Soft, melodic humming brings me out of my sleep and I inhale a deep breath, stretching my muscles. The hint of perfume in the air and the different sounds let me know I'm not in my own bed and I remember I stayed at JJ's place last night.

As I let out the breath in the form of a yawn, I relax into the bed and I feel her presence next to me.

"Good morning, JJ."

"Good morning, Harry," she replies, cuddling within my outstretched arm.

She rests her head on my shoulder, leaning her body into me with her leg on top of mine and I hear her take in a breath that will no doubt turn into a yawn. Like all yawns, it's inevitably contagious and I turn my head to yawn as to not have my morning breath fan over her. She giggles lazily, scooting even closer and her knee presses onto my full bladder.

As she peppers kisses on my chest, I bite my lip in order to distract myself from the painful feeling in my lower stomach. She slides her arm under the sheet to drape across my waist and I clear my throat.

"Uhm, I hate to spoil this moment, but I need to use the toilet."

"Oh, yeah, of course," she moves off of me and I hurriedly pull the covers back, realizing I'm still naked.

I sit up on the edge of the bed and feel around for the nightstand, searching for my white cane. As I unfold it, I feel the bed move and I assume JJ's getting up as well.

"Here's your robe. I think you'll like it. It's very soft," she explains, draping it over my shoulders and I stand up to put my arms through the sleeves. "I kept the softness factor in mind while shopping for it."

"Thank you, love," I reply, not even bothering to tie the belt. "Wait, would you like to go first?"

"No, I'm fine. I promise."

"Okay. Can you guide me to the door then?"

"Of course, love," she says, bringing my hand to elbow. "It's about six paces away and the path is clear."

I nod in acknowledgement and she starts leading me the way. She stops us from walking and guides my hand to what I feel is the door frame.

"Here we are. I'll be right here if you need me. Oh and I put your toiletry bag on the counter in the corner."

"Thanks, love, but I just need a wee," I say, rushing inside and I shut the door behind me.

I've only used her loo a couple times, but I remember where everything is and where she keeps things placed. I lift the seat and after I relieve myself, I fumble around to find the handle and I flush the toilet, simultaneously putting the seat back down.

While I wash my hands with her apple cinnamon-scented hand soap, I figure since I don't need to hurry for JJ to use the toilet, I decide to brush my teeth.

With my hands thoroughly dried, I feel around on the countertop where she said she put the toiletry bag. I unzip it and feel around inside, recognizing a tube of toothpaste and a toothbrush. After I open the packaging, I begin brushing my teeth, appreciating the mint flavor and soft bristles she chose for me.

I use my hand to cup some water up to my mouth and I swish before spitting into the sink. I make sure there are no toothpaste remnants and I pat my mouth and chin dry. After making sure my robe is tied shut, I open the door and wait at the doorway, feeling around for my white cane.

"JJ?"

"M'right here, love," she says, placing her hand on my shoulder. "Feel better?"

"Yes, much better. Thank you," I wrap my arms around her waist, leaning my head down and I pucker my lips.

She giggles and pecks my lips, "Mm, you brushed your teeth."

"I did, and with the items you got me. Thank you again, love."

"You're quite welcome. I remembered the brand you use and I just guessed on the toothbrush."

"You are very thoughtful. I have the best girlfriend in the world."

"Oh stop," she bashfully says. "You're exaggerating."

"But I'm not. It's true, love," I try to convince her and she hem-haws with a doubtful tone. "Listen, JJ, I know you've told me that you're not used to receiving compliments. And I know it's going to take some time, but please know that every compliment I give you and every time I speak highly about you, I mean it."

She inhales a shaky breath, standing very still in my arms and I decide to put a pin in the matter for now.

"What time is it, love?"

"Uhm, it's half past seven. Are you hungry?"

"Famished, actually."

"Shall we make some breakfast then? I have hot cereal or oo! I can make us some waffles. I have a waffle maker," she sing-songs and I grin at her playful side coming back.

"We could do that, or," I pause, cupping her cheek, "we can get dressed," I kiss her forehead, "and I can take us to breakfast," using my thumb as a guide, I kiss her lips, "at a café," I kiss her lips again but a little longer this time, "my treat."

"Aw, you're very sweet, but you don't have to pay for me."

"Oh okay, phew, that's a relief," I joke, earning a pat to my bum. "M'just teasing, love. I want to pay for your meal."

Breathing out a quiet laugh, JJ wraps her arms around my shoulders and I anticipate a kiss. As I duck my head down, I hold her even closer and our lips meet. With her bottom lip trapped between my lips, I lightly suck on it, making her moan into our kiss.

I can taste the peppermint on her breath and I lean back, furrowing my eyebrows.

"When did you brush your teeth?"

"Earlier, before you woke up. I even had a quick shower."

