Tethered (Book Two of The Invisible String Series)

Forever

Leaning over, I place a light kiss against Lizzie's bare shoulder before brushing a lock of hair away from her face, watching as her nose scrunches up adorably. "It's time to wake up, my love."

The brunette stirs slightly, and after a few more seconds of coaxing she peeks an eye open, the green color of her iris looking so much darker than usual as she sleepily smiles up at me. "Hi."

My heart does a little dance at the sight and the sound of her sleep-rapsed voice, causing me my own smile to widen as I tangle my fingers into her brown locks. "Hello, my love. Did you sleep okay?"

"Yes. I think the combination of jet lag and sex really helps a woman sleep through the night."

Snorting, I detangle my fingers from her hair and stand up off the bed, stretching my arms above my head and letting out a light hum as I think back to last night. If I look for it, I can still find a lingering hint of Lizzie on my lips and I have to physically restrain myself from diving back in for another taste. "I can't handle you this early in the morning. I am going to go shower, you're more than welcome to join me."

As I start off towards the bathroom I hear shuffling around, and a few seconds later feel a pair of arms wrap themselves around my waist from behind, almost causing me to stumble forward. "As if I would turn down such an opportunity."

Laughing lightly, I somehow manage to get the both of us into the bathroom completely unscathed with my koala of a girlfriend firmly attached to my back. Untangling myself from Lizzie's limbs was a whole other story, and it's only when I remind the other woman that I have to be naked to take a shower that she lets go. But that doesn't stop her from some dirty commentary as I undress, or from smacking me on the ass as she moves to enter the running shower first. Of course that only spurs me to dig my fingers into the brunette's sides, earning a round of loud laughter from my girlfriend. "Nooo! Y/N, stop!"

Deciding that I probably should, I release the woman from my hold, using the opportunity to duck under the stream of warm water. A few seconds later I feel Lizzie's arms wrap back around me and let out a pleasant hum. The skin-on-skin contact and the feeling of the woman I love pressed up against me is extremely relaxing. The moment feels very intimate, and I try to savor every second of it as I slide my own arms around the brunette's shoulders. "This is nice."

I feel Lizzie nod against my collarbone, and after wiping a few stray water droplets from my eyes, I glance down to see her cheek resting against my chest and a small, content smile on her face. "It is."

Letting my fingers trail over whatever skin I could reach, I let myself get lost in the vision before, Lizzie's wet hair slicked back and drops of water beading against her cheeks. "I love you."

Green eyes pop open to stare back up at me, causing my heart to flutter around inside my chest. It's a reaction that I hope I never lose. "I love you, too."

After a few more minutes of just basking in each other's presence, we eventually do manage to get showered and ready for our tour of the town. I made sure to keep us both dressed pretty casually, because while my hometown is pretty small and I usually don't have to worry about photographers, there have been a few times that the press has caught wind of me being back home and I'm hoping that by looking as normal as possible that I can walk around without being too noticed.

Once I'm sure that Lizzie is properly bundled up and isn't going to freeze today, the two of us make our way towards my father's old truck. I chivariously make sure to open the door for my girlfriend, earning a smirk from the brunette as I help her slide into the passenger seat. "And they said chivalry is dead."

Chuckling, I bend down to press a quick kiss to her already somehow cold cheek. "Well, I am a lesbian. Chivalry is what we do best."

Lizzie lets out a light laugh as I close her door and make my way to the driver's side, sliding in with a large smile on my face. Today is gonna be a good day. We're gonna go out and have fun, and I'm gonna get to show Lizzie all of my favorite spots and then tonight I get to ring in the new year with the most beautiful woman in the world.