I Tripped and Fell in Love With You

Chapter 5: Secrets

Obito woke up to Emi tracing little circles on the plains of his chest.

He curled his large hand over her hips until it cupped the other side of her waist and he rocked back, pulling her in, keeping her too close to witness the tragedy of flesh he hadn't the courage to show anyone else, ever.

To most, this type of embrace was saved for lovers after a long night, but it was a surface level intimacy. Parts of him were hidden behind a wall of anxiety he wasn't ready to tackle just yet, despite their breakthrough yesterday. He had opened up and she accepted him. Not only accepted him, she liked him.

Obito pressed his mouth to her hair. Maybe he was growing too attached too soon, but he wanted to experience her sunlight, to have her hold him, take care of him, soothe his worries away. He would do anything to have her raw kindness bestowed upon him morning, noon, and night. Well, he would do most things. Being vulnerable and trusting was not his forte.

What was left on the blanket should've grossed her out, but to Emi, it was evidence he was attracted to her. Carnally, emotionally, romantically, the specificity didn't matter. Even if it was a weakness in the moment, it was a chance. A chance she could get under his skin, feel his love. Some relationships started physically and led to more. She had a chance for more.

Emi raised her head to force his lips to her temple. Each beat of his heart pulsed against her jaw; it was music to her ears.

"Good morning," Emi murmured.

"Morning," he whispered. He drew his leg up hers and tossed it over while sliding his hand up her shirt to her shoulder blades. The shirt moved up as he dug his thumb in and swept it along the length of her muscles, returning the favor for the massage. The fabric bundled below her breasts and their stomachs touched, mixing their body heat.

In their new position, she had to veer back to look at him, and he had to duck his head to see her tooth-aching sincere smile. Sun broke through the edges of the blackout panels, and in the low light, he smiled back

"I don't even wanna check the time," she said.

"Yeah, you'd have a heart attack."

She groaned and pressed her cheek to where it begged to be, over the soft drum of his heart. It spiked at her exploring hands; one grazing his side, the other down the trail of thick hair over his abs.

He wriggled from her hands, poorly concealing his laughter. "Stop! Stop, that tickles!" Ever up to no good, Emi skirted her fingertips over the jumping muscles, cackling at his bucking. "That's it!"

Obito ripped the blankets off of them and topped her, back hunched, hands poised above her ribs. His taunting had no effect. All gloat fell from his face. He stared down at her smirk. Her annoyingly alluring lopsided grin, confident she was triumphant despite being at his mercy.

"Go ahead, but remember where my legs are," she said, prodding her knee on his inner thigh. "Plus." She gripped the cushions of the bed and scooted down until her face was under his and her feet hit the side of the van. Gripping his chin, she pulled him in for a kiss, but just before their mouths touched, she held up a finger between them. "We have a lot to do today. First, I have to finish my registration and find my shipping container-"she held up a second finger, swiping his plush bottom lip"-Then we have to set up the tent." He closed his mouth, giving three of her fingers a gentle kiss. "And finally, the fun part, sorting and tagging everything that needs a price tag. That's your job."

His eyes glinted at her, amused that she would not only distract him from exacting his revenge, but refuse to kiss him knowing how much she wanted it as well. "Sounds fun," he said, muffled by her fingers.