"Really?" I ask in shock, now recognizing the fresh scent of her body wash and shampoo. "I can't believe I didn't hear anything."

"That's because I was quiet as a mouse. Plus you must've needed the rest."

"Mm, you really are the best girlfriend."

"I know I am," she giggles, making me laugh. "Alright, all joking aside, do you want me to show you how the shower works?" I grin at her question. "Oh, you really are the cheeky one, hey?"

"I'd like to think so, yeah," I smugly say and a loud grumble from my stomach takes me by surprise.

"You weren't kidding when you said you were famished."

"In my defense, I worked up quite an appetite with you last night."

"Mhm," she hums cutely, taking my hands in hers and she leads me into the loo. "Okay, if you stand here, I'll get you a towel and a wash rag. The tub is oh . . . about a foot-and-a-half high."

"I know you've already had a shower this morning, but would you care to join me now?"

"Uhm, I . . . it's just that . . . I'm just going to say it; I don't think the two of us will fit comfortably in the shower."

She sounds embarrassed in her tone and it honestly breaks my heart. I know there's no possible way her statement is true because I've held her in my arms. I know her size, I know her curves and I know she imagines herself bigger than she actually is.

Even though it's how she feels, I'm going to bring her skill of mathematics in her architectural degree into the matter to help put it into perspective.

"You mentioned the height of the tub as being a foot-and-a-half, yeah?"

"Yeah, I'd say it's about that."

"And the width?"

"It's standard width."

"It's not a custom-sized tub," I muse and she hums in response. "So there should be no problem for both of us to have a shower together. The mathematics are there. I think your mind just needs to catch up."

She doesn't say anything and I'm starting to wonder if I crossed the line this time. I take a step towards her, reaching out for her and she places her hand in mine.

"You're right," she says, wrapping her arms around my shoulders and I place my hands on her waist. "You'd think the analytical in me would be stronger than my emotional self."

"It's okay, love. It'll take time. I just don't want you to hold yourself back because of your mind playing tricks on you."

She exhales a heavy breath, moving closer and she rests her head on my chest. As I hold her in my arms, I rest my head on top of hers and gently sway us. A loud growl from my stomach is the comedic relief we need in this moment and I press a kiss on her head before leaning back.

"So, what do you say?"

"Hmm, I say . . . do you fancy a warm shower or hot?"

I grin at her answer, "Hot. Which do you fancy?"

"I guess this is another similarity we share," she cups my cheeks and pecks my lips. "I like it hot, too."

I growl in response as she pulls away from my embrace and I hear the squeak of metal before the steady stream of water pelting onto the tiles.

"Would you like for me to get the bar of soap and shampoo and conditioner bottles from your toiletry bag?"

"If you don't mind, sure," I say, untying my robe's belt and I shrug it off. "Is there a hook on the back of the door, love?"

"Huh? Oh my uhm, mmm, oh I'm sorry. Just lost my train of thought for a second there. Yeah, yes, there's a-a hook."

"Are you okay there, love?" I ask, knowing full-well she's flustered by the fact I'm naked.

"Huh? Yes, m'fine. Here, hand me your robe and I'll hang it up . . . God . . . I-I think the water's hot enough," she says and reach out towards the sound of her voice and I feel her naked arm.

"Mm, I think you're hot enough," I pull her to me and hold her in my arms, quickly realizing that she's naked as well.

"We still need to work on your flirty lines, but I'll admit that one was good," she giggles. "C'mon, let's get in now. Do you want me to go first?"

"Yeah, if you don't mind, that way you can help me, again, if you don't mind."

"Don't mind at all, love," she pecks my lips, taking me by surprise and she guides me over to the bathtub. "I'm stepping in now. Okay, it's your turn."

I raise my leg up, using my toes to feel the edge of the tub to feel how high it is. Once I reach the edge, I slowly lower my foot into the tub, still holding onto her hand. I bring my other leg inside and suddenly the steam surrounds us so I can only assume she's closed the curtain.

"You were right."

I grin, "Right about what?"

"That both of us would fit in here. Now a bath, that's a different story. We'd most definitely not fit."

"But do you take baths?"

"Not at all."

"Neither do I, so it's not something we need to worry about then," I reason, smoothing my hands around her curvy hips. "And right now, I want to snog my girlfriend in the shower."

She smooths her hands over my chest to around my shoulders and I lean down in anticipation of a kiss. I inhale sharply at the feel of her lips capturing mine and I pull her closer to me in hopes she can feel how much she turns me on.***

A/N: Happy last Sunday of the decade, everyone! Who's excited for 2020?

Thank y'all so much for reading, voting and commenting on this book. Harry, JJ and I appreciate it and we love all of you!

Much Love.
❤️❤️❤️❤️