Unwillingly Arranged(Liam Payne/One Direction Fanfic)

Chapter Twenty-Two (Liam's POV)

"I love you.."

Did I really just say that? Did I really just let those words fly out into the open? Oh my god, she doesn't love me back that's why she's staring at me like I've grown a fifth head. Oh my god, help.

I bit my lip, my brown eyes flicking back and forth between her bright green ones, searching for some sort of emotion, some answer or reply to the phrase I had just uttered. But she continued to sit there, her cheeks flushed and pink lips parted slightly as she let the words sink in.

"I love you too, Liam," Sage finally whispered back, a smile flitting onto her features. Relief washed through me like rapid flood-waters, and I couldn't help but lean forward and wrap my arms around her, pulling me onto my lap and hugging her tightly against my body. 

She buried her face into the crook of my neck, her unruly blonde hair flying out around her face and tickling the bare skin where it touched. But I didn't care. Right now, everything was perfect. 

After a few moments, her head lifted from my skin, and she caught my eye contact again, her lips parting to say something. But she hesitated, looking down to her lap. I didn't allow her to do that for very long, tilting her head up so we were face to face again. "What is it?" I whispered.

"I-can.." She continued to hesitate, her eyes darting down my face before back up to my eyes. "Can I kiss you?"

I couldn't help but laugh at her cuteness, but hurt flashed through her eyes none the less, and she tried to climb away from me. But I kept my grip, ceasing my laughing and turning her head up again to look at me. "You don't have to ask me that, you know."

"But-I, you know I'm awkward!" She spit out, the side of Sage I loved coming out as her face turned red in frustration rather than embarrassment. I chuckled again, cupping her face in my one hand and gently running my thumb along the soft skin of her cheek. 

"Then let me help you," I then connected our lips.

It was the fourth time I had kissed her in some way, shape, or form. And it was just as shocking and sweet every time. The soft complecture of her chapped lips moving against mine, the thumping of her heart that could be felt through the touch in my hands, the cliche' sparks and butterflies that shot through my whole body. 

Her hand snaked behind my head, apperently feeling more confident in herself, her other hand rested lightly on my shoulder as I took this oppurtunity to deepen the kiss. I knew not to push Sage's limits, but she didn't seem to tense up.

Only a few moments later, she pulled away, biting her lip and looking at me shyly. Her cheeks flushed brightly, but she still managed to whisper, "I feel like we should be sleeping. It's three in the morning."

"Yeah, probably," I chuckled, taking her off my lap and settling her back down on her side of the bed. She snuggled back under the covers, the thin sheets swallowing her small body. I ducked down, laying my head onto the now cool pillow as I pulled her closer to me again. Her tiny body fitted to me like a puzzle piece, as she nuzzled her face into the crook of my neck. Her eyelashes tickled my skin  as she closed her eyes. 

"Night," She whispered. 

"Good night," I answered, tightening my grip around her. I was sure she was asleep seconds later, but I still kissed her forehead, smoothing her blonde hair away from her face and murmuring, "Love you.."

~

I woke up early the next morning, much earlier than Sage probably would have. My arms were still tight around her tiny figure, her hair again flopping everywhere. She was sound asleep, her chest rising and falling gently, her mouth slightly parted with her eyelashes fluttering gently over her cheeks.