Mason awoke to see the sky turning a lighter shade of purple through the blinds, his body exhausted, and as he turned and faced Avery, he couldn't help but feel a bit of pity; she would no doubt be hurting far more than him.
She was on her side with a hand draped over his chest and he wished he could wake up like this forever. Her blonde hair was bedraggled and still she appeared an angel. In his lethargy, he couldn't believe any of it had happened at all.
Turning onto his side to face her, the arm that had been draped over him fell upon the pillow near her head. He watched her sleep as he gently traced a finger along her side, then took a moment to sweep the hair that had stuck to her cheek behind her ear.
Avery licked her lips, gently waking, though with very little consciousness. She let out a moan as she shifted her aching body, ready to roll into a new position to find the sleep again. But she noticed fingers tracing her side and it was so blissful and comforting, she smiled and allowed her eyes to flutter.
Face to face with Mason, she closed her eyes once more. "That feels nice," she whispered, because while she could fall back asleep at any moment, it did honestly feel so comforting and lovely the way his soft fingers trailed across her skin. "It's not morning, is it?"
"No," Mason said, unable to take his eyes from her. "Maybe five? Hour or so from sunrise."
"Hmm," Avery sighed. "Yeah, but we're sleeping until at least noon," she whispered contentedly, brushing her cheek upon the pillow.
"At least," Mason agreed, grinning. Using the back of his fingers, he pulled her hair from her neck, then slid his hand down her back, urging her closer. She complied, molded like clay until her chest was pressed against his. Continuing south with his hand, he ran it over her thigh, then hiked her left leg over his hip to pull her even closer.
He wanted her now. A little sleepy early morning romp before they crashed out again well into daylight, and he raised his head a bit to look over her shoulder, finding Carter deeply asleep with his back toward them.
Now with a purpose, his hand brushed across her skin, closer and closer to intimate areas with each stroke. And as he'd near her breasts, she'd exhale with the tiniest little moan. "I want you, Avery," Mason whispered after another minute, hiking her leg up further. "I need you."
Avery exhaled deeply. She was so tired. So achy. Her body barely felt like her own anymore and she desperately needed more sleep.
Despite it all, she pressed her hips against him almost subconsciously, and upon further consideration she realized she wanted this. This incredible, soft, tender, sensual love in the wee hours of the morning, awake just enough to be in the moment, but not waking fully so she could fall back asleep at will.
"Yes, Mason," she moaned after another moment, then brought her lips to his. Kissing him, she wrapped her arm around his neck to pull herself ever closer. "I need you, too."
Mason reached between them and guided himself to her entrance. It didn't take too much effort with how relaxed and lethargic she was to press his way inward, and he relished in her airy moan before stifling it with his mouth.
"Shh," he said as he began to pump at her, holding the back of her knee up as high as he could comfortably pull it. "Let's not wake up Carter. It's just you and me."
Avery nodded, though it was always hard to stifle the sounds as she was penetrated. Thank god she was as tired as she was, so they exited at the volume of whispers.
Everything was perfect. She couldn't help but take a moment and relish in how loved she felt, right in this space. How Mason's gentle lovemaking was exactly what she needed. The way he'd touch her now felt like a solemn worship, and she kissed him again, moaning into his mouth as she bit his lower lip.
Mason could be buried in her forever. He kept a steady, languid pace, like rolling waves on a calm ocean, and didn't dare pick it up as he wished it to last.