I led her into the bathroom. I turned on the taps before I slowly helped her undress. The contrast of her red hair against her pale skin made my pulse quicken and I had to suppress my want for her. It didn't help when her emerald eyes met mine and I felt an awareness between us. I had never felt about anyone the way I felt about her. I loved the person who I was when she was with me. Once she stepped inside the shower, I undressed to join her.
Heat steamed around us as the warm water cascaded down our bodies. The sight of her beauty caught me straight in the chest. She looked over her shoulder when my hands reached for the soap and began to lather her body. When I was done, she did the same for me.
It was hard not to want to take her right then and there but I restrained myself. This was more than just a physical thing between us. This went deeper than that. I wanted to take care of her, know that she was safe and protected.
We spent a few more minutes rinsing the soap off our bodies before I switched the shower off. I stepped back to allow her out first. She reached for a towel and began drying herself off when I got out of the shower. I dried myself off before I took her towel from her and helped to get the excess water out of her hair.
Back in the room, she put some pajamas on and I pulled on some sweats. I got into bed and opened the covers for her to join me. I lay with her in my arms, shutting out the chaos of the events that had led up to this point. Instead I just enjoyed the completeness I felt when I was with her.
She propped herself up on her elbow as she trailed her fingers across my bare chest, each small touch sending a thrill through me. It was intense how the faintest touch could send me into a spiral. Everything with her was amplified, including my feelings that felt like they were expanding in my chest.
"Kyle," she said, my name rolling off her tongue. She peered closer. "Will you kiss me?"
"You don't have to ask me twice," I said, turning onto my side. My hand reached and caught her at the back of her neck. Pulling her closer, I pressed my lips to hers.
We were both gasping when we stopped.
"I want you to love me," she said, unable to look me in the eye. She was shy and that made her even more attractive.
I sat up and kissed her again. This time there was intent in the action, leading to something more.
We discarded our clothes in a hurry of activity. I crushed her body beneath mine, reveling in the feel of my skin gliding against hers. Our mouths fused together. Our bodies were straining together, needing to be the closest two people could.
Afterward, I rolled onto my back and she lay tucked in beside me. My body still hummed from our encounter as I held her.
"I love you," I whispered. I peered down at her face. Her eyes were closed. She was asleep.
I tightened my hold on her for a moment, needing to clasp her close to me before I relaxed my arms around her. She murmured something in her sleep and snuggled closer to me. I swear I felt my heart summersault at the gesture.
As I lay there, thoughts of the Keepers began to filter into my mind. Even though I didn't want to think about what lay ahead, I couldn't put my head in the sand and pretend everything was fine.
That night we slept together, our bodies in tune with each other even in sleep. As she moved onto her side, my body would mold to hers, keeping her warm in my embrace.
Crystal
I woke up first. I stretched, and Kyle moved beside me. My eyes found his face as I lay beside him. I wanted to reach out and touch his lips with my fingers. My body felt achy from our night before.
If someone had told me this was going to happen, I would not have believed them. So much had happened. Feeling restless but not wanting to wake him up, I slid out of bed, trying to be as quiet as possible.
I got dressed and decided to go downstairs to get some breakfast.
"Good morning," Nate said, greeting me.
"Morning," I said back.
"It's good to see you," he said with a genuine smile. He was standing at the stove, making some tea. I stood beside him.
"It's good to be back," I said. This had always been my home and the people were like an extended family, including him.
I made some breakfast while Nate drank his tea. We talked, and when he was finished with his drink, he rinsed his cup and put it in the sink before he left.
I finished my breakfast. Afterward I went outside, thinking it would be a good idea to pop in to see Bay. Pack members were busy with their daily tasks. Dean spotted me and came up to talk to me.
"I'm glad you got back safe," he said.
"Thank you for your help," I replied, referring to the night he helped Bay free Flynn.
"You're welcome." His eyes were serious, too serious.
