She tries to pull away, but my arms only tighten as I don’t know who needs who right this minute.
“Actually, I had just come in and heard you. Scared the hell out of me, I thought someone was assaulting you.” I slide my arms under her, “Scoot over, I am practically hanging onto this side of the bed with my teeth.”
Lying beside her, I pull her into my chest, tucking the blanket between us so she doesn’t feel any more uncomfortable than she already does. Tucking her head under my chin, I rub her back gently, and it’s not long before her entire body relaxes and her breathing settles. I know I should get up and go back to my own bed, but damn, she feels good in my arms, and I hate to wake her by moving. I must have closed my eyes at some point because sunlight coming through the window wakes me up. When I open my eyes, I see a smiling face looking up at me, and I realize I have kept her close with an arm lying across her waist.
“Good morning … you snore.”
“Morning … well, it must not have been too bad, you’re still here.”
“You’re warm and quite comfortable, even if you do snore.”
Obviously, since I have no brains and I am fighting the urge to kiss her senseless, I start tickling her.
“Comfortable,comfortable?!What the hell, woman? I am not an old couch!”
“Stop, stop … you’re gonna make me pee myself.”
I don’t know who is laughing the hardest when she climbs over me, flashing those long, trim legs, and running toward the lavatory. The moment I hear the door slide closed, I realize I’ve slept in the bed with her all night and literally woke up with a huge smile on my face, and I find myself craving more of this type of happiness.
I should get up and respect her privacy, but the bed is comfy, and I am in no hurry to go anywhere. I hear her small feet walking through the room, and just as Jess steps next to the bed, I reach out, grabbing her with one arm around the waist, practically throwing her into the bed next to me. Her laughter echoes throughout the room, and I can’t help but smile as I lean up on one elbow above her.
“Excuse me, sir, but I believe you have invaded my territory. This is my side of the room.”
“I was saving a damsel in distress.”
“Ohhh, really! Did you defeat the monster?”
“I came in sword swinging, ready to defeat the dragon that was going to consume her, only to find out she was fighting me in her dream.”
“Did you promise to make it all better when you woke her up?”
“I did, but I fear she doesn’t believe me. Maybe this will help prove I am the good guy here. Stay put, I need to get something out of my coat.”
Grabbing my jacket off the floor, I rummage around the inside pocket until my hand finds the ring box. Looking back over my shoulder, I contemplate what to do next.
“Okay, shut your eyes.”
Jessica throws her arm over her eyes, and I open the box, holding it in front of her.
“It’s safe to look now.”
When she opens her eyes, hers seek my own before she sees the gold box.
“Jess, I know we are doing everything backward, and you are still learning to trust my words and actions, but I want you to have this. Yes, this is two-fold. I am a selfish ass who wants to show the world that you belong to me, but I also want you to know this is yours. Yes, this is a wedding ring, and I did pick it out specifically for you, because it’s … you … in a ring.
In the last few days I have come to care for you, possibly more than I should, and in a way, I already consider you mine. I know this was all just an act when this trip started, but … Hell! I am tripping all over my own words here. I want you to wear this and think of me every time you look at it. It is a gift.”
“You bought this forme?”
“I did, and I want you to know the story behind it, so everything is upfront. Tyberius asked me why a man of my caliber had not given his wife a ring. So yes, at first, I was buying it for all the wrong reasons, but not anymore. I truly care about you, Jess, and I would like to see where this goes. Either way, as I said before, the ring is yours.”
Picking up her small hand, I slide the ring on her finger. Then, because I can’t stop myself, I tip her chin up and gently kiss her soft lips. Her inexperience is instantly noticeable, but the thought of being the one to unlock the passion I know is hiding behind her innocence just about has me embarrassing myself.
When I lean back, her eyes are still closed, her cheeks flushed, and I can feel her trembling all over.
“Do you like it?
“What?”
