“I don’t want to freak you out, but can I ask you something?”

Panicked, I put my hand over his mouth and said, “No.”

What the hell is he going to ask me? I don’t know if I wanted to hear it.

My eyes were glued on him and my hand remained over his mouth. I remained frozen for a moment until he began to laugh against my palm. I spread my fingers just enough to allow sound to pass through.

“Will you be my girlfriend, Sophia?”

Is this a joke? My mind went blank… words escaped me.

“Your words captured my heart, and I fell for you before I ever touched you. I didn’t want to open my heart to anyone, but you, you seeped into my veins bringing new meaning to my life. Being with you in person only made my feelings deeper for you, sealing my fate,” he said. “I want you to be mine… I will not share you with anyone.”

“Yes, Kayden,” I said. His words stole my breath and warmed my body.

Contentment overcame me, and I drifted back to sleep tucked into his arms. I woke to the sound of rain thumping against the window panes. Kayden was sitting on the edge of the bed rubbing his eyes.

“I’ll be right back,” Kayden said to me as he picked his shorts off the floor.

“I’m not going anywhere,” I said to him as I sprawled out on his bed.

I heard the water turn on in the bathroom. I waited for him to return. I was too tired to do anything anyway. I heard noises coming from the kitchen as he moved around the apartment.

“Come on, baby doll. I ran a bath for us,” he said to me as he pulled back the covers to reveal my flesh, his hands outstretched towards me.

I grabbed his hands and let him pull me out of bed. I followed behind him as he guided us to the bathroom. When I entered the bathroom, he had not only made a bubble bath, but had candles flickering everywhere. It was romantic; no one had ever done anything like this for me before. I stopped in the doorway.

“What’s wrong?” Kayden asked.

“You did this for me?” I asked, still in shock.

“Yes, for us. You don’t like it?” he asked concerned.

“Oh, I love it. No one has ever made a bath for me. It’s sweet,” I told him. I could feel my eyes filling with water.

“Well, get used to it. I want to take care of you. You deserve this, Sophia,” he said to me as he pulled me towards the bathtub.

He stepped into the bathtub first and I followed behind him. He sat down and helped me situate myself to be comfortable. I leaned against his body and felt totally and utterly happy.

“I know you don’t feel well today, so no sex. This isn’t just about sex for me,” he said to me.

“No?”

“Well, not now at least. I just want to lay here and enjoy being with you. Just relax.” He ran his fingertips up and down my arms.

I relished in and craved his touch. I leaned back, rested my head upon his shoulder, and closed my eyes.

“I needed this. It’s so relaxing,” I said to him in a hushed tone.

“I am going to pamper you today and always, Sophia,” he whispered next to my ear.

I mumbled, I was so relaxed I could barely speak. He continued to touch my skin softly and trickle water all over my body.

“I haven’t been this happy in forever,” Kayden said to me.

“You make me feel special—different—Kayden.”

“You are. I’ve never known anyone like you. You make me look forward to each day and I want you to feel the same,” he said to me.

“I thought you didn’t want another relationship?”

“I thought I was through with love, but that was before I met you. I can’t imagine you not being in my life. I want you to be only mine,” he told me while stroking my cheek.

“I’m glad I could open your heart again,” I said to him as I stroked his legs.

I rested my head against his body and let the tranquility overcome me. He caressed and washed my entire body with a peach scented soap. My senses were overwhelmed.

“Are you hungry?”

“A little bit. My stomach feels almost normal again,” I replied while rubbing a hand over my belly.

“I’m going to make us something to eat. I want you to rest in bed while I cook,” he said to me before kissing the back of my head.

Kayden helped me out of the bath and grabbed a towel. He slowly and methodically dried my body off, and my heart melted. He was so kind and gentle. After he was done, I walked back into the bedroom and crawled in bed. Kayden entered the room right after me and tucked me in like my father used to do when I was a kid.

“Rest a while. I’ll be back in a bit to check on you.” He kissed me on the lips. I watched as he disappeared into the hallway and I closed my eyes and thought about Kayden.

“Sophia. Wake up, sleepyhead.” I heard Kayden whispering while touching my face.

“I’m awake. Now.”

