he was mine. And that had to be enough.

"Good morning," South whispered back. "How long have you been awake?"

Long enough to decide I was done worrying about his dad and wanted to start focusing on us.

"Not long."

He smiled back at me before eyeing the alarm clock sitting on his nightstand. "You're gonna be late to work, Miss Isley."

"I don't care," I told him. Setting my bandaged hand on his chest. "South," I said slowly, "I'm gonna put in my two-week notice today."

His face shifted from groggy morning smiles to wide-eyed surprise. "Does that mean what I think it does?"

I grinned so wide my cheeks hurt. "Yeah. It does. I want to come home with you. As long as I can bring Rocky." He kissed me hard, smiling as his lips moved over mine.

"Done. Bring your dog and all your bags. I want it all. I want you. In fact," South said, a naughty grin cresting over his lips, "I've never wanted you more."

South rocked his hips into me, and his completely naked body came flush against mine. The hard length of him pressing against me.

This man did things to me I couldn't explain but that I felt deep inside.

We kissed and laughed and held each other until we found our way into the shower. Hot water and slow, open kisses came while South held me against the glass, making sure I kept my hand dry. Rubbing soap over all my curves.

Thirty minutes later, he was dropping me off at work and promising to bring me lunch. "And," he said, kissing me one last time before I got out of the car. "I'm gonna stop by your dad's office today."

"Why?" I asked. A flush of heat spreading over my chest and up my neck.

South brushed back a stray piece of my hair. "Because I want to be the one to tell him you're moving to Virginia. I want him to know that I'm not just fucking around with you. I want him to know this is real. I want him to know that—"

He paused, rolling his bottom lip, and I swore my skin was glowing red with anticipation. My breath was lodged somewhere in my throat.

South continued. "I've never been more serious about anything or anyone. You're it for me, Camilla."

A charged moment hung in the air between us. I wanted to tell him that I loved him. That I needed him. That I wanted the same things he did. But, I didn't want to say I love you sitting outside the Yacht Club. Call me sentimental, but I wanted the first time I told South Tenney I loved him to be special.

If this was forever, then I could wait another few days.

So instead, I said, "You're it for me too."

I strolled inside the Newport Yacht Club feeling like a new person. I didn't have to be Camilla Isley—the Public Relations Coordinator—anymore. I didn't have to be the fake, scared girl who no one bothered to remember unless they needed something.

I said good morning to Sandra before unlocking my office and settling into my chair. In two weeks, I'd be on my next great adventure, and I couldn't wait to put this place and all the pain behind me.

It was nearly impossible to type with the bandages on my hands, so I decided to let Lianna know I was resigning my position in person. I didn't have anything to be scared of. If she got mad, what did it matter? If she said something hurtful—who cared?

I strolled up to my boss's corner office and knocked twice.

"Come in!" called Lianna's overly sweet voice. She clearly didn't know it was me standing outside.

When I opened the door, Lianna's gaze traveled from her computer screen to my face—then my hands. Her Newport-pretty features drawn in perfect surprise.

"Oh my God, girl! What happened to you?"

I shrugged, trying to seem unaffected by her concern. "I fell. It's not a big deal."

Lianna stood from her chair and marched over to me. Studying my bandages. "This looks bad. I wish you would've called. I would have told you to stay home. Do you need some time off?"

I shook my head and stared down at the ground. "I can manage for now. Listen, Lianna, there's something I need to talk to you about."

"No, Camilla. Let me go first." Lianna was wearing a blush Dior blazer paired with a bright floral skirt. She was one of the prettiest people I'd ever met in real life. Rich and smart and funny, if not a little entitled.

"I need to apologize to you about the whole bathroom blowout we had. That went way too far, and I was wrong."

I could hardly believe what I was hearing. I couldn't hide the surprise on my face.

Lianna perched on the edge of her desk, crossing her ankles. I thought she looked genuinely sorry when our eyes met. "I should have never brought up your sister or said anything mean like that. You're not fake. I just..." she looked out the window, "I'm just under a lot of pressure from my parents to find a husband or something, and they've always had this idea that I should get with one of the Tenney boys. Easton is gay, West is too young, and South was the best option. It sounds stupid, but that's just how the social networks are."

I stared back at her, shielding my eyes from the sun filtering in. Bright orange light framed her outline, and I found myself feeling bad for this girl.

My family would be sad that I was leaving, but I had options. I could run away with South. I wasn't tied to some dynasty like Lianna was.

"Can you forgive me for being a beast?"

Her painted lips were in a sad pout, and I found myself wanting to be the bigger person. "I can't even imagine what that must be like, but thanks for explaining it. And for apologizing."

Lianna pushed off the desk and wrapped me in a warm hug. Patting my back and holding me close. I awkwardly hugged her back with my bandaged hands.

"Now," Lianna sighed, "what did you want to talk about?"

A/N

Do we forgive Lianna? 😬🤔

And Camilla and South love each other. ❤️❤️

Do we have a ship name for them?
Somilla? 🤷‍♀️ I'm so bad at this part.

Also, Beautiful Stranger is like my jam right now. I love Halsey's music so much.

xx
AJ

You are reading the story above: TeenFic.Net