The Diary of Cupid

The Lake

"Sorry I'm late!" Beckett yelled, bursting through the trees. I tried to stifle my smile, but I couldn't help it - something about him brought it out of me.
"I'll look past it," I replied, trying to appear composed like Karsyn suggested, watching in amusement as he rushed to kick off his shoes. But all hope was lost when he grabbed the hem of his shirt and pulled it off in one fluid motion.

Everyone on the Hockey team was ripped, so I knew that he was muscular, and still it took me by surprise. He had broad shoulders and toned arms, defined abs and a chest that made me flush.

"You're staring," Becket grinned. My cheeks coloured instantly and I dove into the water, not wanting him to see my face. "Hey!" I heard him shout, his voice muffled by the water. The next second, there was a loud splash of water by my feet and Becket appeared in the water underneath me. Even distorted by the ripples of water, his mischievous grin was clear. He grabbed my feet and hoisted me onto his shoulders, lifting me out of the water as he stood up. I tried my hardest to balance myself, but even with him supporting my ankles, I still fell face-first into the water.

I resurfaced, the two of us laughing as I pulled my wet hair off my face.

"You know," He began slowly, swimming a little closer. I tilted my head. "You can stare if you want." It was impossible to hide my smile - not with his coy expression.
"I don't know," I blushed. "I don't want to make you uncomfortable."
"Bryony," He laughed, reaching out to hold my hand. "I've spent months trying to get you to look at me - I don't want you to stop now," And gently, he pressed my hand to his chest.

If it was possible, I blushed harder. But still, I couldn't help myself.

Gently, I trailed my fingers across his chest. The reaction was instant - his entire body tensed. I stopped, looking at him questioningly in the eyes.

"Don't stop," He whispered, pulling me closer by my waist, his eyes falling shut. Smiling, I continued, my hands tracing the stark outline of his collarbone, to the curve of his Adam's apple, my other hand appearing as it trailed back down to his shoulders. Softly, his hands wrapped my legs around his waist, and he pressed a gentle kiss on my cheek before resting his chin on my shoulder, letting out a contented sigh.

"You know I'm falling in love with you," He whispered, his lips brushing my shoulder. "Right?"
"I know," I smiled. He lifted his face off my shoulder to face me, revealing his goofy grin.
"No, I don't think you do," He laughed. "I genuinely don't know where my brain goes when I'm around you - you make it go blank. I think I'm going a little crazy," He confessed. I chuckled. "I love you Bryony," He said, his tone more serious than before, emotion flooding his eyes. "I really, really love you." I couldn't help but smile. I knew what he wanted from me, what he was willing me to say. And for the first time in what felt like an eternity, I was finally ready to say it.
"I love you too," I whispered, my eyes locked on his.

His entire body froze.

"C-Could you say that again?"
"Beckett Arden Laurier," I laughed, pecking him on the cheek. "I love you."

His reaction was instant. His grip tightened on my waist as he lifted me into the air, spinning me around, screaming,

"DID YOU HEAR THAT WORLD! BRYONY OLERIA LOVES ME!"

And before I could shush him, he pulled me back into him, one arm wrapped around my waist, the other cradling my head as he drew me into a kiss. His lips pressed into mine, moving softly, slowly. The forest blurred around us as I tried to bring us even closer, my arms folding around his neck. My hands found his hair in an attempt to anchor myself, surprised at the desperation roaring inside my stomach. It was like he had lit a match inside me, burning with a need for contact, closeness. His lips parted against mine, whispering,

"I love you," Over and over again against my lips until we both had to pull away, gasping for breath. I pressed my forehead against his, his hand reaching out to take mine, pressing the back of my palm against his warm lips.

"I'm yours Bryony," He whispered, an intensity of emotions burning in his eyes. "Yours forever."