Unexpected Romance

Chapter 5

Natasha:
I guess I was sleeping really lightly because I hear Val's "Ah, shit." I jump out of my chair to see what's going on.

"Are you okay?" I ask her with very obvious worry in my voice.

"Oh hey, Nat," she says in a soft, weak voice.

She looks over at me and gives me a little smile so I return it. Her smile only lasts a second before she winces in pain.

"Are you okay? How do you feel?" I ask.

"It hurts." I put my hand on her head and stroke her hair gently.

"I know, Val."

She tries to get up but the pain stops her. She starts to tear up a little.

"Woah there. Where are you going, soldier?"

I want to smile at her but seeing her like this, in pain and with tears in her eyes, makes me unable to.

"I wanna change out of these clothes," she explains.

"Okay, want some help getting up?"

She just nods. I reach down to her and support her upper back so she's able to sit up. Once she's fully sitting up, she reaches up to put her arms around my neck and I gently grab her hips and stand her up.

We're standing a few inches apart, her hands still on the nape of my neck and my hands still on her hips. She stares right into my eyes. The same focused gaze she had when she was admiring the city. Her stare makes my heart jump out of my chest and puts butterflies in my stomach. Still staring into each other's eyes, I pull her hips closer to me so our bodies touch and our faces only an inch away. I can't resist her. I slide one hand from her hip to her lower back so I can still support her and bring my other hand to her face. I place my hand on her jaw, my index finger runs along her jaw, the rest on her neck. I put my thumb on her bottom lip then slowly slide my thumb to join the rest of my fingers as I pull her face to mine, interlocking our lips.

We kiss for a good 20 seconds when she slowly pulls away. God, I want more but I don't want to push it.

"Did I go too far?" I ask.

"Not far enough," she responds with a smirk.

I chuckle and shake my head. "Want to get changed now?"

"Sure," she weakly whispers.

I walk her over to the other side of the bed so it's easier for her to get dressed. I get her some clothes and she starts to take off her shirt so I know it's my cue to leave.

I go to open the door but I hear, "Nat wait." I turn around to see what she needs.

"I can't... I can't do it myself. I need help. Can you?"

I hesitate but happily agree. "Of course."

She tugs on the bottom of her shirt, indicating to me she wants me to start there. I carefully pull her shirt off over her head. I have her new shirt in hand but she stops me from putting it on.

She points to the blood on her bra. "I need a clean one."

I pause and just look her in the eyes, trying not to look anywhere else. "There are clean ones in my suitcase if you don't mind," she adds.

I grab her a clean one and get on the bed behind her, out of respect also so I don't have the ability to stare.

Valerie:
I can't stop thinking about that kiss. I'm lost in thought when I feel Nat climb on the bed behind me, which snaps me out of my head.

"Oh wow," I hear her say. "Your tattoo. It's beautiful," she tells me as she traces her fingers down my back.

I have a tattoo of the phases of the moon down my spine. Her touch sends shivers through my body. I want her in every way I can and judging from that kiss, I think she feels the same.

I turn my head to look over my shoulder at her behind me. "Natasha." She looks up at me. "Can I ask you something?"

"Go ahead," she replies.

"What was that? The kiss." I really want her.

"If I must explain myself, I couldn't help myself. I've wanted to do that for some time now."

She goes back to helping me change clothes. I can feel her shaking as she unclips my bra. After I'm all changed, she helps me into the main room and sits me down on the couch.

Natasha:
"You need rest today so I didn't plan anything for us. I'm thinking we can just stay in and watch movies if that's okay." I do wish we could go out today but of course, her health is most important right now.

She really caught me off guard by asking about the kiss. I was hoping it would explain itself. We woke up a little later today so luckily this day is already going by fast, it's already noon.

"Want anything to eat? Are you hungry?" I ask, hoping she says yes because I am but I don't like eating if I'm the only one.

"Yeah, okay. Thanks."

I don't feel like making anything so I just throw some chips in a bowl and call it a meal. The rest of the day goes by in a blur and before we know it, we're back in bed, about to sleep.