Since We're Alone |NH|

Chapter 51

Niall's POV

"Ohh, death be not proud and take me already!" Ophelia said, walking through her door.  She kicked off her shoes and fell face first into her couch.  I couldn't help but giggle at her.

"What are you laughing at?" She mumbled, her voice muffled by the pillow.

"You.  Miss Overdramatic."

I kicked off my own shoes as I closed the door behind me.  Standing there in the dark, the light from the streetlamp outside coming in, I looked down at her form on the couch. 

"Niall?" She mumbled, her face still half buried in a pillow.  Before I could answer, she started to roll over.  "Niall, did you—"

Thud.  Onto the floor she fell.  I tried to hold in my laughter but failed miserably.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't be laughing but, that was funny. Are you okay?"

"Ha, ha, ha," she said, rather sarcastically, draping an arm over her eyes.  "Very funny."

"I think so," I said, trying to stop laughing. 

"I think someone has had too many Old-Fashioneds tonight."

"Probably," I said as I laid down on the floor next to her.  "I blame the cute bartender.  Think she was trying to get me drunk."

"Oh, yeah?"

"Yeah.  And I think I let her."  I rolled over and faced her.  "She was really cute."

She rolled over to face me.  "Hmm, another girl I got to worry about?  Didn't I already show you how I'm the better choice?"

"Ohh, you did.  But, I might need some reminding, though."  I grinned at her.

"Ohhh, I see."  She gave me an interesting look that I couldn't quite read.

She rolled back over onto her back and draped an arm over her eyes, again.  Her skin glowed in the lamplight.  The room then went quiet again so I pulled out my phone and opened up Spotify, pulling up a playlist that I felt suited the mood. 

"I love this song," she whispered.

"One of my favorites," I said.

"Mine, too."  I picked up her hand in mine and started playing with her fingers.

"So, I take it I won't see much of you for the next few days?" I asked.

She sighed, "Yeah, probably.  Ugh, I hate finals.  Why'd you have to come along now?"  She giggled a little.

"Sorry for my shit timing," I said.

"Oh, I'm just joking with you.  I am, however, looking forward to this little barbecue you're going to have.  It'll be a welcome end to this semester.  And a great kick off to my two weeks of freedom before I start my summer course.  But, I warn you, my social anxiety might kick in."

I looked up at her.  "Yeah?"

She rolled over onto her stomach and laid her head on top of her crossed arms, looking at me.  "Yeah.  Just get a few drinks in me and I'll loosen up.  Just takes me a minute to warm up to people especially in a crowd situation.  Meeting Mully and Tara individually was more ideal, although still nerve wracking since, obviously, I want them to like me."

"And they do," I whispered, running my fingers along her face and into her hair.  "Just let me know if you need anything from me, okay?  Hand to hold.  Words of reassurance."

"Okay, I need all of those."  She tried to laugh it off but I could tell she wasn't kidding.

"I've got you," I said.  She looked at me and smiled.  "You know, I'm really starting to like these late night talks in the dark.  Something special about them." She smiled at me, her eyes heavy with sleep.  "Ophelia?"

"Niall," she whispered.

"I don't know where this is going but I want you to know that I like you.  And that I want to see where this goes.  With you.  And only you."

She had closed her eyes but opened them again and looked at me, watching me, the soft smile never leaving her face.  I, however, was terrified; of her not wanting the same thing as me; of me moving too quickly; of opening myself up to someone again.  I was terrified of it all.

"I like the sound of that," she whispered, reaching her hand out to cup my face.  "I like you, too, Niall.  Only you."

She scooted closer to me and lightly kissed my lips.  There were a couple of soft kisses before the sound of a familiar song came on; one I had always had a strange urge to dance to. And I decided that this moment was the right time for it. I stood up and reached down to take her hand, which she gladly let me do.  Helping her to her feet, I brought her hands around my neck, feeling as her fingers intertwined around my neck.  I slowly ran my fingers back down her arms, feeling the goosebumps rise to the surface of her skin.

"I've always wanted to dance to this song, for some reason," I whispered, my breath shaky.  "Dance with me?" I hit the rewind button on my phone so the song could start over.

She simply smiled at me as I lightly started swaying us. Pressing my cheek against hers, I started singing softly in her ear,

"Ohh, now I don't hardly know her
But I think I could love her
Crimson and clover

Ah, I wish she'd come walking over
Now I've been waiting to show her
Crimson and clover

Over and over..."

I've heard this song countless times growing up.  But never had it had such a strange impact.  She pressed her body further into mine.  Her breathing, soft against my neck, sent chills up and down my spine.  I moved my head slightly, running my forehead across hers.  I kept one hand on her back as I brought the other to her head, tangling my fingers into her hair.  She moved her head a little to look up at me, brushing her lips against mine before I needed to taste and feel more of her.  I tightened my grip on her as I pressed my lips onto hers, each kiss different from the last; each movement jolting through me. The way she felt against me; the warmth radiating off of her, filled me with something indescribable. 

She bit my bottom lip which elicited a strange sound from my throat; the same sound she had garnered from me a few nights before.  The feelings rising in me I hadn't truly felt in so long; or maybe had never truly felt; it was all so new to me and for me.

I started to move us back towards her bedroom but, somehow I still hadn't managed to sort out where everything was in her apartment and ran us both into the corner of her hallway and the living room.

"Jesus Christ!  Why can I not figure out how to get to your bedroom without running us into something?!"  I heard her stifle a laugh.  "Why do we never turn on the lights?"

"Oh, hush, Niall.  I can see in the dark, remember?  Put your hand in mine.  I've got you."  

And with her hand in mine, I followed her into the dark.