Since We're Alone |NH|

Chapter 35

Niall's POV

I fell asleep fairly quickly considering the circumstances.  When I woke up, I was immensely uncomfortable and the light was coming in through the window.  I jerked at the covers a bit and realized I was uncomfortable because I had my pants on.  Looking over my shoulder at Ophelia, the night's events came back to my mind.  Surprisingly, the moments following my failure were the ones I kept replaying.  She had been so understanding and nonjudgmental.  It was strange considering I had spent so much time listening to Maggie mouth off at me every chance she got.

I started to roll over more and bring her closer to me but I got stuck in the damn covers again.  And the sunlight was bothering me.  I slowly got out of bed and drew the curtains closed, before removing my pants and climbing back into her bed.

I curled up against her sleeping form, draping an arm around her.  I gave her shoulder a kiss, tracing my finger along a couple of the marks I had left before things went a completely different direction last night.  I was still so embarrassed and aggravated with myself, but she had been so understanding and miraculously had eased my mind with her words and her actions.  She still had wanted to kiss me and hold me after everything; she still wanted me around.  It was a feeling I hadn't felt in years.  And I wanted it to last. 

I closed my eyes and inhaled the scent of her skin and her hair, the comfort of it lulling me back to sleep.  

When I awoke the next time, I felt her breath steadily blowing onto my neck each time she exhaled. I opened my eyes and her face was tilted up with her chin resting slightly on my shoulder.  Looking at her, I found myself getting lost in how peaceful she looked.  She inhaled sharply but then snuggled in closer to me, bringing an arm around me and moving her face just enough for her lips and nose to brush against my shoulder.  I loved the way her skin felt against mine.

A few minutes later, she moved her arm and began to lightly run her fingertips up and down my arm.  Knowing she was awake, I squeezed her a bit, bringing her in closer to me.  She tilted her head a bit and lightly kissed my neck just below my ear.  When she had nipped at my ear last night, I couldn't even describe the feeling it gave me.  I honestly didn't know that spot was so sensitive until that moment. Which could mean that Maggie didn't quite know what she was doing either. She never elicited that kind of response from me. She never set my skin on fire. 

After another minute or so of her running her hands along my back, I couldn't resist the urge to bury my face in her neck and kiss her shoulder which had become bare due to her shirt being way too big for her.  As I did so, I felt her body inch even further into me and her hand began playing with my hair.

As I continued to lightly kiss her neck, I remembered the last thing I had heard her say before I fell asleep.  She had to have thought I was asleep.  Her words were so soft, but I could hear the sincerity in them.  But I also needed to see it. I needed to know I hadn't just dreamt it all.  I pulled away from her a bit to see her face, bring my hand to her cheek.  When she opened her eyes, I searched them hoping to find an answer to all of my concerns.  I needed to see the truth in what I had heard her say.

Despite the sleepiness in her eyes, she looked right into mine and smiled.  We didn't say anything to each other but I felt she knew what I was looking for and was allowing me to find it.

After awhile, I lightly ran my hand across her face before moving in closer and bringing my lips to hers.  The kisses were short and sweet.  I could've kissed her all day.  Instead, I pulled away a bit and looked at her again. 

"Morning," I whispered with a smile.

"Morning," she said, giving me a sleepy smile.  "Sleep okay?"

"All things considered, yes."