“I’m making chicken soup, and it’s simmering on the stove. I thought I would come pamper you a little more,” he said to me as I sat up in the bed. “Can I brush your hair?”

“Really? You want to brush my hair?” I replied with wide eyes and a dopey grin.

“Yes, I love your hair,” he stated matter-of-factly walking towards my brush on the dresser.

“Knock yourself out,” I said.

“Come here and sit in front of me,” he said as he crawled on the bed and patted a spot in front of him.

I did as I was told and sat in front of him. I hadn’t had another person brush my hair since my mother had when I was a kid. My hair was long and thick, and I hated brushing the tangled mess. He methodically worked through each section of hair and took his time. He made sure not to pull too hard or snag my hair. I sat there and relished the feeling of being pampered by him.

“All done,” he said all too soon as he handed me the brush.

“Thank you. That was so relaxing. I’ve never had anyone, besides my mother, brush my hair,” I said as I turned to face him.

“I’ll do it for you, always,” he said as he kissed me on the lips, I wanted to believe what he said was true. “I have to go check on the soup.”

“I’m sure it’s warm by now,” I said to him, not wanting him to leave.

“Silly girl. I’m not reheating something from a can. I made it from scratch while you were sleeping,” he said, shaking his head in disbelief.

“You made me homemade chicken noodle soup?” I asked, still not believing he took the time and care in feeding me.

“I never eat soup from a can, gross. Stay here while I go check on it, and if it’s ready, I’ll bring you a bowl,” he told me as he stood up.

I didn’t want this dream to end. Was I still asleep? Did this man really draw me a bath, brush my hair, and make me homemade soup?

He walked back into the room with two mugs brimming with steaming liquid. The smell wafted from the doorway and reminded me of home. We stayed barricaded inside his room all day watching movies, snuggling, and enjoying his homemade soup.

Light filtered through my eyelashes and woke me from my sleep. Hot. My body felt like I was sleeping next to a fire, but it was Kayden’s naked body. I scooted away slowly just far enough to escape his heat. He was still fast asleep, and from my new position I could watch him sleep. He slept peacefully barely making a sound. He had a shadow on his face from his beard growing in, and his hand was tucked under his cheek. He looked almost childlike, unlike the wild sexual animal I knew was brewing under his cool façade.

His eyes fluttered open and I quickly shut my eyes, I didn’t want him to know I had been staring.

“Good morning, beautiful, I saw you looking at me,” he said.

Busted. “I didn’t want you to think I was a weirdo,” I said as I opened my eyes and smiled at him.

“I already know you’re a freak in the sheets, why not add creepy sleep watcher to your resume,” he laughed.

“I’m not creepy,” I said as I smacked him playfully on his shoulder.

“What do you want to do today?” he asked while reaching out to move the hair away from my face.

“Can we go to the cemetery near the streetcar line and walk around?” I asked.

“That’s different, I don’t think I’ve ever been there with anyone before,” he responded.

We left the apartment and headed to the cemetery. It was a hot day, and the air was thick with humidity. The sky was lined with white puffy clouds, and it looked like it might rain. The cemetery was empty—we had it all to ourselves. Kayden held my hand as we walked to the gravesites.

The gravesites weren’t the typical headstones that I had been accustomed to, small markers packed together row upon row, but they were unique buildings made of various types of stone. They were decorated with statues, stained glass, and iron gates. Multiple generations were buried inside the crypt-like structures. We peered through windows and entered the buildings that were open. While we were talking, the rain began to fall, but the sun continued to shine.

“Let’s sit down for a bit and get out of the rain,” I said to him while pulling on his hand toward a building under a tree.

It was a beautiful building that was white with a green tinge around the edges. It was under a massive oak tree that we found shelter from the rain. We sat on the steps with our knees touching and he placed an arm around my shoulder.

“This place is beautiful,” I said noticing him watching me out of the corner of my eye.

“So are you, Sophia,” he said as brushed a piece of damp hair off my neck.

Goosebumps formed on my skin despite the steam rising from the concrete. He traced a line from the little strands of hair to my knee in one fluid move. My insides liquefied under his fingertips as I closed my eyes and exhaled slowly trying to maintain my sanity.