Robyn

~Chapter 19~

We lay in the dark, my head resting against his strong chest. His fingers dance in the ringlets of my hair while I task myself by playing with his free hand. The movie ended, although I can say I did not pay attention to the ending at all. My mind was too busy focusing on Ryland and his touch, but hopefully I can finish the movie later.

Once the movie ended, we decided to turn off the television being that neither of us were watching it. And so, here we have been for the past fifteen minutes. I listen to the steady rate of his heart. Being so close to him soothes me strangely. The desire to have someone close to me is new, and I never would have thought I'd feel this way about Ryland. Yet here I am.

Ryland presses his lips to my head, and it takes my whole being not to look up and press my lips onto his. I've already done that a lot tonight. He takes a deep breath and releases. Dropping his hand, I glance up my eyes searching his profile in the darkness. "What's wrong?"

He shakes his head. "Nothing. Just thinking."

"About what?"

"Us. More so you."

Sitting up, I tilt my head. "What about us?"

"I don't know. I just wanted this for a long time, and now that I finally have it," he pauses, "I don't know. I just don't want to push you so fast that I lose you."

I examine his face, wishing I could see the softness I know is in eyes. "Don't worry about it. Don't even think about that." Because I don't want to lose you.

His hands grab my face, cupping my chin in his palms. His thumb makes small circles. "I love you Pige."

A myriad of emotions float around, searching for a way to express themselves. My eyes never leave his as I try to grasp the words forming on my tongue. Unable to place them into words, I lean in to give a soft peck.

"You make me so," I pause, trying to find the right word, "happy."

Pressing his hand on my back, he eases me down to lay on his chest before wrapping his arms around me. "That's all I hope for," he replies, snuggling his chin into my hair.

Soon after, we both fall asleep, comforted by each other's embrace. When I wake up the next morning, I find myself rolled to the other side of the bed. Turning over, I reach out my hand trying to feel for Ryland. Unable to find him, I open my eyes, seeing his side completely vacant. Grabbing my cell phone, I hop out of the bed, hearing the clanking of dishes below. I make my way to the bathroom, before venturing down the stairs.

Following the noise, I enter the kitchen to see Ryland standing at the counter. He has set up two bowls filled with Lucky Charms cereal. Ryland spots me immediately, and gives a weak smile. "I can't cook, but everyone likes Lucky Charms right?"

"What if I told you I didn't?"

"Oh then we have other cereals to choose from or we can go out and—"