No Winter Lasts Forever

Chapter Ten

The following morning James woke to the view of the ceiling. Memories of the night before rushed to his mind but seemed to be moving in slow motion. He could still feel Will's lips on his, how soft she felt, how good she tasted. I don't think I'll ever forget kissing her. James sighed softly and looked towards the window to see that it was daylight, then noticed the bundle that laid next to him, still fast asleep. When did she join me? Did she have a nightmare? Did I?

James rolled to his side and looked at Willow. Her hair was a mess around her head and the blanket was bundled up around her neck, which made him smile. Slowly he reached out with his human hand and gently caressed the side of her cheek.

Will turned slightly into James' touch and smiled peacefully, as if she didn't have a care in the world.

He felt his heart swell with love for this girl and pulled his hand back quickly. Love? Do I love her? It's only been three months... He sighed softly. He'd loved someone once, before everything went wrong. He closed his eyes, trying desperately to push back the pain. But when he opened them again, Willow's bright green eyes were staring back at him. "Morning," he murmured. Willow rubbed one eye with an extended pinky finger. She yawned widely, making her eyes turn all squinty and beautiful. What if she's just like this when she wakes up after sex?

"What are you thinking?" she asked, meeting his eyes.

"Kissing you last night," James blurted, shaking his mind free of the thought he had.

Willow blushed lightly. "Really?" she whispered.

James smiled. "Yeah."

She moved closer towards him, her nose almost touching his and their breath mixed together. She leaned close, her eyelashes fluttering slightly, her soft, rosy lips slightly parted. "I want to kiss you now."

James swallowed hard and nodded, feeling a slight sting in his throat from being so nervous. Before he could stop himself, he reached over, cupped her face in his hands and kissed her lightly. He tried not to deepen the kiss, not wanting to make things more than they were supposed to be.

Before James realized what happened Willow had wrapped her arms around him and kissed him deeper. He ran his hands through Willow's tangled hair while holding onto her, feeling how tightly she was clinging to him. But as much as he wanted to continue, he knew he couldn't go any further or they would wake up Steve.

So, reluctantly, he broke away from her. She stared deeply into his bright blue eyes, her breathing heavy. She came to him again and gave him another long kiss before slowly pulling away. James lay there, watching her, mesmerized by those stunning green eyes. He watched as her lips curled up into a shy smile, her cheeks turning a rosy color.

"When did you join me last night?" James asked. "Did you have a nightmare? Did I?"

Willow shook her head. "I just wanted... to be with you."

"Is that all?" James asked gently. Willow nodded, smiling. James smiled too and leaned in to kiss her again. "You're beautiful," James murmured, breaking the kiss.

Willow grinned, blushing again. "Thanks." He ran his fingers lightly along her smooth forehead and she let out a sigh. "Can we keep doing this?" she asked softly.

James smiled and took her hands in his own. "If you want to."

Willow gave him a small smile when a knock sounded on the bedroom door. "I think Steve has other ideas," she murmured.

Grumbling to himself, James turned his head towards his bedroom door. "Yeah?" he called.

"Have you seen Willow?" Steve asked. "I went to wake her for breakfast, but her bedroom door is open, and she's gone."